Lake County officials outline Treatment Court Measure 57 funding and juvenile-prevention grant

Community Corrections Director Jake Greer told the Lake County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 that the county is receiving Measure 57 funds through an intergovernmental agreement with the State Department of Corrections to pay for cognitive-therapy services provided by Outback Strong and to cover half of the salary for a Treatment Court parole and probation officer.

Greer said the funding supports Treatment Court services and that a portion of the funds will be used for the Drug Court Parole and Probation Officer. He also presented Reinstatement and Amendment No. 2 to Grant No. 15678 with the Oregon Department of Education, which provides juvenile crime-prevention funding for the Mentoring and Youth Investment programs. Greer said he would provide an update on the Youth Investment Program at the commissioners' meeting in two weeks.

Commissioner Barry Shullanberger warned that if the district attorney does not refer more individuals to Treatment Court the county risks losing the program; Greer confirmed the program's viability depends on adequate referrals and noted three new referrals in the prior month. Commissioners discussed options for ensuring providers can be competitively procured: Greer said using additional providers would require publishing a Request for Proposals.

Greer also acknowledged there had been some reluctance among partners to place individuals in the Treatment Court program "due to personal issues with me," and said the court and local supporters including Judge Vandenberg were strong proponents of continued operation. Commissioners expressed interest in ensuring continuity; action or formal consideration of the agreements was deferred to the Regular Session.