George Moyer, joint court administrator, asked commissioners to approve three personal services agreements that fund services for youth involved in dependency and juvenile court cases.

On guardian ad litem services, Moyer said the county passes through Administrative Office of the Courts funding to the local child advocates and requested $91,960 for the calendar year. "Essentially, they provide services for child, guardian ad litem services for children, in dependency cases for juvenile court," Moyer said.

For family therapy, Moyer described a 12‑year relationship with Creative Solutions to provide functional family therapy for youth involved in the court system and requested a $17,007.50 agreement amendment funded by state DCYF grant dollars; civil attorneys recommended issuing a new PSA to align contract language and fiscal year end dates.

Finally, Moyer summarized the Darnell & Associates program — an outpatient, offense‑specific treatment pathway (SOTA) that gives eligible youth community‑based treatment for roughly two years; if treatment conditions aren't met, the court may revoke SOTA and send the youth to a state institution. The program is grant funded and caseloads vary (Moyer estimated between 6 and 15 in different years).

Why it matters: the agreements fund legal representation and therapeutic services for children and juveniles in court‑involved cases, affecting case outcomes and program capacity.

What’s next: the agreements and amendments will return to the board for formal approval.