County to withdraw from Multi-County Juvenile Attention System

County to withdraw from Multi-County Juvenile Attention System
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The Tuscarawas County commissioners unanimously voted to withdraw Tuscarawas County from the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System.

                        

The Tuscarawas County commissioners unanimously voted to withdraw Tuscarawas County from the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System, effective Dec. 31, following a recommendation received from Judge Adam W. Wilgus.

MCJAS was formed in 1973 with the purpose of pooling resources from multiple counties to provide better detention and treatment for juveniles than each county could otherwise provide on their own, but the benefits of MCJAS membership have decreased while the cost of membership has increased.

In 2022 membership in MCJAS cost Tuscarawas County $1.4 million for juvenile detention. Previously, MCJAS offered a boys group home and a residential treatment center to its member counties. Both of those services have been eliminated in recent years. At this time MCJAS membership only provides juvenile detention and a girls group home.

Tuscarawas County commissioners have contracted with Muskingum County to provide juvenile detention services, effective Jan. 1, 2023. The 10-year contract will cost Tuscarawas County $233,600 annually. The agreement with Muskingum County includes counseling services to juveniles in detention, remote visitation with family members, enhanced educational opportunities and advanced security measures.

The existing juvenile attention center on Reiser Avenue Southeast in New Philadelphia, which was built with MCJAS funds, remains the property of MCJAS.

A portion of the approximately $1.1 million annual cost savings to Tuscarawas County will be allocated to funding alcohol and drug treatment and prevention for Tuscarawas County juveniles.


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