JCPC Minutes 020119 - Laserfiche WebLink

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(mediation, community service/restitution, and Teen Court) programs are where they saw the greatest increase in youth. Another lesson learned from other states was that the numbers of 16-17 year olds didn’t explode like they thought/expected. After December 1, only 16-17 year olds who have never been to district court and who have an eligible charge will be seen in juvenile court. Conversation around diversionary options for 16-17 year olds now that Misdemeanor Diversion Program will be raising their minimum age to 18 when “Raise the Age” takes effect. While Juvenile Justice can only refer a youth to Teen Court if they have never been, they are also able to place them on a diversion plan which could include ensuring they are accessing/attending specified services. Additionally, SROs are able to refer a youth to Teen Court multiple times (up to two times) if it would be appropriate to do so (for example, it’s been months or years in between and the offense is minor). Others have raised concern about structuring a “scheme” that would help keep a youth out of court, especially if it would reinforce in the youth’s mind that they can keep behaving/acting in a certain way without consequences. Eventually they will age out of juvenile court, and if they keep behaving the same way they will rack up charges and points. While we want to help, we need to be careful about what we do and how we do it so that we don’t create an illusion and we don’t cripple. Val reminded the group that she can work in tandem with other programs to help youth with restorative practices and/or accountability for their actions. Reviewed handout on “Total Number of Acts” committed on school property broken down by each school in Orange, Alamance, and Chatham counties so we can see how we compare within our district. Reviewed two other handouts that include risk and needs data for Orange County for FY 17-18 for 16-17 year olds who are currently in juvenile court. This will help when brainstorming for expected needs. This is the same type of data that is used in the normal risk and needs process that drives the regular (Tier I) JCPC RFP. The risk assessment helps the court counselors identify what risk factors may be present in a juvenile’s life that could cause them to reoffend and the needs assessment helps determine which types of programming the youth could benefit from. Conversation around the number of youth with identified substance use issues and what treatment options are available and whether or not they are being utilized. Data supports the conclusion that there is a substance use problem among youth; however, while treatment options are available, youth and/or parents are not making use of those services. Some possible reasons for this may include a lack of accessibility and/or a belief that treatment isn’t necessary. There also needs to be a focus on the family when addressing substance use because it isn’t just an individual problem. Between now and the April meeting, program providers need to think about how “Raise the Age” is going to impact service delivery and/or budget and JCPC members need to begin thinking about whether there are any additional program types that may need to be funded in order to address the needs of the 16-17 year olds. At the April meeting we will review/update the Continuum of Services chart and complete the “Raise the Age” Addendum for the Annual Plan. As program providers begin to complete their FY19-20 applications they should consider addressing the impact of “Raise the Age” and keep in mind that the regular JCPC allocation has not increased; if additional funds are requested in preparation for serving the expanded population, those funds will need to be taken from another program. Also, programs should remember that most have been reporting that referrals continue to be low and while there may be an increase with the new population coming in, those new youth may make up the difference and programs may be back at normal capacity. It is also important to remember that JCPC funds are not meant to fix all problems and the Department is very specific in the types of programs and evidence-based curriculums that they will fund.