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Juvenile Court seeks $645,000 in opioid funds to renew three programs
Summary
Juvenile Court asked the Budget & Finance committee to allocate $645,000 from the opioid special revenue fund to renew three programs (Youth Advocate, Nurturing Parenting/Porter Leaf, and Inside Circle). Commissioners pressed for details on carryover funds, program launch delays, and per-participant costs; the amendment was withdrawn for further review and referred to the June 10 committee meeting.
Juvenile Court asked the Shelby County Budget & Finance committee to appropriate $645,000 from the opioid special revenue fund to continue three court-directed programs that provide parent supports, youth advocacy and group therapy.
Karan Folsam, chief administrative officer for Juvenile Court, said the funds would cover renewals for the Youth Advocate program, the Nurturing Parenting program run through Porter Leaf, and Inside Circle, which is a planned group-therapy partner for the county's youth justice facility. Folsam told commissioners the parenting program includes transportation, on-site childcare and food, and reported an 85% program completion rate across three cohorts.
Sponsor Commissioner Charlie Caswell Jr. framed the amendment as an investment in prevention and re-entry supports. Committee members pressed for operational detail: Folsam said cohorts average about 16 people, with 33 participants recently completing the parenting curriculum and 12 scheduled to graduate the same day. The court said the grant's budgeting estimated roughly $1,300 per participant for the nurturing-parent curriculum, while other programs carry different cost structures and ramp-up costs.
Commissioners focused on funding sources and timing. The court confirmed that a $215,000 allocation for Inside Circle had been budgeted by resolution earlier in the year but the program could not start because the county contract was not executed and the vendor's certificate of insurance had only recently cleared. Finance administrator Michael Thompson said allocated-but-unspent FY26 opioid dollars remain encumbered in the opioid fund balance and can be carried forward when appropriated; Audrey Tipton, director of administration and finance, reiterated that the county carries forward encumbrances but must ensure revenue timing before committing funds.
The committee did not vote on the amendment. Sponsor Commissioner Caswell withdrew the motion to allow staff to reconcile encumbrances and to return with clarified funding and spending projections; the budget resolution and related amendments were referred to the next committee meeting on June 10 for further action.
What happens next: staff from Juvenile Court and the finance office will provide an updated accounting of FY26 encumbrances and a clear plan for how FY27 funding would be applied to program launch and renewals. The item will return to committee June 10.
