Commission approves $178,958 Juvenile Court contract for Parent Leadership Training Institute
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Summary
Shelby County approved a $178,958 contract for the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) to run cohorts for parents; presenters said funds will support one cohort, covering technology, child care, transportation and facilitators. Vote was 9 ayes, 1 abstention.
The Shelby County Commission voted to approve a contract, not to exceed $178,958, between Shelby County government (on behalf of the Juvenile Court) and a provider to deliver the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI). The contract will run through June 30, 2025, with an option to renew with Commission approval. The funding source is juvenile court judges’ funds reallocated from FY2024 Sheriff’s Office opioid settlement proceeds, county staff said.
PLTI site coordinator Dionne Stovall and three alumni spoke in support. Stovall described the program as a 20‑ to 21‑week, evidence‑based leadership curriculum that trains parents in advocacy, civic engagement and supports a two‑generation approach. Presenters said the initiative has graduated 62 parents and that alumni remain active in schools and neighborhoods.
During questioning commissioners asked how many cohorts the funds would support and what the budget covered. Stovall said the appropriation would fund one full cohort under the current model. Program expenses described for a cohort included providing technology (laptops or Wi‑Fi), child care during in‑person sessions, transportation stipends (DoorDash or Uber), meals for in‑person classes and four facilitators (two facilitators for the first 10 weeks, two for the second 10 weeks). The program uses a hybrid (in‑person and virtual) delivery model and partners with a civic design team and the Early Success Coalition for outreach to families prenatal to age 8.
Commissioners who praised the program said PLTI supports parent engagement that boosts student success and can connect families involved with juvenile court or child services to resources. Commissioner Brooks abstained from the vote; the clerk recorded nine ayes and one abstention, and the resolution passed.
Why it matters: County officials described PLTI as a program that equips parents with skills to advocate for their children, navigate school systems and move into community leadership roles. Supporters said the program produces measurable engagement changes in participants and can complement juvenile‑court wraparound efforts.
Next steps: The contract will be executed and services delivered per the Juvenile Court and contract schedule; staff and program leaders said the program seeks to scale with more funding in future budgets.
