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Juvenile court asks council for $2.5 million to add probation officers and alternatives to detention
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Summary
Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court presented findings from a year-long advisory review and requested an additional $2.5 million above the executive—s recommended budget to hire 15 probation officers and fund alternatives to detention intended to reduce reliance on the county—s detention center.
Judge Nicholas O—Malley (presented via a statement read by Tim McDevitt, court administrator) and juvenile court staff described the results of an 11-month advisory council that reviewed court operations and recommended expanding community-based supports. The court said probation officers currently supervise roughly 30 youth each, while the Annie E. Casey Foundation recommends about 12–15 per officer. The advisory council recommended adding 15 probation officers to reduce caseloads toward a safer, evidence-aligned level and to improve supervision and services for youth with complex needs.
Judge O—Malley and juvenile court staff estimated the cost of 15 additional probation officers at about $1.5 million per year and the cost of building out alternatives to detention —10 (trauma-informed group homes, respite care and residential beds)—2 at about $1.0 million per year. Together the court asked council to appropriate an additional $2,500,000 above the county executive—s recommended biennial budget to fund both items. Court leaders said the additional capacity would allow officers to supervise approximately 20 youth each (down from about 30) and would provide placements for youth who are court-involved but do not belong in a detention setting.
Court representatives acknowledged the county—s budget constraints and said the juvenile court submitted these items as priorities; staff offered follow-up briefings and data to council, saying chief probation officer Sarah Povance can answer questions about caseload modeling and deputy court administrator Bridget Gibbons can provide placement/alternative details. Council members praised the advisory process and several signaled support for prioritizing the court—s requests; council president and others said they would work to present technical adjustments and funding options during the budget process.
No formal vote was taken at this hearing. The juvenile court requested the council appropriate the full $2.5 million in additional annual funding and offered to provide more detail on staffing costs and program design if council directs follow-up.
