Commissioners Allocate $219,000 for Successful Juvenile Diversion Program
- Steve Jurrens
- 3 hours ago
- 1 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - The Codington County Commissioners unanimously approved the allocation of $219,000 in state funds from the Juvenile Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JJRI) to the Watertown Boys and Girls Club. The funds will be reinvested to continue the county's successful youth diversion program.
State's Attorney Alison Bakken presented the action, noting that the county receives this grant money annually as reimbursement for successful diversion cases. The program is operated by staff at the Watertown Boys and Girls Club, including Lewis Canfield and Miranda Wright…
The diversion program is a central component of the county's strategy for addressing juvenile delinquency. State's Attorney Bakken emphasized that keeping lower-level, lower-risk juveniles in the community is essential, and that diversion offers rehabilitative services described as "pretty intensive".
Commissioner Lee Gabel explained more…
· Cost Efficiency: The reinvestment covers costs for the caseworkers and the Youth Diversion Program. The state provides the county with a $750 per-child fiscal incentive for each successful diversion case that avoids incarceration.
· Effective Model: Commissioners noted that the funds represent a "very purposeful use" of money designated for this goal. Bakken noted that Codington County operates one of the "most robust diversion programs in the state" for youth offenders.
· Wider Reach: The program is available to any juvenile who is subject to the county's juvenile justice system, regardless of whether or not they are a member of the Boys and Girls Club.
The commission's vote to allocate the $219,000 ensures the continuation of the program, which provides community resources and rehabilitative efforts to
