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Hamilton County accepts grant to bring behavioral-health counseling to juvenile court
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Summary
The commission accepted a no-match state/federal grant to fund counseling at the juvenile detention center and short-term follow-up for youth on probation, with plans to explore transitioning services into schools; county staff and partners were credited for obtaining the award.
Hamilton County commissioners accepted a proposal from Helen Ross McNabb Center Inc. to provide behavioral-health counseling services for juvenile court residents and youth on probation.
Keith Grant told commissioners the grant is funded through state and federal sources and requires no local match. "There's no match," he said, adding the county will provide space for an on-site counselor. Grant said the program will offer counseling while youth are in detention and provide follow-up after release; staff will also explore transitioning services into schools in coordination with Hamilton County Schools.
Grant credited the mayor's office staff — Alexa LaBeouf and Sarah Spencer — and county partners for assisting with the grant application and implementation. Commissioners asked whether the school board had previously declined free counseling; Grant said he did not have full details on any earlier board decisions. Doug Harland, speaking for the school system, said the board had rejected an initial program but later accepted new counseling services.
County staff said there is no local match or cost obligation beyond providing space at juvenile court, though facility construction at the juvenile court may delay an immediate start; staff estimated completion in a few weeks and said a grand-opening invitation would follow when the space is ready.
The commission indicated support for accepting the grant and authorized the county mayor to sign necessary contracts.
