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Lebanon County probation office to apply for $160,060 JRI grant to fund training, retention and radio upgrades
Summary
Probation officials won board approval to apply for up to $160,060 in Justice Reinvestment Initiative funding to create a continuous quality-improvement officer, fund senior probation positions to help retention, contract for a SIM workshop and upgrade portable radios; commissioners approved the application by motion.
Probation Services officials told the Lebanon County Board of Commissioners they will apply for Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) funding of $160,060 to support training, retention and equipment upgrades for probation staff.
George Shard, identified as an officer in Probation Services, and Audrey Fortner, director of probation services, said the proposal includes four components: a continuous quality improvement (CQI) officer to coordinate training and update procedures; supplemental funding for senior probation officer positions to address high turnover; contracting with Policy Research Associates for a Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) two‑day workshop to support diversion and a proposed wellness court; and upgrades to portable radios so officers retain communications capability while transporting or supervising clients outside the county.
Fortner presented retention figures to illustrate the need: over a recent three‑year span the office hired 21 field officers and retained approximately 38 percent of those hires, and she described rising initial costs the county bears — psychological screening, drug tests, ballistic vests and uniforms — that together can total roughly $2,300 per new hire in direct outlays before training time is counted.
Officials said the grant period could be structured over 24 to 36 months; Fortner said the proposal uses available funds to cover a larger share of a CQI position in year one and a smaller share in year two so the county would carry a reduced share if the program is not renewed.
A commissioner moved to authorize submission of the grant application; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The grant request is competitive in its eligibility rules but the presenters stated this funding stream for JRI is an allocated program for qualifying counties. Commission discussion focused on the sustainability of positions if future JRI funding is not available and on clarifying consultant and equipment line items. Commissioners asked staff to monitor outcomes and to report back on whether JRI 2 funds become available again.
Closing: The board approved the application submission; staff will return with any required grant documents and implementation details if the award is made.
