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Youth Deflection Program

Community support for Colorado youth, offered at Athletics & Beyond in Aurora.

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About the Program

Athletics & Beyond (A&B) offers a free, 6 to 8 week Youth Deflection Program for youth referred by schools, law enforcement, and courts. The program connects each youth with mentoring, academic support, mental health support, and college and career guidance, so they can get help in their own community.

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The program is funded through the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) Deflection and Community Investment (DCI) Grant Program. There is no cost to youth, families, or referring agencies.

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What is deflection?

Deflection means connecting a young person with community support at the earliest possible point, before further involvement with the justice system.

The Colorado Division of Criminal Justice describes the purpose of its grant program this way:

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"The purpose of the three-year competitive grant program is to fund eligible organizations to implement a mixed-delivery system of trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth."

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The state's program page also describes the aim of redirecting youth away from justice system involvement at the earliest possible point. The program is authorized by C.R.S. 24-33.5-2803, which states that its purpose is to provide grants to eligible applicants to implement "a mixed-delivery system of trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth, including Native American youth."

Based on Colorado law, programs can focus on youth who:

  • Are at risk of justice-system involvement

  • Have had contact with law enforcement, courts, schools, or other referring agencies

  • Could receive community services instead of a warning, citation, or arrest

  • Are already justice-system involved but could be redirected from further involvement

  • Live in communities with high youth arrest or citation rates

  • Live in communities experiencing disparities in youth arrests or citations

  • Include Native American youth

  • May have experienced trauma or need behavioral health, mentoring, education, career, leadership, or other developmental support

Referrals come from schools, law enforcement, and courts.

Who can be referred

What youth receive

Every youth in the program has access to support across the four A&B pillars:

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  • Mentoring. Time with caring adults and mentors who help youth build confidence, leadership, and healthy habits.

  • Academic support. Tutoring and help with school success. [CONFIRM: tutoring is offered Tuesdays in the Davari Room, Math and Reading focus. Add this line only if it applies to program youth.]

  • Mental health. Access to behavioral health support at the A&B facility.

  • College and career. Guidance on education paths, job readiness, and future planning.

A&B also offers sport performance programming across multiple sports.

How Referrals Work?

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  1. Identify a youth who may benefit. A school, law enforcement agency, or court representative identifies a young person who fits the eligibility list above.

  2. Call or email the program contact. Reach out to Kyle Reese at 720-845-1712 or email aabwellness4990@gmail.com to talk through the referral and confirm fit.

  3. Submit the referral. The referring agency shares the youth's name, a parent or guardian contact, and the reason for referral.

  4. A&B contacts the family. Our team reaches out to the youth and their family to explain the program and schedule an intake.

  5. Intake and goal setting. Staff meet with the youth and family to understand needs and build a plan across mentoring, academics, mental health, and college and career.

  6. Participate for 6 to 8 weeks. The youth takes part in scheduled sessions at A&B. 2 sessions per week by appointment

  7. Wrap up and follow up. At the end of the program, A&B shares completion status with the referring agency and connects the youth with next steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can make a referral? Schools, law enforcement agencies, and courts can refer youth to the program.

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Does the program cost anything? No. The program is free for youth, families, and referring agencies. It is funded through the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice Deflection and Community Investment Grant Program.

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How long does the program last? The program runs 6 to 8 weeks.

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What does the program offer? Mentoring, academic support, mental health support, and college and career guidance, all offered at Athletics & Beyond.

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What does deflection mean? Deflection connects a young person with community support at the earliest possible point, before further involvement with the justice system.

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Can a youth who is already involved with the justice system take part? Based on Colorado law, programs can focus on youth who are already justice-system involved but could be redirected from further involvement. Please call Kyle Reese to discuss a specific situation.

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Does the program serve Native American youth? Yes. Colorado's deflection program statute specifically includes Native American youth.

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Do families need to do anything to enroll? Referrals start with the referring agency. A&B then contacts the youth and family to explain the program and schedule an intake.

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Where is the program located? Athletics & Beyond, 3250 Quentin St, Suite 114, Aurora, Colorado 80111.

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Who do I contact with questions? Kyle Reese, 720-845-1712 or aabwellness4990@gmail.com

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