“This past year with JDAI, we have been able to develop and formalize a number of policies and procedures which help to make our local juvenile justice systems more fair and transparent,” said Dr. Natalie Daily-Federer, JDAI Co-Coordinator. “We look forward to further growth and development of JDAI and we are really excited about these additional funds which will benefit our local youth and our community.”

The additional funding is to continue support of high school mentoring programs in both schools and to expand the programs to the middle school. This program helps provide additional support to youth about life choices, consequences, and building resilience in life in order to face and grow from challenging situations.

Funding for a truancy program for both schools will help smooth the process between the schools and the justice system in a way that is formalized and systematic. Truancy is a strong indicator of further criminality and also increases the chance for the youth to not complete his/her education.

As noted by Judge Shurn, “This July brings the culmination of two years of difficult work by numerous groups in this community and sets standards to insure that young people are not harmed by the juvenile justice system as we hold them accountable for acts the law deems inappropriate, all while insuring the safety of the community.”

The judge added he is “particularly excited by the mentoring and truancy programs which are now being funded. Twenty-four years ago this court, in cooperation with then prosecuting attorney Jeanene Calabrese and welfare director Laurel Myers, created an alternative education program for at-risk, suspended, and expelled students. As personnel changed and prevention money moved from local control to state control, funding for that program dried up. It is now being recaptured though the hard work of Dr. Daily-Federer and vital programs are being reestablished in cooperation with both school corporations.”

These programs are being further developed in hopes of providing youth with an opportunity to learn and grow from their life situations and for some, to help avoid the justice system. Defined as preventive programs and alternatives to detention programming, these community based programs provide a level of support, encouragement, and attention to youth. The programs also are a way for local residents to save on their tax dollars. When a youth goes to secure detention, it is paid for by local tax dollars and the cost averages $125 or more a day to keep a youth in secure detention.

A total of $41,000 is being utilized with both Winamac Community and West Central high schools to implement an at-risk youth mentoring program and for the truancy program. This grant funding is provided by the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC).

Indiana is one of nearly 300 JDAI sites in 40 states and the District of Columbia to implement the JDAI process and the eight core strategies to enhance and improve their juvenile justice systems. Indiana continues to be a national leader in advancing the cause of an equitable and effective juvenile justice system.