The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners on June 17 approved permission for the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) to pursue a $9,000 court interpreter grant to fund language-line interpretation services, with Spanish identified as the primary language need.

Tara Payano, director of operations for the St. Joseph County Probate Court at the Juvenile Justice Center, told commissioners the grant request covers the language line used in court to interpret for clients and juveniles. Payano said the office learned of the posted grant in mid-May and, because the selection deadline was May 31, had already submitted the application; the board’s action affirms the JJC’s participation as it proceeds through the selection process.

“There was confusion over which county office was going to apply for this because in the past this has been a grant between probate, superior and circuit courts,” Payano said. She told the board that the award was split this year into separate categories and that JJC applied in its category for $9,000.

Commissioners asked whether the JJC still had a reasonable chance at the award; Payano replied, “Absolutely. We have no reason to believe that we won't.” The motion to approve the JJC application was made, seconded and passed with Commissioners Morton, Hazen and Maxmeier voting aye.

Payano asked the board to coordinate with other courts; commissioners suggested checking with Judge Harley and Judge Brody on coordination among courts for similar grants.