Youth‑service provider tells Deschutes County board budget cuts threaten programs for teens
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Stephanie Allstead, CEO of JBRAJU Services, told the board that state/COIC funding reductions shifted a planned 20% reduction to a larger cut before settling at about 33%, leaving an estimated $100,000–$150,000 gap; she requested a seat at regional planning tables to protect services for youth.
Stephanie Allstead, CEO of JBRAJU Services, told the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners that recent state and regional funding changes have left the agency facing deeper cuts than expected and urged the county to help secure the organization's participation in regional planning.
Allstead said a multi‑agency coordination (MAC) decision initially allowed a roughly 20% reduction, but COIC later indicated awards would be cut as much as 46% before backing down to approximately 33%. "We can't continue to do all the great services and work with kids that we do without some help," she told the board. She said the dollar gap created by the change is likely in the range of $100,000 to $150,000 and that the agency will pursue fundraising and grants to close the shortfall if the 33% reduction stands.
Allstead also said JBRAJU has struggled to get seats at regional tables (HLC/MAC/COIC) and asked commissioners to help ensure youth‑service providers are included in coordination and funding conversations. County staff and commissioners encouraged continued contact with COIC staff and said they would try to facilitate representation on relevant committees.
The board did not take formal action on Allstead's request at the meeting. Allstead's remarks were delivered during the public comment period and were recorded for follow‑up by county staff.