Northern Hills Diversion asks Meade County for $5,000 to expand juvenile diversion services

Representatives from Northern Hills Diversion described their teen court and juvenile diversion programs and asked the commission for a $5,000 annual contribution for fiscal year 2025.

"We had 20 kids total from Mead County in 2023," said Lexi Luxe, executive director (SEG 3063). The group said 2023 data show 57 total juvenile services center (JSC) bed days and 176 Arise Center bed days for Meade County youth; at an estimated cost of about $300 per bed night, the organization said county placement costs for local youth amounted to roughly $69,900. Northern Hills Diversion said its program — including teen court, case‑management diversion and conditional release — can reduce placement days and provide community‑based alternatives.

The presenters said a prior state incentive reimbursed counties $250 per youth handled through diversion programs; that reimbursement was raised to $750 in the most recent legislative session, which will increase the county’s potential recovery when reporting is complete. The group described growing volunteer recruitment, the establishment of a small office near the county state's attorney, and a recent expansion of programming. Commissioners asked about office agreements and recommended the organization formalize any in‑kind use of county space with a written agreement.

No funding decision was made; the commission accepted the request and asked staff how to place the outside funding request on a future agenda for formal consideration.