DA and public defender outline gaps: child advocacy center, opioid intercept and new client advocate

District Attorney Steven Baratta updated the committee on staffing and program plans for the DA's office, saying he intends to hire one additional county detective and is working with the county executive and personnel committee to reassign positions related to the drug task force. "I'm getting some opioid funding now," Baratta said, adding he plans to use that money to pilot an early-intercept program in the prison to assess and connect people with recovery specialists immediately after booking.

Baratta also discussed the county's lack of a stand-alone child advocacy center, noting Lehigh County had previously hosted regional services but that a local center would be costly and might be done regionally at first. "I don't foresee a child advocacy center immediately right now," he said, while noting ongoing conversations with other counties and partners.

Noria D'Aluzio, chief public defender, told the committee her office received a client-advocate grant in January 2025 and has since placed an advocate who participates in FACT meetings and helps identify high-risk inmates for timely intervention. She described changes to the office that assign dedicated attorneys to specialty matters—juvenile, veterans and diversion—to improve continuity of representation.

Why it matters: Both offices said they are repositioning resources to strengthen coordination with treatment courts and the jail; Baratta's opioid funds could finance an intervention that reduces downstream bed days and improves linkage to services. D'Aluzio agreed to provide committee members with additional numbers on opioid involvement among clients if requested.

Next steps: Baratta said staffing and budget proposals will be included in the county budget process beginning in June; D'Aluzio will provide requested data to council members.