Harnett County plans major funding boost for youth programs

During a recent government meeting, the Harnett County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (JCPC) presented its 2024-25 county plan, which outlines the allocation of $320,045 received annually from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety for juvenile crime prevention initiatives. Chair Kimberly Whitted detailed the council's approach to addressing youth needs through various programs, including family skill building, vocational training, and conflict resolution.

This year, the council awarded significant funding to several local programs. The Harnett County Juvenile Restitution Community Service program received $130,477 to enhance its services, including a revamped teen court initiative. Additionally, the Harnett County Sheriff's Department was allocated $5,700 for tutoring services in the western part of the county, while the Dun Powell School Kids Empower and Career Readiness program received $118,898 to support younger and older youth, respectively. The remaining $5,000 was designated for JCPC administration to facilitate meetings and training.

Whitted emphasized the need for increased funding to accommodate the anticipated growth in the county's youth population, urging county commissioners to support efforts to petition the state for additional resources. The council aims to initiate its request for proposals (RFP) process early to ensure that funding requests align with community needs.

The meeting also included discussions on upcoming public hearings, indicating ongoing efforts to engage the community in local governance and development initiatives.