Children’s Justice Center reports new state funding, increased caseload and tele-forensic interviews

Andrea, representing the Children’s Justice Center (CJC), updated the Grand County Commission on May 5 about the new center’s operations, recent funding wins and service innovations.

Andrea said the CJC’s grand opening drew strong community turnout and that much of the facility’s furnishing and audiovisual equipment were funded by the nonprofit Friends of the CJC and a state RFA grant. She said the center asked the legislature for a one-time $470,000 stopgap after the center was initially left out of the governor’s budget; the request was funded and the center also received ongoing state funding that will reduce the county’s future obligation.

On services, Andrea reported that in the prior six months the center had 71 new or active cases, had provided services to 136 people and had 208 open/active cases. She described cost-saving steps including using volunteers and leveraging a tele-forensic interview arrangement with a Salt Lake City forensic interviewer to reduce per-case interpreter costs (Andrea said a court-certified Spanish-speaking interpreter can cost about $1,500 per forensic interview). The CJC also described multidisciplinary team (MDT) coordination and statewide advocacy work that helped secure funding and statutory changes affecting victims.

Why it matters: The funding and operational changes affect the center’s capacity to provide forensic interviews, victim support and MDT coordination in this rural county. Commissioners thanked the CJC for its work and for seeking partnerships to reduce costs while maintaining services.

Next steps: The CJC will continue statewide advocacy and local outreach, and the commission noted the center’s plan to host community events (including an autumn public speaker) and a September fundraising kickball tournament to support programming.