Judge eyes detention center for juveniles
QC doubles bonuses for workers, officials
Members of the St. Francis County Quorum Court’s Budget Committee on Tuesday heard from First Judicial District Judge Kathie Hess regarding an appropriation of $50,000 to the juvenile court fund and discussed bonuses for full and part-time county employees.
Justices also discussed ordinances regarding the appropriation of funds to the coroner's office, the 911 department and the Delta Regional Airport Authority.
The committee meeting was followed by a full meeting of the Court. Justice Ernestine Weaver was absent.
Hess told justices she applied for and has been awarded a grant to pay for the salary of a court specialist for the First Judicial District Juvenile Court.
"You all know that every time I get a chance to apply for a grant, I do," said Hess. "The big thing in Arkansas right now is for all the judges across Arkansas to get a court specialist. This is a person who works with folks in the community, either through juvenile court or DHS court, and you see a need for work in the home, with either mom or dad, who are stricken with recovery.
"These people have been through the ringer and back," continued Hess. "They have to do 500 hours with the Department of Human Services before they are even able to take a test. They didn't just jump up and say they wanted to do this, they have to do a lot to get there. I applied for that
$50,000 grant and got it. That $50,000 is going to cover salary, which I think is $36,155, so that money is already there, I just need you all to allow me to use it."
Justices voted unanimously in favor of presenting the ordinance before the full Quorum Court for approval, where it was unanimously approved.
Justice Kendall Owens asked Hess about ways to help juveniles in the community get rehabilitation services.
"Judge, we seem to have a problem in our community with juveniles who are repeat offenders before they hit the age of 18," said Owens. "What do we need to do as a Court to try to make our community a little bit safer while at the same time trying to provide some kind of rehabilitation to these young adults, who are at this point, going in the wrong direction?"
Hess said there are ways community members can reach out and get families the help they need without "pulling the rug out from under them."
"I am so thankful that you
asked that," said Hess. "Four years ago, when I was campaigning, there was a big push by St. Francis County citizens to appropriate money for programs. When I can catch the little ones, which is why I have been pushing that if you are a teacher or neighbor, you can call our intake officer and file a petition. If you see that a family is unattended a lot, that those kids are up and down the street and nobody is watching them, for you to not get involved where you pull the rug out from under them, you can call the intake officer. You don't get them in trouble, you won't get them a delinquency charge, you just file a family in need of services."
According to Hess, the parents may not be aware of their child's delinquency due to working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
"What this does is say, 'Can someone take a look at this,’” said Hess. "It is not even getting to the point where you call DHS. The intake officer would get the family in court and say 'What can we do to help you?' A lot of schools file it