Lawmaker talks about moving forward with DJJ

DJJ is set to give progress update in September

(ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — The Department of Juvenile Justice, back in the spotlight, this time trying to find solutions to problems.

“What came out in the meeting on the budget review subcommittee, is the budget review of the appropriations and revenue was almost criticism that we didn’t budget money properly, made clear by the governor in some other comments, and we take exception to that,” says Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, whom was in attendance at the meeting on Wednesday.

During the meeting of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary, lawmakers heard an update from new Commissioner Randy White.

“Juveniles that enter in the criminal justice system are a different population than they were 27 years ago they’re committing harsher crimes which require stronger rehabilitative
efforts for Kentucky to truly reduce the juvenile population we must focus on alternatives to detention,” says Commissioner White.

White also disclosed a list of where money is going ranging from salary increases to transportation costs.

“Juveniles need our support and I pledge to do just that by prioritizing our efforts on reducing youth crime and recidivism increasing mental health treatment,  enhancing employee training,” said White.

Senator Funke Frommeyer asked about the acute mental health facility and how much that would cost, adding that, “we’re having a hard time funding is we’ve got some facilities, but facilities isn’t where we want these kids, necessarily. We want them in community based settings, if at all possible, as much as possible.”

Meantime those in the department say “we’ve continued to work with a team of design experts that have an expertise in trauma-informed care and high acuity mental health, as well as CHFS and so we’re regularly meeting with them because we want to develop you know a really well-rounded proposal make sure we’re not missing anything,” said Rebecca Norton, the budget director for the Justice Cabinet.

Funke Frommeyer says they have until December to straighten out the numbers in regards to funding. The department is scheduled to give a progress update in September.

“Let’s get these young people that are creating the trouble in a place that they can be held accountable, and let’s get them back into productive living, productive life. No one wants to be dependent all the time on someone else. They want to be self sufficient, that’s freedom, that’s the American dream,” she added.