York County Press Release
YORK – The York County Juvenile Diversion program recently was informed it is the recipient of two substantial federal grants which will help grow the program and offer mental health services for kids under 18.
This week, Tristan Perry, the director of the county’s juvenile diversion program, met with the commissioners to discuss the planning period and the need for the county to officially accept the grants.
“The county needs to accept the award of the $650,000 grant, which has a 20% local match in the first year,” Perry said. “The match, I believe, could be an in-kind match, so we will need to make sure what type of in-kind match they will accept. This grant is for mental health services for those under 18.”
It is possible the in-kind match requirement could be met considering the wages the county already pays for juvenile diversion staff, Perry said.
“I will want to know, 100%, if the local match can be in-kind or if it’s money,” said Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier. “And I assume the rest of this board will want to know that also, before we accept the grant award.”
The other board members said they agreed.
Perry said he would solidify that information, noting the acceptance of the grant wouldn’t have to be done until Nov. 7.
Regarding the second grant, which is worth $425,000, Perry said this “will be to make sure all services are effective and evaluated correctly. These funds can be used to assist with the planning phase of the first. This one does not have a match.”
Obermier said he also wanted to know how the grant money would be used, what type of programming it would create.
“I’m in line with Randy in wanting to see how the money will be used and how the next three years will roll out so we can maximize this effort,” Bowman said.
“And we need to have it be very clear about the local match,” said Commissioner Daniel Grotz. “I think you have a lot of work to do before the next meeting because it needs to be much more clear. Grants are cool, but it’s not clear how you are going to use this money, and this board is going to want to see that. I’m hearing how we’ve got a lot of money coming and that’s great, but it needs to be more clear about the match and more put together about what the program will be.”
