Yamhill County community justice director reports state funding shortfall, juvenile program successes

Jessica Beach, director of the Yamhill County Department of Community Justice, told the county commissioners on Sept. 25 that state funding for community corrections was lower than expected this budget cycle and that counties statewide are considering adjustments to maintain services.

Beach said the Department of Corrections’ final biennial allocation left community corrections below the governor’s recommended level by about $52 million statewide. She told the board that Yamhill County’s adult division is largely supported by state funding — she estimated the department’s budget is approximately 94% state funds — and that uneven biennial funding makes sustaining auxiliary services and programs difficult.

Beach outlined local responses and program activity. She said vacancy savings and a renewed fee schedule approved by the board should help the county sustain staffing through the current biennium. She also reported that the county’s Criminal Justice Commission formula grant was fully awarded, the competitive grant was funded at about 85% and recovery‑court grants were awarded at or near full funding; she said contract paperwork from the Criminal Justice Commission was still pending.

On juvenile services, Beach described the second‑year “Learn to Earn” program at the Yamhill County Youth Services Center, a partnership between the facility’s community service program and the Multnomah Educational Service District (MESD). She reported that 10 youth began the program and seven graduated, collectively earning 25.5 school credits. The program included field trips, career‑technology education (tractor safety, basic welding, woodworking), and community projects: youth built two ADA‑accessible planter boxes for a McMinnville memory‑care facility and donated $800 worth of garden produce to the local food bank (YCAP), Beach said.

Beach also notified the board that the local Public Safety Coordinating Council met on Sept. 24 and that the county’s DOC biennial plan for 2025–27 had been approved by that council and was on the commissioners’ agenda for final approval that day.

Beach closed by noting that Yamhill County will host the next in‑person meeting of the Criminal Justice Commission on Oct. 21 and invited commissioners to attend a morning tour of victim‑services nonprofit agencies and a lunchtime presentation on the county’s smart prison diversion and adult recovery court programs.

The board later approved the county’s DOC biennial plan during the meeting (see the votes summary).