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Central Oregon youth provider urges county help after state contract cuts
Summary
Stephanie Allstead, CEO of JBRAJU Services, told the Deschutes County Board that a state/COIC funding reduction initially reported at 20% later grew to 46% before being revised to 33%, creating a roughly $100,000–$150,000 shortfall that threatens youth prevention and shelter programs.
Stephanie Allstead, CEO of JBRAJU Services, told the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 24 that state-coordinated funding changes have left her agency facing repeated contract revisions and a sizable reduction in service dollars. "They cut it 46%, and now it's at 33%, which I gotta say...that's really tough on an agency," she said, and estimated a shortfall "probably around a 100 to a 150,000."
Allstead said JBRAJU operates multiple youth programs in Central Oregon — prevention, intervention, shelter programs (the Loft, Grandma's House, Canal House in Redmond) and services for youth exiting foster care — and that changing award notices from the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) have forced the nonprofit to revise budgets multiple times. She said the governor's multi-agency coordination (MAC) group initially approved a 20% reduction, COIC later told the agency the cut was closer to 46%, and that COIC subsequently revised the cut to 33%.
The context: Allstead said the late contract notices leave agencies fronting costs for services while awaiting state paperwork. She urged the board to support continuing coordination of regional planning tables and to help smaller providers gain a seat at decision-making bodies. Commissioners and staff encouraged continued outreach to COIC leadership and suggested JBRAJU pursue fund-raising and alternative grants to cover the gap. One commissioner asked for the dollar amount of the shortfall; Allstead repeated the $100,000–$150,000 estimate.
The board did not take formal action on funding at the meeting but directed staff and commissioners to continue conversations with regional partners and COIC about participation and the timing of funding decisions. The matter remains under discussion and dependent on COIC and state contract finalizations.
