PAC board warns possible layoffs if Journey to Independence grant is lost; keeps program running on reserves

Commissioners reported on a recent Prime West Area Collaborative (PAC) meeting in which board members described funding uncertainty for two grants the organization relies on and a contingency plan to avoid abrupt layoffs.

PAC leaders said one critical grant, Journey to Independence (cited in the meeting as about $1,200,000), may not be renewed. PAC staff said a failure to secure the grant would potentially require laying off roughly 14 employees. Conference materials and the PAC board’s discussion set a target date of Sept. 30 for grant notification; PAC must provide 30 days’ notice if layoffs proceed.

To reduce the risk of losing staff before a final decision, the PAC board voted to use reserves to continue the program for roughly two months so that staff would not be laid off immediately if the grant is awarded late. Commissioners described the decision as an effort to avoid losing trained staff who might not return if laid off.

Program presentation: at the PAC meeting a presenter from Youth for Christ in Wilmer described a trauma‑informed intervention program called Rebalance. The presenter provided outcome percentages for participants: 78% reported improved self-confidence, 86% reported increased self-control, 76% reported improved decision-making and 80% reported gains in relationship-building skills. Commissioners said the program targets older youth (roughly ages 14–16) and is one of several local efforts to address mental-health needs.

Meeting context: the PAC report and grant discussion were part of commissioners’ regular reports; no county budget vote was recorded at the meeting.