Crawford County officials gathered on February 14, 2025, to discuss the renewal of critical grants aimed at supporting the county's restorative justice programs. The meeting highlighted three key grants that are essential for funding services for youth involved in the justice system.

The first grant, the 2026 Comprehensive Plan Grant, requests $499,668.16, maintaining the same funding level as the previous year. This grant supports core programs such as juvenile intake and assessment, which provides 24/7 crisis counseling for youth aged 0 to 17 who come into contact with law enforcement. Other programs under this grant include juvenile intensive supervised probation and case management for youth in custody due to behavioral issues.

The second grant discussed was the Juvenile Reinvestment Grant, amounting to $150,077.56. This funding, established under a 2016 legislative initiative, supports services for justice-involved youth, including family services and support groups.

Lastly, the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board Grant, totaling $165,654.46, focuses on mentoring and educational services for youth. All three grants are crucial for the county's ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for young people in the justice system.

County officials expressed confidence that these grants would not be affected by recent federal funding freezes, ensuring continued support for these vital programs. The total funding from these grants is projected to exceed $1 million, underscoring the importance of these resources for the community.

The meeting concluded with a motion to approve the grants, which was seconded and passed unanimously, marking a significant step forward in the county's commitment to restorative justice initiatives.