Juvenile court notified of competitive RECLAIM Award

Corey Shrieve, bureau chief of community reinvestment at the Ohio Department of Youth Services recently notified Judge Van Blanchard II that the Coshocton County Juvenile Court’s new community resource center proposal has been approved for $125,000 for SFY 2023, and an additional funding award to be determined for SFY 2024. As part of the application process, a series of meetings with agency partners was held, and some 21 letters of support were gathered as part of the application portfolio.

Coshocton County is one of the first small counties in Ohio that will work to establish a center that is focused on early youth and family interventions to avoid more formal systems involvement. Youth identified as in need of services may include “at-risk for delinquent behavior, designated as eligible for diversion, detention, or out of home placement, or in need of fundamental resources and support in the community.”

Identified services to be provided include a host of brief assessments, crisis intervention and management services related to mental health, alternative educational programming, possible mentoring or skill enhancement activities, and basic physical health needs and assessments. Most services will be voluntary for youth and families focused with brief timelines for completion of services.

Targeted referrals for services will be requested from specific partners, and slowly expand as the site and staff determine operational capacity.

While staffing details and a location for the new facility are still in the planning stages, the court hopes to begin services in the coming months from a temporary centralized location while a long-term solution is developed. Many services offered on-site will utilize existing community partners, but independent case management and follow-up will be monitored by the resource center staff.

A site director, mental health professional, and case manager may play key roles in the operation of this facility, with additional resources or contracts provided by the Coshocton County Juvenile Court, Muskingum Area Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, and Coshocton County Commissioners.

The court will work to inform the community with additional details as the resource center continues to develop, and is appreciative for the outpouring of support for this initiative to benefit the youth and families in Coshocton County.