HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 01-17-23; 8-g - Resolution Supporting Compression Increases for Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Detention and Youth Development Center Staff 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: January 17, 2023
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-g
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Compression Increases for Division of Juvenile Justice
and Delinquency Prevention Detention and Youth Development Center Staff
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Draft Resolution Commissioner Amy Fowler, (919) 245-
2130
Bonnie Hammersley, (919) 245-2130
PURPOSE: To consider a draft Resolution Supporting Compression Increases for Division of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Detention and Youth Development Center Staff.
BACKGROUND: Based on a request from Commissioner Amy Fowler, the attached resolution
proposes that Orange County express support for compression increases for State Division of
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Detention and Youth Development Center staff. The
Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) provides short term secure
confinement in Juvenile Detention Centers and long term commitment services in the State's
Youth Development Centers.
Over one-quarter (26%) of JJDP positions are vacant (416 of 1,576), primarily in the areas of
community supervision and case management and direct supervision of juveniles in confinement.
More than half (225 or 54%) of the 416 vacancies are DJJDP facilities' positions. More than one-
third (157 or 38%) of the vacancies are in juvenile court services, which provides community
supervision and case management services.
While similar salary adjustments or increases were approved for Department of Public Safety staff
in adult facilities, compression salary increases for Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention facility staff were removed from the State budget prior to final approval.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There are no Orange County Social Justice Goals applicable to
consideration of the attached resolution.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with consideration of the attached resolution.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve the attached resolution
and authorize the Chair to sign the resolution.
2
RES-2023-005 DRAFT
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING COMPRESSION INCREASES FOR
DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION
DETENTION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER STAFF
WHEREAS, the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention provides short
term secure confinement in Juvenile Detention Centers and long term commitment
services in the State's Youth Development Centers; and
WHEREAS, the overarching mission of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention and the local Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is to provide services and
programming to ensure the protection of the community and rehabilitation of youth
offenders; and
WHEREAS, Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention facilities are
contending with an average 36% vacancy rate, with the Wake Juvenile Detention Center
currently at a 40% vacancy rate, largely due to impact of the pandemic which has driven
salaries and wages higher across the board; and
WHEREAS, compression salary Increases for Division of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention facility staff were removed from the state's budget prior to final
approval; and
WHEREAS, similar salary adjustments or increases were approved for Department of
Public Safety staff in adult facilities;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Orange County Board of Commissioners
supports the adequate and timely increase of the salaries of juvenile facility staff in Wake
County and across the State of North Carolina to make those positions competitive and
to ensure qualified staff are compensated adequately for years of experience for the
purposes of retention, as well as lay the groundwork for recruitment of qualified staff for
youth facilities which will ensure the immediate and ongoing protection of the community
and strengthen rehabilitative services for those juveniles most in need.
Adopted this 17th day of January, 2023.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
Laura Jensen
Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners