Boone County News Release


Press Archives Press Room

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312


Boone County Reintegration Court To Improve Services

April 22, 2009

Federal grant money could lead to more jobs, better substance abuse treatment

Twenty-five jobs will be created for individuals released from prison if the Boone County Reintegration Court receives the $476,284 in grant money they are requesting from the Edward Byrne Memorial Competitive Grant Program.

The grant, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, would allow the Court to work with Job Point in Columbia to train Reintegration Court participants in advanced carpentry and operating heavy highway equipment and place them in jobs.

"If we can help these individuals find productive employment they will be less likely to return to the jail where the county has to support them," says Kathy Lloyd, Circuit Court Administrator. "This job component program will help them contribute to the county."

On April 21, the Boone County Commission authorized the Court to apply for the Byrne grant. The grant will also provide money over a 24-month period for increased substance abuse treatment and extended funding for the Reintegration Court coordinator position held by Casey Forbis. The Reintegration Court is applying for the grant in category 7 which supports problem-solving courts. The Court is not required to provide matching funds for the grant.



###