Third Circuit Court receives $100,000 federal grant for status-offense diversion; county partners with community programs

The committee heard that the Third Circuit Court juvenile division received a $100,000 federal grant to fund a status-offense diversion project aimed at steering youth toward community-based programs rather than formal court processing.

Kevin Martin, deputy chief financial officer for the Third Circuit Court, said the grant is federal funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, routed through the state court administrative office. The grant will support diversion for youth accused of status offenses—conduct that is unlawful only for minors, such as truancy or underage drinking—by directing them to community-based services.

Edna Clark, chief assistant of administrative operations for the Third Circuit Court Juvenile Division, said the court has an existing diversion program and that this grant is a new offshoot that will fund partnerships with community organizations, including Genesis Youth Services and local programs referenced as part of the county—s "moving forward" program. Clark said the grant funds will support community-based providers who serve youth in their homes and neighborhoods rather than relying on court detention or formal processing.

“School truancies are serviced also through our court programs,” Clark said. “These are petitions or non-petitioned youth that are referred to the circuit court.”

Commissioners asked whether the grant augments existing diversion efforts; court staff said it will expand community-based services and partner with local agencies. The budget adjustment that certified revenue for the circuit court fund was approved as part of the committee—s packet.