The Disproportionate Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in ...

juvenile court office and an agency called Indian Youth of America (IYA).
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Well, I guess I don’t have a whole bunch of explanation. Other than I
know we have, the Indians have another diversion program or another
agency that we use a great deal (Indian Youth of America). That is
specifically set up to work with them and we cooperate with them, I mean
it’s a cooperative type effort between the two agencies. It’s been a nice
marriage.
That doesn’t surprise me about the Indians because they are almost always
referred to Indian Youth of America...
The Indian findings are not surprising. I just think that people don’t know
how to deal with the Native Americans so they shuffle them of f into that
program. I think they feel like their hands are tied in what they can do with
Native American children.
I think that’s right.
Q. Whether the Indian was under court authority or not did not make a
difference as it did for whites or blacks.
A. That doesn’t surprise me.
Q. But, Indians who committed more serious offenses were more likely to
be released or to receive an informal adjustment than similar whites and
blacks.
A. That doesn’t surprise me either.
Because of the acknowledgement that Native Indians are diverted to Indian Youth
of America, decision makers were asked why and for information concerning what the
agency does with the referred youth. There appears to be some confusion as to how
Indian Youth of America handles youth diverted from the juvenile court office. Some
decision makers seem to be informed while others lack a clear idea of what occurs at
Indian Youth of America.