Choose 180

Teaching and advancement: teaching and advancement (ta) is a team that launched in 2021 to train and support other interested communities nationwide to offer similar services as choose 180 offers in king county. In 2024, the ta team made the decision to have a more internal and local focus. Throughout the year, the team conducted in depth research on the current landscape of youth-involved crimes and the school-to-prison pipeline to use that information to eventually develop workshops and trainings that we will be able to offer to organizations, communities, and those who need it. While doing this research, the ta team also presented at the national symposium on juvenile services and partnered with researchers from the university of washington's firearm injury & policy research program to plan and contribute to a study on detention alternatives for youth. The objective and longterm goals of ta are to offer choose 180 insights to different communities and groups with the purpose of increasing prevention and intervention efforts to support young people as an alternative to incarceration.

School-based diversion: in 2024, the school-based diversion program made significant strides by expanding the team, adding new staff members to increase capacity, enhance presence in schools, and strengthen our service model of hiring staff with direct lived experience. Along with the team expansion, the compass curriculum used in schools for the program was extended from 5 sessions to 7. This added focus on the school-to-prison pipeline and the impact of systems on a participant's future. Additionally, we introduced a youth-driven action plan to support participants' accountability in working on their goals and help them continue making progress. The program saw 26 participant graduations throughout the year, with 100% of participants reporting that they felt supported by choose 180. Furthermore, 94% of participants reported learning skills related to setting short and long-term goals and thinking before they act. Our team also had the opportunity to present about the sbd program at the 2024 national symposium of juvenile justice in utah, further advancing our commitment to transforming systems of injustice and helping youth thrive through restorative and community-centered support.

Aftercare: in 2024, the aftercare program continued to provide support to participants and their families through community connections, resources, and mentorship. With a strong focus on addressing systemic barriers, the program provided rental assistance and essential services to support stability. The aftercare expanded its reach to youth in school districts, including renton, seattle, and federal way. Expansion to tacoma schools is underway to deepen access across counties to support. Aftercare provided short and long-term mentorship tailored to individual goals, connecting participants to resources that support their growth and success. In 2024, 82 participants engaged in aftercare services, benefiting from supportive care, aiming to partner in their journey to healing and opportunity.counseling: in 2024, the counseling program supported 101 youth groups across schools and community settings. Youth-led topics ranged from self-control, managing big emotions, grief, mental health stigma in communities, and included a book study focused on relationships and self-love. Counselors facilitated 11 groups at echo glen juvenile facility, supporting female-identified cottages in group talk therapy and expressive arts therapy. The intentional integration of expressive arts therapy, such as drawing, painting, movement, and creative writing, provided students with non-verbal tools to process emotions and build self-awareness. This approach has continued to be impactful for youth who struggle to articulate their feelings through traditional talk therapy. Over the year, 398 hours of individual therapy were provided. In addition, the counseling team presented the program to external groups, including the king county family court system, and participated in consortiums throughout king county to advocate for youth mental health, advancing our commitment to supporting youth impacted by systemic injustice, providing healing opportunities, and equipping them with tools to thrive.advocacy: the advocacy service accomplishments for 2024 include the completion of our 4th year of the youth and young adult advocacy program, a paid training program for young people impacted by the school-to-prison pipeline and the criminal legal system.our 2024 objectives included: overseeing the development of a youth steering committee to center youth voices in advocacy priorities; educating participants about the school to prison pipeline, diversion as an alternatives to incarceration, gun violence prevention, and mental health; participation in coalition building with other local organizations; participant involvement in legislative session, including signing in pro on our priority bills, testifying in favor of the diversion bill to improve and standardize juvenile diversion programs across the state, participated in the governor's signing of this bill into law, youth advocacy day at the state capitol, and planned and facilitated a virtual listening session with local representatives to advocate for systems change, by offering their ideas for solutions. We ended the program with presentations on personal advocacy projects. Approximately 20 individuals were served through the advocacy program in 2024.diversion: as the first program of choose 180, youth and young adult diversion has provided an alternative to court involvement for youth over the last 8 years, in partnership with the city of seattle prosecuting attorney's office. In 2024, 79 diversion workshops were completed, offering youth an opportunity to engage in restorative practices instead of facing prosecution. We continued to provide comprehensive care, ensuring that after the workshop completion, participants had access to ongoing support through internal programs and external community resources.by centering care, connection, and accountability, the program continued to advance our vision of decriminalizing youthful behavior and creating pathways toward healing and possibility.summer internship: in 2024, the 7-week summer internship supported participants in exploring entrepreneurship by building skills in goal setting, financial literacy, sales and marketing, graphic design, public speaking, environmental sustainability, and more. Participants engaged in interactive presentations led by local bipoc business leaders and connected with vendors to learn directly how to build a business in their community, from challenges to success. Through hands-on learning, research, and support, participants selected a business idea, developed business plans, and created visual aids to present their ideas in a shark tank-style presentation judged by local business leaders. Business plans included sports instruction services, apparel and cosmetics lines, an automotive shop, and more. All 12 participants completed the internship, presented their business idea, and reported enhanced learning of the business concepts taught. Additionally, 100% of participants felt supported by choose 180 staff and safe throughout the program, showing how support and opportunity help youth grow and thrive.