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5. COUNTY ATTORNEY MARTY KLEIN DISCUSSION & POSSIBLE ACTION <br /> REGARDING FUNDING OF A JDAI COORDINATOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEE — <br /> County Attorney Marty Klein, Judge Wetzel and Judge Corey were present. Marty <br /> stated he had talked to board previously about this alternative to detaining juveniles. It <br /> has been found that taking juveniles out of their homes and school settings has a bad <br /> outcome. He is asking consideration to fill this position. The goal is to develop <br /> relationships that will have better out comes for juveniles. We need to learn to <br /> rehabilitate them to be better members of society this would be less pressure on the <br /> system and less detention costs and a benefit to the community. They are asking for a <br /> full time coordinator for 2 years. <br /> Marty said he has talked to Connie Hultine, other probation officers, Sheriff Conrad <br /> Capitan Jim Duering with the City Police Department, Robin Dexter, Randy See Tami <br /> Gangwish Don Quick and others. They all believe that a coordinator position would be <br /> beneficial. Discussion is that it could be a probation employee because they would <br /> access to the necessary data. <br /> Marty noted the costs of juvenile detention over the last few years. Juvenile crime is <br /> increasing. He also noted how kids will walk in to the front door of school and walk out <br /> the back. He questioned if there could be partnerships with community businesses for <br /> after school programs to help parent keep juveniles accountable. This position will <br /> focus on keeping kids out of detention and look at local shelters or foster care or respite <br /> care to prevent activities that could lead to potential detention. This would be a benefit <br /> to all of us. This employee would need access to the necessary data and he suggested <br /> that they could be a probation employee. This would be a joint department and <br /> maintain working relationships. They would need to meet regularly and develop solid <br /> relationships. Marty said he did apply for a grant but it was not funded. <br /> Judge Corey stated the board has be proactive on focusing on juveniles in our <br /> community. It was discussed that if they did not get the grant they would comeback to <br /> the county board. This is working in Douglas Sarpy, Lancaster and Otoe counties. This <br /> would give them the opportunity to focus on alternative resources to have better <br /> outcomes. It is difficult to give definite dollars.\ <br /> Judge Wetzel noted that there was recently a statement for $8,000.00 it does not take <br /> long in a detention facility to spend a considerable amount of money. He tries to not <br /> hold juveniles more than 60 days. <br /> Marty said he sent a file with information for a special probation officer noting a salary of <br /> $55,539.00 insurance costs at $17,631.00 an estimate would be about $72,000.00. The <br /> probation office would bill the county for the costs. He would encourage the board to <br /> 6 <br />