2. Attendant Care program - Laserfiche WebLink

MEMO CASSCOUNlY GO V ERN MEN T TO: ~ FROM: Cass County Commission Bonnie Johnson~ Cass County Administrator DATE: June 27, 2008 County Administrator SUBJECT: ATTENDANT CARE PROGRAM Bonnie Johnson ---------------------------------------------------------------- In the early 1990's, when I first was appointed to my current position, I was approached by members of the law enforcement community about resolving an issue regarding juvenile processing in the metro area. While Cass County is charged with the legal responsibility of incarcerating juveniles who committed criminal acts, Lutheran Social Services (LSS) had established an "Attendant Care" program for juveniles who had been picked up by law enforcement officers who may not be delinquent. To further complicate the issue, Cass County Social Services needed placement for children in their protective custody. Confusion existed, at that time, in the law enforcement community regarding the drop off location of juveniles that were picked up. As a result, Cass County formed a subcommittee to review short and long term solutions for space needs of the Attendant Care program. The purpose of the committee was to determine whether space might be available at Cass County nearthe Juvenile Detention Center to provide "one-stop drop off' for law enforcement officials. This would allow employees of the county and LSS to properly determine placement for these children. At that time, Cass County determined they would also use the Attendant Care program for children in protective custody who were not placed in shelter care. I have enclosed meeting minutes beginning in August, 1994, and ending on June 5, 1995 that details the action of the county commission in establishing a drop off center for the Attendant Care program. Now children who had been picked up by an officer were all brought to the same location and processed to either the detention center or Attendant Care. Generally, children in Attendant Care are released to their parents or guardian. From 1994 until this month, no rent has been charged by the county for the use of this location by LSS. By the same token, Cass County Social Services had not been charged a fee by LSS for placement of children in protective custody who were allowed to stay in Attendant Care. Cass County is the only county in North Dakota using the services of Attendant Care for Box 2806 placement of children in protective custody. Other counties use a shelter 211 Ninth Street South care arrangement and pay the associated costs. Most counties have shelter Fargo, North Dakota 58108 care arrangements through their Social Service agencies; however, Burleigh County utilizes the services of Youth Works and Grand Forks County uses 701-241-5720 LSS services. Fax: 701-297-6020 www.casscountynd.gov