The Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council heard July 23 that the Parent Project contract has been modified to let Plymouth Rural Services (PRS) handle advertising and outreach, a move intended to reduce stigma and boost attendance.

An unnamed JJCC facilitator told the committee, “we made modifications to the contract with Plymouth Rural Services,” and emphasized that the change does not increase the contract’s fee: “It does not change the fee not to exceed amount of the contract.” The change shifts recruitment and initial presentations to PRS staff so community members are not deterred by probation branding on outreach materials.

Why it matters: Committee members said the Parent Project is open to the public but had struggled with turnout when probation was listed as the primary contact. Allowing a community-based organization to recruit and present is intended to broaden participation, especially from families reluctant to engage with probation-labeled programming.

Attendance and format: Committee members reported low virtual turnout. The facilitator summarized attendance on a recent run: initial registrants numbered “5, 6, 7 people,” dropping to “2 people” by later sessions. The program currently runs virtually; the committee prefers in-person groups but moved online because of low attendance.

Program details and incentives: The Parent Project curriculum can run up to 16 weeks but the JJCC has used a 12-week version. Proposed start months are January, April and September to align with the school calendar. One incentive offered for parents who complete the full course is “a movie and dinner pass for the entire family,” the facilitator said.

Proposed outreach and content partners: Committee members suggested partnering with the library for in-person space and alternating parenting classes with life-skills modules such as financial literacy, couponing and beginning computers. Staff mentioned local programs—Trio/Upward Bound and library programming—that could supply one-off sessions to sustain interest.

Decision and next steps: The contract language change is implemented administratively; the JJCC did not vote. PRS is working on specific dates for the next class cycle (next start anticipated in September), and committee members asked staff to circulate dates and invitations for a subcommittee or working group if outreach or format changes proceed.

Ending: Members agreed to keep discussing incentives, alternate class content, and locations to improve participation and to report back at future JJCC meetings.