Facility reports staffing gains and DCS approval but questions remain on per‑child costs and transport staffing
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Summary
Facility staff reported recent hires, completed training and a licensing visit scheduled for the 23rd; DCS issued a three‑year approval notice. Board members flagged unclear per‑child cost calculations for out‑of‑county placements and an ongoing transport officer shortage that relies on reserve officers and sheriff’s medical staff.
Miss Lively, the facility operations lead, told the juvenile detention oversight board on Feb. 5 that staffing pressures are easing as five new officers began training and additional hires are scheduled. She said the facility currently shows four open officer positions and has promoted an employee to facilities manager to oversee kitchen and laundry operations.
"We're starting to see a dip in that overtime," Miss Lively said, attributing the decline to expanded shift training and staff signoffs on updated policies intended to reduce overtime and balance shifts.
Miss Lively also reported a licensing visit set for the 23rd and said the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) had provided a three‑year approval notice that was received during the meeting; Speaker 1 asked that the approval notice be forwarded to the board.
On administrative progress, Miss Lively summarized a CTAS (County Technical Assistance Service) report noting 81 completed items and 15 still in progress, most awaiting budget resolution.
Board members raised practical and financial questions about capacity and outside placements. Speaker 8 asked, "How much does it cost to house a child per day?" and described how per‑child costs vary widely with length of stay, staffing ratios and case complexity — a calculation the board said it needs before accepting out‑of‑county placements.
The meeting discussed current DCS and inter‑county rates, but the transcript contained unclear numeric fragments about exact per‑day figures; Speaker 1 said staff would make an inquiry to obtain authoritative contract rates.
Transport staffing was also a focus. The board said it has not had a dedicated transport officer since Jan. 23; reserve officers and the sheriff’s office medical transport staff have temporarily covered transfers. Speakers described plans to hire graduate officers trained to transport youth while covering facility shifts, but participants said the current arrangement is not sustainable.
Corey Gower (named in the record) updated the board on personnel progress, saying several vacancies had been filled since the last commission meeting and that new staff and training are beginning to change facility culture.
Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will circulate the DCS approval notice, clarify contract rates for placements, and board members were asked to submit candidate recommendations for the advisory board ahead of the March 17 meeting.