County officials outline group-home revenues, eligibility limits and possible diversion agreement with probation

County staff and program leadership explained the finances and operating constraints of two county group homes during the budget committee meeting.

Officials said group-home revenues are billed to the Indiana Division of Child Services (DCS) on a monthly basis and that the county’s revenue split sends 75% of billing to the general fund and 25% to a non-reverting fund restricted by ordinance to training, supplies, maintenance and a small house-manager stipend. One example invoice cited by staff was about $163,253 for a single month’s bill in May.

Program leadership described medical, behavioral and facility constraints that determine whether DCS placements can be accepted — for example, residents with complex medical needs, some seizure conditions or certain levels of violent behavior are excluded because the homes lack on-site medical services or a restraint program. The director stressed the homes are "non-touch" facilities, relying on de-escalation and police backup when necessary.

Officials also proposed a diversion arrangement with juvenile probation that would allow law enforcement to send certain nonviolent arrestees (runaways or minor offenses) directly to the group homes instead of juvenile detention. The director said that agreement would help reduce juvenile detention and could align the county for juvenile-detention alternative initiative (JDAI) benefits, but it requires approval by probation and the judiciary.

Why it matters: The group's revenue model partially offsets county general-fund costs and sustains two homes for boys and girls that program leadership described as operationally necessary for flexibility in emergencies and therapeutic placement.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue discussions with probation and the courts about diversion mechanics; no formal agreement was adopted during the meeting.