Mississippi would fund a youth diversion pilot through Human Services

The Department of Human Services would establish and implement a pilot program that diverts adolescents into community-based services. The pilot would serve adolescents through structured community-based diversion and intervention services. The department would need a written pilot plan before spending or distributing funds. The department would need to enter a grant or subgrant agreement to administer the program. Awards would consider demonstrated need, service gaps, court referrals, and the recipient's ability to provide structured community services. The department could require matching support, in-kind participation, or local partnership commitments. The proposed funding would apply to fiscal year 2027, and the act would take effect after passage.