The Corner Partners with Sheriff’s Office for Meaningful Alternative to Arrest for Youth with Low-Level Offenses
The RAPID program is a pre-arrest deflection program offers law enforcement a meaningful alternative to arrest for youth and young adults in Washtenaw County.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti are partnering on a program to deflect the county’s young people from the criminal legal system and towards support and resources. The RAPID program is a pre-arrest deflection program offers law enforcement a meaningful alternative to arrest for youth and young adults in Washtenaw County.
This partnership between the WCSO and the Corner Health Center provides deputies a direct pathway to care for young people who may benefit from supportive services rather than formal system involvement. Through the collaboration, Corner Health and the WCSO aim to reduce recidivism, strengthen community relationships, and promote accountability, growth, and healing for youth in our community. The program is designed by the Corner for youth and young adults ages 12–25 who have engaged in low-level offenses or behaviors that may otherwise lead to arrest, or had police contact. This voluntary program will give deputies options for additional resources to provide families.
“We’re honored to launch this first of its kind partnership for the RAPID program. At Corner Health Center. We believe in the power of early intervention and the importance of providing youth with pathways that keep them connected to their families, schools, and communities. Through our collaboration with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office, we are strengthening the Pre-Arrest Deflection component of RAPID and ensuring that young people are redirected away from the criminal legal system and toward meaningful support. Together, we are expanding access to alternatives in every corner of Washtenaw County, creating safer, healthier, and more supportive futures for our youth.”
Through the partnership, referrals can be made directly by deputies at the time of encounters or through follow-up coordination with Corner Health Center’s RAPID team.
Youth who are referred to RAPID will receive case management, individualized goal planning, behavioral health and counseling support, life skills and personal development groups, education and career readiness support, access to health services and other community resources. Each youth participant receives an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) tailored to their needs, ensuring a coordinated, wraparound approach. Youth who successfully complete their plans will not be arrested or charged with the low-level offense that may have otherwise landed them in the criminal/legal system.
“RAPID is an example of what we mean when we say front-end prevention”, says Alyshia M. Dyer, Sheriff, “our goal here is to support our young people, NOW…to give them the supports and resources needed to possibly prevent their future system involvement. RAPID will give our deputies another tool to support youth, families and our community. I am excited about the program and my office’s partnership with Corner Health. Deflecting youth to alternatives whenever possible can prevent harm and trauma from involvement in the legal system.”
The Corner will collect data to learn more about the impact of the program and the partnership. There is also additional opportunity for other agencies to partner. RAPID has the potential to be a powerful resource to support young people all around Washtenaw County.
For more information about RAPID or to refer a young person, contact the program team at justice@cornerhealth.org or (734) 714-2262.