JCPC hears program updates: DJJ camp, staffing, lower program numbers and summer referral strategies

Council members heard a series of program updates on June 11, including a youth camp organized by the Division of Juvenile Justice, staffing moves in court services, the closure of the Buncombe County Justice Clinical Program and planning for summer outreach and referral strategies.

Camp and staffing: Sylvia Clement, chief court counselor with DJJ, said DJJ transported about 30 youths to a recent camp where participants took part in rock climbing, canoeing and horseback riding. Clement said one youth fell from a horse, received minor scrapes and continued participating. She also said assessments are up to date and the agency is “waiting to hear back from a couple of new hires” for a court counselor and a court counselor supervisor, with interviews completed and testing pending.

Program numbers and closures: JCPC staff reported that program enrollment numbers have been down year to date, a change staff attributed in part to disruptions from a recent hurricane and to transitions affecting youth and families. Lorraine Williams said the Buncombe County Justice Clinical Program closed as of July 1 and had no youth served in the reporting year; staff noted that some participants were carried over to other programs. The meeting packet distributed to members included year-to-date service and completion numbers; staff noted 81 youths had completed programming since July 1, with 60 completing satisfactorily.

Summer outreach and referrals: Members discussed summer referral sources and how programs can maintain referrals when school-based sources are less active. Council chair George Redmond asked where summer referrals typically come from; staff and members said referrals commonly originate with schools, school resource officers (SROs) and DJJ, and can also come from law enforcement, social services, parents and community partners. Hannah Ledgerton and others described strategies to keep referrals flowing over summer, including open houses for programs, virtual presentations to school staff and SROs, and outreach through established events.

NC SAFE and community events: Staff reported participation in NC SAFE events with the Asheville Police Department and that additional NC SAFE activities are scheduled, including a family event at MLK Park on June 28. Community-based partners announced other summer offerings: a new fellowship placement at UNC Asheville through AmeriCorps for a JCPC-affiliated intern (Daja Jamie), a “Connection” summer program offering music and film production activities, and the Benny Lee Lake building dedication scheduled for June 14.

Graduates and aftercare connections: Members requested deeper tracking of program graduates and their post-program destinations to support employment and transition services. Staff noted barriers including FERPA restrictions and suggested partners such as Land of Sky Regional Council could help connect graduates to employment supports.

Other items: UNITE and other community partners reported locating temporary community space for programming and continuing outreach. Members acknowledged donations (including a van provided with help from Paramount Kia of Asheville) and urged use of the summer to strengthen community awareness of JCPC programs.

Next steps: Staff will circulate meeting materials, work on scheduling open-house opportunities and follow up with SROs, schools and law-enforcement partners to coordinate summer referrals and training. The council also set a tentative next meeting date of Aug. 21 and will confirm availability.