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Johnson City approves three‑year, $100,000‑per‑year Safe Baby Court grant for juvenile court services
Summary
The City Commission approved a state grant contract to continue the city’s Safe Baby Court program, which focuses intensive court and family team services for children ages 0–3 and their families. Staff said the program has helped return two babies to their parents and supported adoptions in other cases.
The City Commission approved a grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to continue Johnson City’s Safe Baby Court, awarding $100,000 per year for three years to support the juvenile‑court program.
Judge Sharon Green described the Safe Baby Court as an evidence‑based program for families with a child aged 0–3 and said the court meets monthly and coordinates frequent child and family team meetings and hearings. Judge Green said the program has engaged roughly 15 families in its first year and credited the intensive model with returning two infants to their parents and facilitating two adoptions in other cases.
Judge Green asked the commission to accept the grant so the program can continue its monthly hearings, family team meetings and coordinated services. Commission members praised the court’s work and noted the city’s juvenile court structure allows a concentrated, multi‑disciplinary approach.
The commission approved the grant contract on the consent agenda vote recorded at the meeting.
