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Community Corrections wins approval for juvenile budget shifts to test 'repath' diversion option
Summary
County commissioners approved line-item adjustments totaling $16,946.53 that move $13,064.38 within juvenile grant categories to support a juvenile 'repath' diversion tool intended as an alternative to detention.
Catherine O'Rourke of Community Corrections asked the commission to approve budget adjustments moving $13,064.38 out of regular probation budget lines into juvenile grant categories and a total shift of $16,946.53 across diversion, juvenile intake and probation. She said the moves reflect staff-time reallocation after Meredith Olds changed duties and to support a pilot 'repath' option aimed at reducing detention use for youth.
O'Rourke described the repath tool as an option for youth who may not be appropriate for detention but require more structure than periodic check-ins: "instead of having them wear, like, a leg ankle bracelet ... maybe locking them up isn't the most appropriate thing to do — repath instead." A commissioner moved to approve the Kansas Department of Corrections Division of Juvenile Services budget adjustments as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote.
O'Rourke said the operational framework is still being developed and that some program components will be implemented later in the fiscal year once details are finalized.
