Offers Polk County residents several programs if they qualify as an alternative to the justice system.

MEDIATION is a confidential and "out-of-court" procedure which gives parties involved in a dispute a chance to meet and, with the help of a mediator, reach a resolution or agreement.

TRUANCY COURT PROGRAM is a joint effort between the Polk County Attorney's Office, the Des Moines Public Schools and the Polk County District Court to reach the parents of truant children between the ages of 6 to 16 years before the filing of formal charges.

VOD, or Victim-Offender Dialogue, offers crime victims the opportunity to confront offenders in a controlled setting with the assistance of a trained facilitator.

CHILD WELFARE MEDIATION assists parents and other involved adults in developing cooperative solutions for children and families.

YOUTHFUL OFFENDER PROGRAM uses a community approach to the rehabilitation of youthful offenders and is designed as an alternative for targeted offenders to divert them from prison sentences or ineffective probation sentences by providing programming in the areas needed.

JUVENILE DIVERSION SHOPLIFTING PROGRAM is for youth involved with the juvenile court system that meet with a facilitator, program staff and an individual from a volunteering business within the community to hear the impact Theft has on the community as a whole.

JUVENILE FIRE DIVERSION PROGRAM is to enable youth to understand the costs and dangers that exist with fire starting behavior by choosing better options besides fire starting. Youth will meet with a Fire Chief and complete some form of restitution that is mutually decided during a mediation with the chief.

VOLUNTARY PAYMENT PLANS and wage assignments are for those that don't qualify for LRP or who have court debt that is not traffic related. Staff will assist setting up a payment plan to get them off probation and their vehicle(s) registered.

COLLECTIONS FOR VICTIM RESTITUTION for Polk County victims who have been victimized by a crime, restitution has been ordered but payments are not being made.