Allen County approves higher per-diem for juvenile out-of-county placements

Allen County Commissioners voted to amend Allen County Code Title 12, Financial Article 73 to raise the per-diem charged for out-of-county juvenile placements, with staged increases planned for June and September.

County officials said the change is meant to offset rising costs for services and supplies while keeping in-county rates unchanged. Greg Peters, Allen County Juvenile Center director of detention and operations, told commissioners the center plans two increases: one to $185 effective June 6 and a second increase to $200 in September.

Peters said the juvenile center averages about 10 out-of-county youths per day and served 26 different counties last year. “We’re turning away kids daily. We get called every day for beds,” he said, noting the facility has diagnostic capabilities not available at many other centers. Peters also said the center’s physical capacity is 116 beds but staffing constraints currently limit occupancy to 77.

Commissioners asked whether counties that contract with Allen County had been notified in advance; Peters said a notification letter will be sent with invoicing if the amendment is approved and that only a few counties had been given informal notice. He also said judges can still decide on stays at lower costs in specific cases.

A commissioner moved to approve the amendment to Allen County Code Title 12, Financial Article 73 (Allen County juvenile justice and detention center placement fund); another commissioner seconded the motion and it carried.

County staff will send invoices and advance notice to contracting counties once the code amendment is in effect.