Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Meeting

Meeting Overview The Buncombe County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) held a hybrid meeting on February 20, 2025, with the virtual portion conducted due to weather concerns. The agenda included the approval of previous minutes, reports from the Monitoring and Allocations Committees, updates on Program Enhancement Plans (PEPs), and briefings from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) regarding juvenile justice and community programs.

Key Decisions and Approvals The council unanimously approved the board minutes from the December 19, 2024 meeting. The Allocations Committee addressed the reallocation of $50,000 resulting from the closure of the Buncombe County Youth Justice Clinical Program. After reviewing proposals from Aspire, Buncombe Alternatives, Pivot Point, and UNETE, the committee voted to split the funds evenly, allocating $25,000 to Aspire and $25,000 to Buncombe Alternatives to support the purchase of new vans.

Monitoring Committee and Program Updates Andy Babowski presented the Monitoring Committee’s report, which detailed visits to Aspire Youth and Family, Buncombe Alternatives, Umoja, and Pivot Point. All four programs received positive feedback and recommendations for continued funding without conditions. Aspire was recognized for its vocational skills program, while Buncombe Alternatives was praised for its restorative practices, with a suggestion to refine referral processes. Umoja was recommended to explore data evaluation, and Pivot Point was commended for its adaptability during Hurricane Helene.

Regarding Program Enhancement Plans (PEPs), Aspire shared plans to improve duration and contact hours through staff training and collaboration with court counselors. Buncombe Alternatives highlighted efforts to track referrals and expand services through partnerships. Pivot Point outlined plans for expanding community engagement. Aspire and Buncombe Alternatives are newer programs and are not required to complete a PEP at this time.

NCDPS Updates and Regulatory Matters Sylvia Clement, Chief Court Counselor, reported that NCDPS numbers are stable and highlighted a successful book club program for juveniles, noting that the department is working to educate law enforcement on the juvenile justice process. Lorraine Williams, Western Area Consultant, provided an update on DJJ Community Programs. The meeting packet also included a memorandum from NCDPS regarding a Critical Program Standard Violation Inquiry involving Aspire Youth and Family’s "Catawba! Kids at Work!" program. The inquiry found that the program violated safety standards by providing a youth with a knife without proper supervision. Aspire is required to submit a Plan of Correction, which includes immediately suspending the distribution of knives and modifying Chef Kits to exclude weapons.

Follow-ups and Next Steps Lorraine Williams agreed to follow up by providing written updates on discretionary funds and the intervention services Request for Proposal (RFP). The council noted that a program effectiveness report is due on March 4, 2025, and an RFP for intervention services will be released with a deadline of March 4, 2025. The next JCPC meeting and allocations hearing are scheduled for March 12, 2025.

Community Impact These decisions demonstrate the council’s active role in supporting youth services in Buncombe County. By reallocating funds for vehicle purchases, the council is addressing transportation barriers for two key organizations. The regulatory action regarding the Aspire program underscores the council’s commitment to safety standards in youth programming, while the upcoming RFP and effectiveness reports will guide future funding allocations for intervention services.