Diversion Services

Addresses three critical areas primarily presenting in challenged students: Attendance (truancy), Behavior (disciplinary, referrals, bullying, fights, class disruptions, etc), and School Disengagement

Our wraparound approach provides a continuum of services for schools and students that is modeled upon a paradigm of nationally recognized evidence and research-based programs proven to have achieved dramatic results in improving attendance, grade point averages, and behavior in our schools.

Diversion Programs Include:

All our Diversion Services are modeled on OJJDP research and evidenced-based programs. Please contact for more information on our Diversion Services and how to bring them to your school/community at (315) 733-SSMV (7768) or info@ssmv.org.

Intervention Strategies

These support services are modeled on research and evidence-based programs and include:

  • Bully Prevention – school-wide awareness and education and target small group activities.

  • Check In Check Out – short-term monitoring program to address specific behavior issues in school by redirecting, reminding, and reinforcing positive behavior from our staff.

  • Crisis Intervention Support – provides de-escalation techniques that are used at various stages during a crisis including behavior management and physical safety interventions.
  • Family Conflict Resolution – using the same principals of mediation, we work with the whole family (if appropriate) typically as a one-time intervention with one or two follow up contacts with the family.
  • Grief and Loss Support– trained staff act as a supportive listener and help students/families/staff use their voice to heal in healthy and/or creative ways and share memories and feelings in a comforting environment.
  • Mediation – designed to divert youth from escalating volatile situations that have the potential to result in suspension, expulsion, or a criminal act.
  • Mentoring – social skills, coping strategies, positive self-esteem, resiliency, and how to self-regulate in stressful situations to build positive and supportive relationships and address minor concerns that could lead to more serious consequences.

  • Resiliency Skills – evidence- and research-based models to create topics and activities focused on improving and obtaining social skills through shared discussion, games, role-playing, journal writing and recreational activities.

  • Reset! – works with students who have difficulty implementing social skills and act out inappropriately to negative feelings.

Urban Leadership Institute (ULI)

ULI is a free 5-day conference for accepted high school students designed to empower the next generation of leaders. ULI works on key leadership traits like communication, decision making, and teamwork, as well service-learning projects. At ULI, youth:

  • Develop valuable leadership and team building skills
  • Experience hands on activities
  • Build their resume for college and career
  • Learn how to get involved in their community
  • Gain a new perspective on the effect they can have on the world

ULI SUMMER CAMP – August 18-22, 2025

The theme of this year’s ULI Camp is First Responder Academy!

Students will visit locations such as Utica Police and Fire Depts, and the 911 call center, to name a few.  They will get hands-on, interactive and highly-informative training and skills by experienced and knowledgeable local first responders.

We hope this camp will inspire more young people to pursue careers in first response while also fostering greater appreciation and respect for first responders through understanding their vital work.

Camp is held 9 am to 3 pm each day. Snacks and lunch will be provided as well as transportation.

Training

With over 60 years of training experience, we are certified in a variety of disciplines using adult learning theory in highly interactive trainings for participant in multiple sectors.

Training Programs Include:

  • Bullying Awareness, Prevention, and Intervention Techniques
  • Team Building Workshops
  • Conflict Resolution Skills
  • Creating Successful and Impactful Community Partnerships
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Peer Mediation
  • After School Program Development
  • Creating and Sustaining Successful Outcome-based Programs and Services
  • Effective Youth Diversion Services

School Staff Specific Training Programs Include:

  • Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100 & 200 – for Professionals: Schools and Private Agencies
  • School Resource Officer Training, Facilitating and Implementation
  • Crisis Management
  • De-escalation Techniques based on TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Interventions)
  • Restorative Justice Practices
  • Alternatives to Suspension
  • Restorative Circles

For more information on how to customize these trainings to meet your needs or develop a specific training please contact us.