Wayne County Community Corrections board approves FY2025 second-quarter report; utilization rates tracked

The Wayne County Community Corrections Advisory Board approved the fiscal year 2025 second-quarter report covering Jan. 1 through March 31, 2025, and reviewed utilization and spending across funded programs.

Lester Thomas, administrator for Wayne County Community Corrections, walked the board through the quarterly report and utilization figures. He said most programs were around the 50% utilization mark for the six-month reporting period, which the board regards as critical to maintaining current funding levels from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Thomas reported specific utilization and spending figures cited in the report: Lake Ridge was at 47%; the domestic-violence jail program was 62%; domestic-violence community programming was 58%; an outpatient DDJR program was about 48%; GPS funding was 67%; five-day housing was at 45%; Black Family Development Inc. was at 30%; and a Real Solutions line item showed 0% because that contract had not yet been placed before the full board.

Thomas said the board is moving some funds internally to cover overages and that staff are partnering with the Wayne County classification team and community partners to increase utilization. He said the agency has engaged a qualitative analyst to provide data-driven analysis to improve focus and program effectiveness.

When a board member asked about the anticipated launch date for the pending violence-prevention program tied to the Real Solutions contract, Thomas said the contract would need approval by the full commission at the next meeting and that implementation would likely begin in June.

The board moved and seconded approval of the FY2025 quarter two report; the motion passed.