Former participant and advocates urge more investment in community alternatives to detention

Speakers at the meeting described community-based alternatives that they said help deter youth from incarceration and called on the county to fund those programs.

Rashawn of Upper Darby described his personal experience: "Day 1, day 2 became a research that provided me with endless support, care, and guidance... I am living proof of what can happen when a young person is given support, opportunity, and someone willing to believe in them." He and other commenters urged investment in relationship-based interventions, education, and restorative justice rather than expanding placement capacity.

Andre Sims and others said county-funded studies and training grants have not been turned into local investments and alleged that research money remains unused; they argued that redirecting funds to proven community programs would better serve youth and families.

What’s next: Board members thanked speakers and said they would include community voices in upcoming planning sessions.