The Carbon and Emery Counties Children’s Justice Centers (CJC) and Family Support Center Advisory Board discussed the possibility of closing the Emery County CJC during a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
Each year, Shelley Wright of the CJCs and Family Support Center conducts an update on the statistics in both Carbon and Emery counties. This way, the board was able to see that the Emery County statistics were at only 17 for 2018, calling into question why they are keeping the center open for such a small amount when it costs a sizable sum to run.
Wright stated that she then spoke with the Emery County Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) caseworker, who agreed to try and bring in more cases. Already, an improvement has been witnessed, with 23 cases at the end of March and many months left in the year.
Wright questioned that if the group decides to stop funding the center, what does the CJC funding look like? She contacted the Children’s Justice Division and was placed on the state board agenda, whom she met with and gained a number of ideas. These ideas ranged from a “soft” room or a mobile unit.
It costs $6,000 per year in rent alone to keep the Emery County center open, not including yard care, utilities and travel costs. However, it was reported that the rent is one hundred percent sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group. The nonprofit group also discussed providing gas cards to families that would need to travel to Carbon County for interviews and other matters.
The board discussed, in length, the options presented to them and what they believed would be best for the area. Possibly inviting board member and Emery County Commissioner Gil Conover to the Emery County location to see how it is utilized was discussed as well as approaching the nonprofit board and requesting time for resolution before a decision is made.
Ultimately, the board agreed to speak with the nonprofit organization the following evening to discuss options and time.
