Franklin County seeks Vera Institute grant to link prosecutor diversion to workforce, including solar training

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize an application to the Vera Institute of Justice’s Motion for Justice grant to expand the prosecuting attorney’s diversion program and add workforce development components, including solar training.

Janine Hummer, speaking "on behalf of" the prosecuting attorney, told the board the proposed grant would "marry the diversion program to hopefully a workforce development program ensuring success in our diversion program." She said the initiative would include "soft and hard skills training" and would allow eligible diversion participants to "enter the workforce." Hummer added staff surveyed current diversion participants and that "solar was the top priority for them." She said the county expects to know the grant outcome by the end of the month.

President O'Grady and other commissioners asked whether local partners such as Arch and Café Overlook would be involved. Hummer said the program would partner with Arch in workforce development and that the planned initiative would be a distinct solar-focused training track rather than the Café Overlook program referenced in the summary.

The board adopted Resolution 7726 approving the application and authorizing the county administrator to accept the award if granted.

What it means: If funded, the grant would provide contract and grant dollars to expand diversion programming and provide job training aimed at placing participants in paying work. Staff characterized prosecution as a last-resort remedy in related child-support items discussed later in the session.

Next steps: Staff said they should know whether the grant is awarded by the end of the month. The application authorization does not itself create a program until funds and contractual documents are executed.