AUSTINTOWN Program for troubled children will return

Trustees will bring back two laid-off caseworkers.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- A judge will use a $67,323 state grant to bring back a trimmed-down version of a township program designed to help young people in trouble with police or at school.
Judge Theresa Dellick of Mahoning County Juvenile Court is expected to discuss using the grant to pay for the juvenile diversion program at next Monday's township trustees' meeting.
Trustees eliminated the program in May in an effort to save money. They're expected to use the grant to bring back the program as soon as possible.
In a written statement, Judge Dellick noted that the number of young people from Austintown appearing in juvenile court has increased since the program was cut. She added that Austintown sends the second-largest number of juvenile offenders to the court.
Staffing
The program costs about $100,000 each year. The grant is expected to allow trustees to bring back a full-time caseworker as well as one of the two part-time caseworkers who were laid off when the program was eliminated.
"We're going to go as far as the money will take us," Trustee David Ditzler said.
Trustees said they would be able to bring back the other laid-off caseworker if voters approve a 2.5-mill levy expected to appear on the ballot in November.
Without budget cuts or additional revenue, the township is slated to have a $1.2 million deficit at the end of this year.
Trustee Richard Edwards said Dellick's decision to spend the grant on the program was a reflection of the program's quality.
"We had an excellent juvenile diversion program," Edwards said. "[Judge Dellick] felt it was such a good program that she wanted to reinstate it."
How it works
Juveniles are referred to the program by school or judicial officials or the police. After receiving the referral, the program's staff meets with the family of the juvenile to discuss any family problems.
The staff then assigns responsibilities to the juveniles, which can include obeying their parents, attending school, and respecting themselves and others. Those who do not fulfill their responsibilities can be sent to juvenile detention.
About 70 juveniles were enrolled in the program each year.
hill@vindy.com