Staff preparing cost analysis and performance contracting tool before board vote on Berks County placement option

Chris Welch, a member of board staff, told the board staff are compiling a comprehensive financial analysis of secure-detention costs—covering sheriff’s costs, juvenile probation, public defender travel and other county expenditures—to present before the board decides whether to support a proposed contract to place some youths in Berks County. Welch said the work is intended to show “how much we’re spending on secure detention across the county” so the board can make an informed decision.

Welch also described a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) that includes a subcontract with Data in Action, a nonprofit that would help develop a performance-based contracting tool to improve oversight of service providers. Welch said the subcontract is funded with grant dollars and “it's already been included in the budget.” Board members asked whether the Berks contract had been approved or executed; staff said they did not know the solicitor’s approval status and will check and report back.