Jefferson County starting second year of diversion, attendance support programs for area youth in need

FAIRBURY - Jefferson County officials are getting ready to help a number of area youth as the new school year approaches.

The county is in their second year of their diversion and attendance support programs, which are designed to keep juveniles out of trouble.

"If we can establish some kind of an effort to identify (issues) early on," county commissioner Mark Schoenrock said, "to keep young people in school, and get them on a better path."

Last year, Jefferson County had an interlocal agreement with Seward County for these programs. That agreement ended earlier this year, so Jefferson County is trying to run things on their own. However, they do have a partnership with neighboring Thayer County for the attendance support program. Jefferson will receive reimbursement from Thayer County for providing the same services to their westerly neighbor.

"We're trying to be more effective at reducing criminality," Jefferson County attorney Joe Casson said. "We're also trying to save the taxpayers money, because putting people through the court system is expensive. We'll actually be saving money rather than costing money."

With these programs, Jefferson County hopes to offer youth in need a number of services and activities to help steer them in the right direction. The county was able to help 100 juveniles last year, and Casson expects that number to rise.

The Family and Youth Involvement Center in Fairbury provides youth a safe place to attend after school with numerous activities. There's also online courses, drug testing and mental health evaluations available for a juvenile’s specific needs.

"We're going to be able to make a difference in the community county-wide," said Don Cook, who's the director of diversion services. "We want to try and keep juveniles out of the juvenile justice system."

The diversion and attendance support programs cost Jefferson County about $120,000 annually. Schoenrock says constituents ask him why taxpayers should spend money on programs like these. Schoenrock's belief is that the programs will not only give youth a chance at a better future, but will save the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long haul.

While the diversion and attendance support costs roughly $120,000 annually, Schoenrock estimates county jail costs exceed $750,000 annually in the county's roughly $6 million budget.

"Legal costs, lawyers, jail, law enforcement, medical, dental, transportation...there's a lot of money that goes down that rat hole," Schoenrock said. "When you look at the overall costs, this is a much more cost efficient way for us to address the problem."

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