Constitutional Rights Foundation of Orange County receives funds from the County of Orange, Calif., for its work with Orange County Juvenile Peer Court. We're in our second year of a three-year contract.
Our funding comes from a local collaborative funding grant. We also get $3,000 per year from United Way. We also charge a $30 fee per client which is pretty low as some areas charge as much as $50 to $75. We have applied for federal funding once, but didn't make the cut on that. There are some good grants out there, just have to keep looking at the state and federal ones that come through. Our board does a nice job of letting us know if they see an appropriate grant.
Some of our funding comes from court ordered restitution which is made payable to the Teen Court program. Our other funding sources are:
Line item budget for Lawrence County, City of Spearfish, City of Lead and City of Deadwood;
JAIBG grant monies;
Recently applied for a Drug-Free Communities Support Program grant from OJJDP;
Donations from local civic organizations;
We have received some money from memorials and we have one local individual that has listed teen court is his trust.
Also, we have a local restaurant that auctions off to the highest bidder the right to put your favorite recipe item on their menu. Whenever anyone purchases this item off the menu, 10% of the sale goes to Teen Court. This item is listed for one year or whatever time limit you would like to use.
In regards to funding for Teen Court/Youth Court programs.... The Teen Court Program in Bismarck - Mandan Area of North Dakota has a three year start-up grant from the NDDOT (1998-2001). The Leach Foundation (a private foundation), Children's Servicing Coordinating Committee Region VII, and local civic clubs have donated funds to help offset other costs that arise. As with any non-profit program, the eternal search for continued funding is always real and needs constant attention and awareness.
A good way to possibly get financial support locally would be to approach your local civic clubs (Lions, Optimists, Rotary, Elks, Etc.) They usually do have a large commitment to youth in communities.
My funding comes through a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) that pays for the salaries of one full time youth service assistant and one part time youth service assistant. This grant was already in place when I became the coordinator for Teen Court. You may want to contact Kelly Cheek at 915-676-6366, who is the in charge of this program, to obtain some information on this type of grant.
My city also assists in funding the Teen Court with funds to purchase office supplies, postage and printing needs.
Laurie Ocampo Teen Court Coordinator Socorro County, NM
100% of our funding comes from our county's DWI allotment from the State of New Mexico. We are in danger of losing these funds, however, come the 2001-2002 fiscal year.
Our funding sources for Teen Court in LaPorte County, Indiana established in 1988 are:
Local- Barker Welfare Foundation Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI)-division of DOC Drug Free Communities money from community drug & alcohol arrests (which is evaporating because the new Prosecuting Attorney does not want to charge these fees anymore
United Way-portion of agency's total allotment
Grants to Youth in Michigan City Community (GYMCCo)-$1000/yr to celebrate & recognize teens who volunteer to serve in TC & graduating seniors
Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (IFSSA)
User fees $15-25/defendant YAR (Youth As Resources)-max $500/yr for community service project.
We receive a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. Some of the funds have to be matched, so we also receive funding from the United Way of Knox County. Our sponsoring organization is The American Legion Auxiliary, where we receive additional monies (as well as assistance with projects and use of their building when we need it for fundraising, training, etc.) We also charge each defendant a processing fee of $25 and the sale of our video brings in $25 per videotape. We also received many private donations from local organizations and individuals.
