St. Cloud State University’s award-winning Diversion Program is now serving young people in Waite Park and St. Joseph.
The city councils of both cities approved joining the program, which provides alcohol education and preventative services to people who have been cited for minor consumption of alcohol. It began as a joint effort by St. Cloud State and the city of St. Cloud in 2010.
Assistant dean of students
The citation is typically a payable offense, but through Diversion people are able to receive education and prevention resources instead of a ticket. If they complete the education, the offense is removed from their permanent record, said Jen Matzke, St. Cloud State assistant dean of students.
“For the individuals it’s a win because having that minor on their record could have long-term career or personal implications,” she said. “For us it’s a win because we’re actually seeing changes in behavior and less negative impact on the community.”
The expansion to Waite Park and St. Joseph adds consistency across the communities and sets a tone across the communities that the region values prevention, she said.
Prior to the Diversion Program in St. Cloud, repeat offenses for minor consumption were 12 percent. Overall recidivism in the city has dropped to 6.9 percent, and among people who complete the Diversion Program it is less than 2 percent, Matzke said.
Young people who complete the program are also consuming less. In follow-up assessments, participants are reporting drinking 50 percent less alcohol than they reported consuming in assessments prior to attending the program.
The program is open to any individual cited in the community — residents, students and visitors.
