[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Mercer
County as Ch. 2.31 of the 2003 Mercer County Code (Ord. No. 87-4). Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Pursuant to P.L. 2020, c. 67, effective 1-1-2021, the Code
of Mercer County has been amended to delete the term “Board
of Chosen Freeholders” and replace it with the term “Board
of County Commissioners.” In addition, the terms “Freeholder”
and “Chosen Freeholder” have been deleted and replaced
by the term “County Commissioner.”]
There is created the Mercer County Youth Services Commission.
A.
The Youth Services Commission, through the coordinated efforts of
the public, governmental and private agencies and the courts, shall
plan for and monitor the implementation of services and programs to
meet the needs of children and their families in the County who are
under the jurisdiction of the Family Part or at risk of becoming involved
in the juvenile justice system.
B.
Public Law 1982, C.80[1] created a Family Court in New Jersey and mandated that
each County develop a plan for the provision of services to juveniles
and families under the court's jurisdiction. The Youth Services Commission
shall be the body responsible for making recommendations to meet the
mandate.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 2A:4A-76 et seq.
C.
A Joint Citizen Advisory/Family Court Planning Committee with voting
members appointed by the County Executive and the Assignment Judge
for Mercer County in 1982 was charged with making initial preparations
for the consolidation of the courts and implementation of the new
juvenile justice code. This group also oversaw preparation of the
1983 Family Court Comprehensive Plan.
D.
This chapter authorizes the continuance of County efforts to plan
prevention strategies and assistance to youth and families involved
or at risk of involvement with the Family Court.
The Commission's activities shall include, but not be limited
to:
A.
Annually prepare and submit to the County Executive for submission
to the Commissioner of Human Services, a need-based Comprehensive
Plan for the provision of community services and programs to meet
the needs of families under the jurisdiction of the Family Court,
which plan shall set priorities according to high-risk populations
and high-risk geographical areas within the County. As moneys are
available, the Commission in cooperation with the Human Services Advisory
Council shall make recommendations to the County Executive for the
programmatic expenditures of such funds;
B.
Encourage, coordinate and integrate existing services for troubled
youths and their families, noting gaps in service delivery;
C.
Develop and propose new and innovative programs to meet the needs
in service gap areas;
D.
Develop an ongoing mechanism that would determine the extent of juvenile
offenses and related family problems and determine geographic locations
where juveniles and their families are at greatest risk within the
County;
E.
Develop local Youth Service Commissions within the County;
F.
Inform the public of the nature and extent of the problem, availability
of services, and other related issues;
G.
Advise and assist the Family Court in its planning efforts;
H.
Participate with representatives of the State Department of Human
Services in monitoring the implementation of the Family Court Plan;
I.
Develop and maintain cooperative relations with and provide information
to the Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council, Local Advisory
Council on Alcoholism, Mercer County Mental Health Board, Mercer County
Commission on Abused, Neglected and Missing Children, etc., in order
to maintain coordinated planning for services and to advocate for
the needs of this high-risk population before these groups;
J.
Recommend for appointment by the County Executive a voting member
of the Youth Services Commission to serve a three-year term on the
Mercer County Human Services Advisory Council;
K.
To perform ongoing monitoring on all existing and new grants and
contracts under the auspices of the Youth Services Commission.
The Commission shall create no less than four standing committees
in the areas of planning, needs assessment, allocations and program
assessments. The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed
by the Chairperson(s) of the Commission from among the voting members
of the Commission. Committees shall report their recommendations to
the full Commission for approval.
[Amended by Ord. No. 88-36]
A.
The Mercer County Youth Services Commission shall have at least 30
and no more than 40 voting members who shall be appointed by the County
Executive with the advice and consent of the Board of County Commissioners:
(1)
Up to 30 members shall be appointed by their positions:
(a)
County Executive or designee;
(b)
Presiding Judge of the Family Part;
(c)
County Prosecutor;
(d)
Deputy Public Defender for the County;
(e)
District Office Manager from the Division of Youth and Family
Services;
(f)
County Mental Health Administrator;
(g)
County Superintendent of Schools;
(h)
Director of youth shelter;
(i)
Director of Juvenile Detention Center;
(j)
Director of Family Crisis Unit;
(k)
A representative of the County Chiefs of Police Association;
(l)
A Juvenile Police Officer;
(m)
A representative of the County Private Industry Council;
(n)
County Human Services Director;
(o)
Chief, Drug, Alcohol and Youth Services;
(p)
County Sheriff;
(q)
Family Part Case Manager;
(r)
Vicinage Chief Probation Officer;
(s)
Two juveniles who are at least 14 years of age;
(t)
A representative from each local youth services commission within
the County.
(2)
Ten additional voting members shall be recommend by the Chair
for appointment. These 10 members should include representatives from
local governments, private community-based organizations, and volunteer
and advocacy groups such as Child Placement Review Boards, Volunteers
in Probation, and groups dealing with issues such as domestic violence.
B.
C.
A voting member may designate, subject to approval by the County
Executive and the Board of County Commissioners, one official alternate
at the beginning of each calendar year to serve as their voting representative.
A voting member may send a nonvoting representative at any time.
D.
Additional, ex officio, nonvoting members shall be appointed and
shall include representatives from state departments such as Human
Services and Corrections and other departments or court offices that
impact on service to Family Court Clients.
A vacancy in the membership occurring other than through expiration
of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment
but for the unexpired term only.
The Commission will be co-chaired by the Presiding Judge Family
Part and the County Executive or his designee. The Commission shall
meet as soon as possible following the appointment of its members.
The Commission shall establish and adhere to its own bylaws and shall
establish procedures for the conduct of regular and special meetings
in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq.
A.
No action of the Mercer County Youth Services Commission shall be
binding upon the Mercer County Board of Commissioners or the County
Executive unless and until such action has been duly approved by the
Mercer County Board of Commissioners and the County Executive.
B.
No recommendation by the Mercer County Youth Services Commission
shall create a financial obligation on the part of the Mercer County
governing body unless and until that body has approved the creation
of a financial obligation in the manner provided by law.
The Commission shall report at least annually to the Mercer
County Board of Commissioners and the County Executive as to the progress
made by the Commission in pursuit of the goals established within
this chapter.
