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Commission approves youth program MOU; commissioners probe future fees and fidelity reviews
Summary
The board approved an MOU to adopt an NCJFCJ youth curriculum, with first‑year grant funding covering implementation and commissioners raising questions about a potential $4,100 annual fidelity fee and built‑in personnel costs.
The Utah County Board of Commissioners voted 3‑0 to approve a memorandum of understanding to implement a youth‑specific evidence‑based program associated with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).
An unidentified commissioner expressed concern that the MOU offered a free or grant‑supported first year but then imposed a $4,100 annual fee for continuing fidelity reviews and training, calling that structure potentially a "bait and switch." Cindy Simon, clinical director for ADAPT, said the current grant provides $11,000–$15,000 to cover first‑year costs and that the $4,100 continuation fee would apply only if the county chooses to continue the NCJFCJ fidelity program after the initial year; it is not an automatic ongoing charge.
Simon described the existing local approach as a mix of evidence‑based practices for youth and noted that many evidence‑based tools are adult programs adapted for youth; the NCJFCJ program is youth‑specific. She told commissioners the continuation fee funds fidelity reviews, training and materials, and that if the program proved not to be a good fit the county could discontinue participation after the first year.
Richard Dance noted the county’s partnership with juvenile court permits use of the curriculum essentially for free aside from disposables, and that some similar fidelity reviews in other programs have been funded by state divisions in the past.
Commissioners asked that ADAPT include evaluation of whether the county could build its own model after the grant year to reduce ongoing costs. With those assurances the board approved the MOU; the motion carried 3‑0.
