[Durham INC] Youth Home Expansion Project Nears Final Approval

[Jones, Henry R.]

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                          Date: 12/10/21
Contact: Public Information Office                   Phone: (919) 560-0000/Fax: (919) 560-0020
E-mail: publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov<mailto:publicinformationoffice at dconc.gov>

Youth Home Expansion Project Nears Final Approval

Durham, N.C. - County Commissioners will take the next step in moving the proposed expansion of the Durham County Youth Home, located at 2432 Broad Street forward. A vote to appropriate project funding through the approval of a capital project ordinance in the amount of $29,970,128 for the New Durham County Youth Home Project<https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-f-z/youth-home/youth-home-construction-project> and to approve an easement and survey plat with Duke Energy for the project is set for the December 13th regular agenda. The Durham County Youth Home Project is in the County's current Capital Project Plan (CIP) approved in June of 2020. The funding source for this $29.9M on the December 13th regular agenda is Limited Obligation Bonds (LOBs) funding.

Durham County has worked on developing this project for a significant number of years and the planned new 36-bed facility is set to be constructed on the same site of the current Youth Home. The current facility has 14 beds and is 40 years old. The new facility is designed to meet the County's needs for 50 years, will be a LEED Gold facility, and will create safe and therapeutic accommodations for youth housed at the facility. Most importantly, the construction of this facility means that Durham County youth can remain in Durham County, ensuring that they are close to their family and guardians as well as continue to receive community-based wraparound support services.

Residents may recall that Durham County is legally obligated to construct this new youth home pursuant to a 2019 settlement agreement. With that, this new Youth Home must accommodate juveniles and comply with the sight and sound separation requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). Additionally, the facility is necessary to fully comply with state law.

In December 2019, "Raise the Age" legislation became effective and held that 16- and 17-year-old individuals who commit crimes in North Carolina were no longer automatically charged in the adult criminal justice system. This new legislation created a situation in which larger modernized youth facilities were necessary to legally house incarcerated juveniles.

The 41,055 sq. ft. facility will usher in a new era of improved youth services, primarily allowing enhancements and flexibility in programming. Approximately 66 percent of the facility (27,545 sq. ft.) will be used for programs and services to address security, mental health, and educational needs of juveniles. Nearly 3,000 sq. ft.  of space will provide three classrooms and teachers offices providing the flexibility to separate students by grades and other needed separation. Healthcare will be improved with a larger examining room and office space of 1,020 sq. ft. for medical personnel to provide services and maintain records and supplies.

In addition to larger recreational and visitation areas, an assessment center totaling 3,930 sq. ft. will serve as a resource hub for youth and their families in crisis and connect or reconnect to services. This will allow improved collaboration with other partners in the juvenile justice system, the Department of Social Service, Alliance, Durham Public Schools, Project Build, District 14 court services, and Juvenile Crime Prevention Council programs. The new Youth Home will be able to deliver evidenced-based assessments to assist children and families in need of intervention and or preventative services in the community.

This project represents an important investment in ongoing services to Durham County youth. Annually, nearly 39 percent of the County's overall operating budget is devoted to youth focused initiatives, programs and services including Durham Public Schools, Durham Pre-K, City-County Office on Youth, Durham Library, Public Health and more.

The complete agenda for the Durham Board of Commissioners December 13th meeting will be available here.<https://www.dconc.gov/county-departments/departments-a-e/board-of-commissioners/commissioner-meetings-and-announcements/bocc-agendas-video-library>

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