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By Mareesa Nicosia
The Saratogian
Published:
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
SARATOGA SPRINGS -
Months-long fundraising efforts to spare Youth Court -
the countywide program meant to prevent first-time teen
offenders from resorting to crime again - have fallen
short of their goals, threatening to strip staff and
services from the program.
The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council
established Youth Court in 1999 to offer youthful
offenders of non-violent crimes an alternative to
serving jail time. Instead, they are tried by their
peers and sentenced to lesser penalties like community
service.
Click here to see video interviews with Youth Court
officers.
Prevention Council officials said in December the
program would likely face severe cuts due to a lack of
state funding this year.
The program serves about 300 young people annually with
a $91,000 budget. Municipalities and school districts
contributed about $21,000 in past years, but those and
government funding streams have shrunk. Employees have
sought to close a budget shortfall of more than $50,000
by applying for grants and soliciting community
donations, said Patty Kilgore, clinical director of the
Prevention Council.
Since late last year, it has received private donations
from individuals and businesses. Employees are working
with U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, to obtain
federal funds that would sustain the program in the
long-term, Kilgore said.
“But we’re still far short of our goal,” she said. “We
are still very actively looking for funding.”
To cut costs, the Prevention Council has reduced the two
Youth Court employees, Director Lisa Chamberlain and
Assistant Director Dawn Knight, to part-time. They are
currently sharing another temporary position within the
organization to maintain full-time status, Kilgore said.
While there’s enough in the bank to keep the program
running for the foreseeable future, the Prevention
Council will resort to layoffs in March if more funds
don’t come through by next month, Kilgore said Tuesday.
“The equivalent of one full-time staff position is
likely to be reduced,” she said.
In further efforts to trim the budget, Youth Court could
consolidate trials in Saratoga, Wilton and Clifton Park.
Initial meetings with youthful offenders, normally held
at their homes, would be held at the Prevention Council
office in downtown Saratoga Springs to cut travel costs.
Kilgore said the program could lose younger Youth Court
officers who rely on their parents to transport them to
and from meetings.
“So we are continuing to serve as many youth as we can,
but it won’t be as convenient,” she said. “At some point
there could come a time where we would have to totally
eliminate the program, but that’s not in the picture
right now. We believe very, very strongly in this
program, and it’s very difficult to consider ending a
program that’s effective and far-reaching in the
community.”
To donate, call 581-1230 or go to
http://www.preventioncouncil.org.
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