By VICKI URBANIK

Porter County juvenile court officials are awaiting state approval to begin a new juvenile drug court, which will focus on treatment of offenders with substance abuse problems.

With an anticipated start date of Sept. 1, the Porter County Commissioners on Tuesday approved a request from the Juvenile Probation Department for $12,819 in equipment needs for the new court.

Porter County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Amy Beier said the juvenile drug court will be limited to 10 participants, at least initially. She noted that because this will be an entirely new program for Porter County, officials want to take the time needed to make it successful. Further, a larger drug court could require additional staff.

Only two other Indiana counties currently have juvenile drug courts. Beier commended the support from the Porter County Council, which agreed to fund a new probation officer in this year’s budget specifically for the new court.

The juvenile court will be targeted to offenders whose chemical dependency problem is determined to be the main contributor to their delinquency. Offenders will be screened and if a substance abuse issue is suspected, referred to the Porter County Family and Youth Service Bureau for additional assessment before the referral to the drug court.

The new juvenile court will be similar to Porter County’s adult drug court, in that it will convene once a week and will involve intense supervision.

Although the juveniles will still be required to do community service or other court-imposed penalties, the primary focus will be on treatment.

“The treatment is very key,” Beier said. “The premise is that this is a chemical dependency issue … and it is the root of their juvenile delinquency.”

The juvenile drug court will be set up in a room in the Juvenile Service Center that used to house the former Learning Place school. Porter County Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper will be the presiding judge.

The equipment purchase approved Tuesday will go for items to set up the new court, such as chairs, court reporting equipment, and computers.

Although the court will function similar to the adult drug court, juvenile drug courts require a number of additional components, Beier said. The court will be certified and licensed by the state judicial center.

Commissioner President Robert Harper said the adult drug court has been in place for about two years and has been successful.

Planning Matters

In other matters Tuesday, the commissioners gave second, and final reading approval, of a rezoning for Inspiration Wood, a retreat center proposed on C.R. 1200N and 650E in Pine Township.

The commissioners approved a convenant stating that if the retreat center doesn’t go through as planned, the rezoning to Parks will revert to Rural-Residential.

The commissioners also gave final reading to four new ordinances amending and expanding the requirements on landscaping in new developments. The changes include size requirements for trees and bushes and a new requirement for trees along the streets in residential subdivisions.

Appointments

Also Tuesday, the commissioners reappointed Dale Crandall to the Porter County Aviation Authority Board.

They also appointed the following to the Porter County Juvenile Service Center Building Corporation: Beier, Judge Mary Harper, South County Commissioner Carole Knoblock and County Council member Karen Conover.

Purchases

The commissioners agreed that the county’s Print Shop should go ahead with plans for a new air conditioning unit. Earlier, North Porter County Commissioner John Evans expressed reservations about the high price tag but said Tuesday that the need for the new air system is critical.

Because of a large disparity in pricing, the commissioners agreed that, after further review, the most responsive and responsible bid will be accepted. The lowest bid came in at about $24,000.

The commissioners also approved two additional contracts, one for up to $5,000 and the other for $14,000 with the X-Soft company, which is providing new assessor software. One of the contracts is for the assessor web page, which will allow property owners to access information online.

Posted 7/2/2008