Phelps, Kearney and Harlan Counties have been awarded nearly $69,000 in Community Based Juvenile Services Aid grant funds from the Nebraska Crime Commission.
Phelps County Attorney, Natalie Nelsen-Pacey and Kearney County Attorney, Melodie Bellamy applied for funding to create a juvenile diversion program in the three counties. In conjunction with the county attorneys, a Juvenile Services Officer will work exclusively in these three counties to implement and facilitate the diversion program for juvenile offenders and truant youth.
The goal of the programs will be to educate juveniles, while holding them responsible for their actions and helping them and their families avoid further law enforcement and court involvement.
The Juvenile Services Officer will also work closely with local schools to help reduce excessive absences from school.
Prior to this grant application, Phelps, Kearney and Harlan County were included in South Central Diversion Services based out of Adams County which provided very limited local
diversion services to the counties.
This is an opportunity for the three counties to have more local control over grant funds and provide more diversion services for youth in their communities. Natalie Nelsen-Pacey and Melodie Bellamy are working to secure additional funding to expand the diversion services available in the three counties.
Both are excited for the opportunities this grant will bring to local youth and their communities.
