Changes to the funding structure for Indiana's juvenile services are leading the Allen County Commissioners to look at possible privatization of Youth Services Center's two group homes.

As part of last year's property tax law passed by the General Assembly, the costs for juvenile services are being shifted from the counties to the state.  But the Indiana Department of Child Services would not be required to pay costs of any services, programs or placements to facilities that are not eligible to receive federal reimbursement.

"For a public entity like Allen County government to be eligible for federal reimbursement, the total licensed capacity for its facilities cannot exceed 25 juveniles," said Christopher Dunn, the executive director of Youth Services Center.  "Here in Allen County, our shelter and the two group homes have a licensed capacity totaling 56."

The Board of Commissioners is considering a proposal to privatize the operations of the Yoder and Kryder Group Homes – each of which have a licensed capacity of 10 juveniles – and reduce the capacity of the YSC shelter from 36 to 25.  Work is underway to develop a request for proposals from the private sector.  The state has given counties a deadline of June 30 to become eligible for federal reimbursement.

"The good work and success of the Youth Services Center in Allen County needs to continue," said Commissioner Bill Brown.  "The Board of Commissioners pledges to do all it can to help troubled youth in our county get on the right track early in their lives."

Dunn said the changes imposed by the state will have an impact on the YSC operating budget and, in turn, its staffing levels – regardless of whether federal reimbursement eligibility is achieved.  But the exact impact will not be known until the amount the local agency would receive from the federal government has been determined.