Court Diversion is a voluntary pre-trial procedure that may allow persons accused of minor criminal offences to be directed away from the criminal justice system. www.stepsforjustice.ca, explains more about court diversion programs and how to determine if you are eligible for them, HERE.
The following is a list of some of the Court Diversions which are available in Ontario. Please note this list is not exhaustive, and the programs are usually geared towards specific groups, such as people with mental health issues, women, men or youth.
To find out about more about court diversion programs and other supports in your area, you can call 211. 211 is a free and confidential phone number open 24 hours a day. The service is available throughout Ontario.
Court Diversion Programs
Southcentral Ontario
Durham
Youth (Ages 12 – 17)
Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region
Diversion Reintegration Youth Program (DRYP)
Adults
Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region
Community Services Orders Program (Adult)
Peel / Halton Region
Adults
Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel-Halton
Diversion Program
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association - Branches in Brampton, Oakville & Orangeville
Peel Region Mental Health and Justice Services
Youth (Ages 12 – 17)
Associated Youth Services of Peel
Mental Health and Youth Justice Services
Elizabeth Fry Society Peel Halton
Court Support Services for Youth
Halton Regional Police - Branches in Burlington, Oakville & Halton Hills
Court Diversion Program
Simcoe County
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association - Barrie
Justice Programs
Toronto
Youth (Ages 12 – 17)
Peacebuilders Canada
Restorative Youth Circle Programs
Central Toronto Youth Services
Early Release Support Program (Youth Justice)
SpringBoard
Youth Court Action Planning Program (YCAPP)
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Margaret’s
Mental Health Diversion, Court Diversion
Sound times
Mental Health Court Support and Diversion Services
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Court Diversion and Support Program
COTA
Mental Health Court Support
Adults Charged with Shoplifting
SpringBoard
Direct Accountability & Stop Shop Theft
Adults Charged with Minor Offences
Elizabeth Fry Toronto
Direct Accountability at College Park
Women Charged in Domestic Violence Situations
Elizabeth Fry Toronto
Partner Abuse Response (PAR)
York Region
Adults Charged in Domestic Violence Situations
John Howard Society of Toronto
PAR Program
Adults with Addictions
Addiction Services for York Region
Court Support Program - Aurora
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Branches in Aurora, Markham & Newmarket
Mental Health and Case Management
Youth with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Branches in Aurora & Markham
Youth Mental Health and Case Management
Southwestern Ontario
Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Diagnosis
Canadian Mental Health Association - Brant Haldimand Norfolk
Mental Health Court Support
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health and / or Addiction Issues
St Leonard's Community Services
Enhanced (Mental Health) Bail Verification and Supervision
Chatham - Kent
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association - Lambton-Kent
Court Diversion Services
Dufferin County
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel Dufferin Branch - Orangeville
Dufferin Court Support Services
John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin - Orangeville
Bail Verification and Supervision Program
Elgin & Huron County
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with a Serious Mental Health Diagnosis
Canadian Mental Health Association - Elgin Branch
Court Support / Diversion
Essex County
Youth (Ages 12 - 17)
Youth Diversion Essex County Diversion Program
Youth Justice Committee
Grey Bruce County
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Diagnosis
Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce
Mental Health Court Support
Hamilton
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association - Hamilton
Mental Health Court Support Services
Adults
John Howard Society
Direct Accountability
Huron - Perth
Adults with Mental Health Diagnosis
Canadian Mental Health Association
Court Support
Middlesex
Adults & Youth 16 years of age and older who have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence and are coping with a serious mental illness, developmental challenges or brain injury:
Canadian Mental Health Association
Justice Community Support Program
Niagara Region
Indigenous Youth and Adults
Niagara Regional Native Centre
Indigenous Community Justice Program - Ages 12+
Adults
John Howard Society
Adult Federal Diversion Program (Fee for Service)
Youth with Mental Health Issues
Pathstone Mental Health
Youth Justice
Oxford
People living with a serious mental illness, brain injury or a developmental disability
Canadian Mental Health Association - Oxford Branch - Locations in Woodstock, Ingersoll & Tillsonburg
Mental Health Court Diversion
Peel Region
Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel Dufferin Branch
Peel Region Mental Health and Justice Services
Sarnia-Lambton
Youth 12 - 17
St Clair Child & Youth Services
Youth Justice Services
Waterloo - Wellington
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Canadian Mental Health Association - Waterloo-Wellington Branch - Locations in Guelph and Kitchener
Mental Health and Justice Services
Eastern Ontario
Kingston Frontenac, Lennox and Addington
Youth (Ages 12 - 17)
Youth Diversion
Youth Justice Program
Adults
Addictions and Mental Health Services - Branches in Napanee, Kingston
Justice Services
Peterborough
Canadian Mental Health Association
Court Diversion
Youth (Ages 12 - 17)
John Howard Society of Peterborough
Youth Diversion
Napanee
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Lanark County Mental Health
Court Diversion Mental Health Services
Northumberland County
Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Campbellford Memorial Hospital
Community Mental Health Centre
Indigenous Youth
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services
Native Youth Justice
Ottawa
Adults and Youth with Mental Health Challenges
Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre - Integrated Forensic Program
Mental Health Court & Mental Health Court Clinic
Prince Edward County and Hastings
Adults Diagnosed with Mental Health Issues
Addictions and Mental Health Services Hastings Prince Edward
Court Diversion and Court Support
Youth with Mental Health Challenges Renfrew - Stormont
The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families - Youth Justice Services
Youth Mental Health Court Worker Program
Northern Ontario
Rainy River District
Individuals 18 years and older considered to have a Serious Mental Illness, Developmental Disability, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Concurrent Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis or Acquired Brain Injury who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Fort Frances Branch
Court Diversion and Support Program
Kenora
Individuals 18 years and older considered to have a Serious Mental Illness, Developmental Disability, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Concurrent Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis or Acquired Brain Injury who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Kenora Branch
Dual Diagnosis Court Diversion Program
Youth
Firefly
Youth Mental Health Court Worker Program
Thunder Bay
Individuals 18 years and older considered to have a Serious Mental Illness, Developmental Disability, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Concurrent Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis or Acquired Brain Injury who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.
Canadian Mental Health Association - Thunder Bay Branch
Court Diversion Service