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Juvenile grant coordinator reports program serving 23 students; half of salary paid by two‑year grant
Summary
Gracie, the county juvenile grant worker, told the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council that since her Jan. 13 start she has 23 students in her morning triage program across local schools, and that the two‑year grant covers half her salary; the county pays the remainder.
Gracie, the county juvenile grant worker, told the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council on March 13 that since her Jan. 13, 2025 start she is working with 23 students in a morning triage program at several local schools and community sites.
The program serves students in grades 6 through 12 at St. Mary’s, Greensburg Junior High, Greensburg High School, Warren De Geer and the Suffolk Theater, Gracie said. Referrals come mostly from school staff. She described the work as primarily preventative: pulling students who are being expelled or are “on the edge of trouble” into early interventions to try to keep them in school.
Gracie said one recent case involved a senior at risk of repeating his year; because the program staff were aware of his situation they helped secure an online option so he is expected to graduate in May. She also said the program ran a small summer offering last year with about 10 participants that included lessons on mechanics, cooking and community volunteering, and staff hope to double that this summer.
Gracie and council members discussed funding. The juvenile position is funded half by the current grant and half by the county; Gracie and other members said that is the maximum portion the grant allows for salary. The grant is a two‑year award, meaning the council and county will need to address continuing the county’s share of salary in the next budget cycle when the grant’s allowable salary contribution ends.
Council members praised the reception of the program by schools. A council member said the juvenile program fills a long‑standing desire to have such services inside schools and described the early results as “very well received.” Another member noted the program had been recognized at a Greensburg community school board meeting.
Gracie said she is working to wrap up the current school‑year programming and to plan a summer program. No formal action or vote was taken on the juvenile grant during the meeting.
