County’s juvenile diversion program receives federal grants

YORK – The York County Juvenile Diversion Program has received two substantial federal grants which will help grow the program.

​Juvenile Diversion Director Tristan Perry said his office was recently notified about the awards.
One of the grants is to enhance mental health services through the juvenile diversion office. The second grant is assist youth further, before they are involved with the legal system as when they are and afterwards as well.
One grant is worth $650,000 over three years. The other is worth $425,000.
When it comes to the second grant, York County was one of 13 recipients in the United States.
He said he will be reviewing very closely all details of the federal grants and then progressing forward.
York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier stressed “very meticulous paperwork will be required” regarding the administration of these grants as they are federal in nature, with very stringent guidelines. Perry said he was aware and was pleased to be moving forward. He said he was also pleasantly surprised the federal grants were coming to York County.
York County Attorney Gary Olson also applied for a very large federal grant to combat the abuse of controlled substances in York County. He said the York County grant application made it through the first round and it might be a few weeks before notifications are announced.
Also during this past week’s county commissioner meeting:

• York Highway Superintendent Harvey Keim said the roads department continues to blade roads and haul gravel. He also said they are currently doing concrete patching on Road G (between Klute Inc. and Highway 34) – traffic has slowed through that stretch, due to the patching work, but vehicles can still get through in one lane.
• The commissioners went into executive session to discuss a general assistance request to pay for a cremation. When they came out of executive session, they voted in favor of approving the general assistance request.
• Claims were approved. Commissioner LeRoy Ott had a question regarding a payment for gravel with Obermier noting the county spends about $1 million each year for the rock and gravel used on the county’s roads.
• A motor vehicle exemption request from Renewed Horizons was approved for a 2018 Ford Fusion.
• Two tax list corrections were made, regarding personal property.
• Some commissioners and county staff members will be attending the Nebraska Association of County Officials legislative session next week.