Warren County approves youth shelter agreement with Morris County and accepts $325,525 in youth-justice grants

The Warren County Board of County Commissioners on May 28 approved an agreement with the County of Morris to place Warren County youth at the Morris County Youth Facility, accepted grant awards from the New Jersey Youth Justice Commission totaling $325,525, and authorized a Youth Intensive Prevention (YIP) administration contract application with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. The board approved the Morris County agreement (Resolution 289-25) on a motion by Commissioner James Kern III, seconded by Deputy Director Lori Ciesla; the recorded vote was James Kern III, Lori Ciesla and Director Jason Sarnoski: yes. The agreement sets interim per‑bed rates at Morris County Youth Facility: $300 per bed per day (June 1–Dec. 31, 2025) with a one‑bed minimum, $325 per bed per day (Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2026) with a two‑bed minimum, and $350 per bed per day (Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2027) with a two‑bed minimum. The parties agreed to reassess the need for a second bed on May 31, 2025. The board also authorized acceptance of grant agreements with the New Jersey Youth Justice Commission totaling $325,525 (Resolution 290-25). The resolution describes the award as $224,774 in State/Community Partnership funds and $100,751 in Family Court funds to be used by the Warren County Department of Human Services, Division of Administration for program services, administration and Family Court services for the 2025 calendar year. Separately, the board authorized the director to execute a contract application with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Division of Children’s System of Care for a 26OLWR contract to provide YIP administration services in the amount of $39,028 for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 (Resolution 291-25), subject to availability of funds. Commissioners recorded unanimous votes in favor of each resolution. The meeting minutes record the rates, grant totals and contract amount and note the agreement’s provision to reassess bed needs at the end of May 2025. The resolutions and minutes do not record public opposition; board members thanked staff and partners for the work on youth services.