The program provides clear structure, and requires the juvenile to abide by certain specific conditions. The ATD program also provides the juvenile immediate intervention during crisis periods while awaiting further court action. Available community resources are sought out and utilized as necessary. In these ways, the program offers appropriate protection for the juvenile and the community in a manner less restrictive than secure custody.

Consideration for eligibility for ATD services is given to all juveniles who have been placed in secure custody in order to provide early removal from such custody, and to juveniles who are being considered for secure custody placement. Each referred juvenile is considered prior to a court hearing. The ATD Counselor makes an assessment of the juvenile's home, community, and school situation. A primary requirement is that the child must have a place in which to live and that the parents/guardian must agree to provide the required level of supervision if the juvenile will be in their home. Information from related school faculty, counselors, relatives, and others involved are also examined. All conditions and expectations of the juvenile, if released to the ATD program, are then explained to the juvenile and parent/guardian.

A determination is made by the Chief Court Counselor, in consultation with the ATD Counselor as to whether or not the juvenile is appropriate for ATD services. A document is signed acknowledging full understanding and agreement with the conditions of ATD and that the juvenile may be placed in secure custody if ATD conditions are not met. If recommended, and the court concurs in placing the child on ATD, the juvenile is allowed to remain in the community rather than being placed in secure custody. An order to this effect is entered by the court, incorporating the conditions of remaining free from secure custody.

Some juveniles may be determined inappropriate for ATD if they have previously been unsuccessfully involved in the program. Also, juveniles who are known to be seriously psychologically/emotionally disturbed, chronic alcohol and drug abusers, or involved in any situation where risk factors are too high to ensure safety of both the juvenile and the community may be determined inappropriate for the ATD program.

Once released to the ATD program, juveniles are expected to fully comply with the court ordered rules and conditions. Any new delinquent complaint may result in removal from the ATD program and the juvenile being placed in secure custody. Other behaviors which may result in removal from the ATD program, but are typically subject to the ATD Counselor/Chief Court Counselor's discretion are: staying away from home without permission, truancy from school, being consistently uncooperative with program requirements, violating curfew, and/or not meeting scheduled appointments.

The ATD Counselor monitors the juveniles participating in the program on a daily basis and keeps the court counselor advised about their compliance. This monitoring includes: school visits, home visits, and community visits. The juveniles are supervised seven days a week. Each day, the juvenile is required to contact the assigned ATD Counselor at the juvenile's designated curfew. The call is recorded on voice mail or logged by the ATD Counselor. School attendance is also monitored daily by the ATD Counselor. Assistance from other professionals may be utilized if necessary.

The ATD Counselor may carry a pager so as to be accessible if and when needed. The juvenile and the juvenile's parent/guardian are provided the telephone number to access the ATD Counselor.

The role of the parent or guardian is supported by the program, as this service is not intended to take the place of their responsibility for discipline and direction. The parent or guardian plays an essential role in enforcing the expectations of the program and revealing any violations.