The Sawyer County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee meeting on April 13, 2025, highlighted significant developments in local youth support programs, particularly focusing on truancy and diversion initiatives. The committee expressed enthusiasm about the newly established truancy position and the associated diversion program, which aims to address school attendance issues among at-risk youth.

Melinda Ollos, a paraeducator from the local middle school, has been appointed to the truancy position, set to begin on June 1. The committee emphasized the importance of her experience in building relationships with challenging students. In the interim, the contracted program, Sirona, will start working with referrals to engage families and identify barriers to school attendance.

The meeting also discussed the integration of various community services to support families. The committee plans to utilize programs like Bajiki's Good Life, which assists families at risk of involvement in the justice system, and the county's CST program for additional parenting resources. The goal is to encourage proactive participation from families in these services as part of their informal agreements with the county.

Concerns were raised about the prevalence of alcohol use among youth, with reports indicating that some juveniles are struggling with severe alcohol-related issues. The committee acknowledged the need for increased awareness and resources to address this problem.

Additionally, Dave Dixon introduced Timber Bay, a faith-based mentoring program aimed at helping at-risk youth through outdoor activities and relationship building. The program, which has seen success in Minnesota, is set to launch in Hayward, providing another avenue for youth support in the community.

Overall, the meeting underscored a collaborative effort to enhance youth services in Sawyer County, with a focus on truancy prevention, family engagement, and addressing substance abuse issues. The committee is optimistic about the upcoming initiatives and their potential impact on local youth.