Pictured are: Shelby Reinhart on the left and Elizabeth Zartman on the right.
This week at Kiwanis member Corey Walker introduced Shelby Reinhart, Diversion Officer and Elizabeth Zartman, Chief Probation Officer with the Paulding County Juvenile Court. In 2017 there was a 3-year grant given to the court through the Department of Youth Services. These funds were used to create the Paulding County Diversion Program. The diversion program is used in cases where a child has done wrong but through the diversion program has a chance to complete the program and have no charges. The new deveolpment is around a year old and has already been successful in many cases. The program keeps low and at rise youth out of the justice system. Studies show early intervention is beneficial and can help children not re-offend. The program requires 12 hours of community service and they must stay in the program for at least 3 months. This is a voluntary program, but most children and their guardians choose the diversion program in order to give themselves a second chance. “Just because kids make one mistake when they’re 13 doesn’t mean their life has to be ruined forever,” says Zartman. As Kiwanis serves the children of our community we thank both ladies for their dedication to our youth. Members meet next week on Thursday at noon.
