2.13.2008
Volunteers of America awards 17 sub-grants across Wyoming to provide support for juvenile justice issues
February 13, 2009 (Wyoming) – Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana recently awarded seventeen sub-grants to support the state’s efforts in serving youth in the justice system.
The seventeen sub-grants total more than $800,000 and were allocated by Volunteers of America. The Sheridan-based non-profit organization distributed sub-grants to sixteen Wyoming counties and the Wind River Reservation.
Volunteers of America dispensed the funds as part of a $1.14 million grant administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). OJJDP awarded the money to assist Wyoming’s efforts in reforming its juvenile justice system. Wyoming is the only state not in compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 2002, which establishes guidelines to protect youth in the justice system.
The act establishes four core requirements for the safe and appropriate holding of juveniles in detention. The four requirements are: states cannot place juveniles in secured detention for committing a status offense, which is an offense that would not be criminal if committed by an adult; states must separate juveniles by sight and sound from adult inmates in secure facilities; states must keep juveniles out of adult jail and lockups unless specific conditions exist; and states must work to reduce disproportionate contact with minorities in the juvenile justice system.
Volunteers of America has taken on the task of working to bring the state into compliance with these core requirements through education, advocacy and the distribution of sub-grants.
“We are fortunate to be able to dispense these funds throughout Wyoming to help provide appropriate care for juveniles in the justice system,” said Jeffrey Holsinger, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana. “Volunteers of America is committed to helping youths and these funds will directly benefit them.”
“This money is intended to help counties attain compliance with federal standards. Wyoming has made significant progress in the past several years in meeting OJJDP standards,” said Craig Fisgus, director of youth services for Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana. “However, there is much work that remains to be done. Wyoming continues to demonstrate violation rates that exceed federal guidelines which increases the risk to youth.”
The sub-grants assist counties by funding alternatives to secure detention when appropriate for those youth who commit crimes. Alternatives to detention include using group homes and diversion programs, which allow juveniles to remain in the community to receive needed services.
Additionally, the funding will also help ensure that that youth receive appropriate treatment when secure confinement is necessary. Monies will cover transportation and detention costs to guarantee juveniles are placed for appropriate lengths of time in facilities that separate adult inmates from juveniles.
“By utilizing these monies and adhering to federal standards, counties can better meet the needs of their youth,” said Fisgus. “Not only will these funds reduce the risk of harm to youth being held in secure detention, they will support programs that can keep youth in their community.”
The sub-grants included:
Albany County -- $70,221
Big Horn County -- $56,500
Campbell County -- $40,000
Fremont County -- $45,000
Goshen County -- $77,400
Hot Springs County -- $44.020
Johnson County -- $55, 258
Laramie County -- $83,000
Park County -- $63,895
Platte County -- $38,307
Sheridan County -- $20,000
Sublette County -- $20,000
Sweetwater County -- $63,289
Teton County -- $49,468
Uinta County -- $34,620
Washakie County -- $57,000
Wind River Reservation -- $41,219
For more information about Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana’s programs or to donate, call Director of Development Bill Lucas at (307) 672-0475 or visit www.voawymt.org.
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Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a non-profit, faith-based organization that focuses on providing services to the needy that will help them rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. The services include substance abuse treatment, affordable housing, services for homeless, children and youth programs and community enhancement projects.
2.13.2008
Volunteers of America awards 17 sub-grants across Wyoming to provide support for juvenile justice issues
February 13, 2009 (Wyoming) – Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana recently awarded seventeen sub-grants to support the state’s efforts in serving youth in the justice system.
The seventeen sub-grants total more than $800,000 and were allocated by Volunteers of America. The Sheridan-based non-profit organization distributed sub-grants to sixteen Wyoming counties and the Wind River Reservation.
Volunteers of America dispensed the funds as part of a $1.14 million grant administered by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). OJJDP awarded the money to assist Wyoming’s efforts in reforming its juvenile justice system. Wyoming is the only state not in compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 2002, which establishes guidelines to protect youth in the justice system.
The act establishes four core requirements for the safe and appropriate holding of juveniles in detention. The four requirements are: states cannot place juveniles in secured detention for committing a status offense, which is an offense that would not be criminal if committed by an adult; states must separate juveniles by sight and sound from adult inmates in secure facilities; states must keep juveniles out of adult jail and lockups unless specific conditions exist; and states must work to reduce disproportionate contact with minorities in the juvenile justice system.
Volunteers of America has taken on the task of working to bring the state into compliance with these core requirements through education, advocacy and the distribution of sub-grants.
“We are fortunate to be able to dispense these funds throughout Wyoming to help provide appropriate care for juveniles in the justice system,” said Jeffrey Holsinger, president and CEO of Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana. “Volunteers of America is committed to helping youths and these funds will directly benefit them.”
“This money is intended to help counties attain compliance with federal standards. Wyoming has made significant progress in the past several years in meeting OJJDP standards,” said Craig Fisgus, director of youth services for Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana. “However, there is much work that remains to be done. Wyoming continues to demonstrate violation rates that exceed federal guidelines which increases the risk to youth.”
The sub-grants assist counties by funding alternatives to secure detention when appropriate for those youth who commit crimes. Alternatives to detention include using group homes and diversion programs, which allow juveniles to remain in the community to receive needed services.
Additionally, the funding will also help ensure that that youth receive appropriate treatment when secure confinement is necessary. Monies will cover transportation and detention costs to guarantee juveniles are placed for appropriate lengths of time in facilities that separate adult inmates from juveniles.
“By utilizing these monies and adhering to federal standards, counties can better meet the needs of their youth,” said Fisgus. “Not only will these funds reduce the risk of harm to youth being held in secure detention, they will support programs that can keep youth in their community.”
The sub-grants included:
Albany County -- $70,221
Big Horn County -- $56,500
Campbell County -- $40,000
Fremont County -- $45,000
Goshen County -- $77,400
Hot Springs County -- $44.020
Johnson County -- $55, 258
Laramie County -- $83,000
Park County -- $63,895
Platte County -- $38,307
Sheridan County -- $20,000
Sublette County -- $20,000
Sweetwater County -- $63,289
Teton County -- $49,468
Uinta County -- $34,620
Washakie County -- $57,000
Wind River Reservation -- $41,219
For more information about Volunteers of America Wyoming & Montana’s programs or to donate, call Director of Development Bill Lucas at (307) 672-0475 or visit www.voawymt.org.
###
Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America is a non-profit, faith-based organization that focuses on providing services to the needy that will help them rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. The services include substance abuse treatment, affordable housing, services for homeless, children and youth programs and community enhancement projects.