Judge Teodosio Lauds Organization's Effort

Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio commended organizations in the community for finding ways to continue programming for at-risk children that had been threatened by lack of funding.

“The saddest day of my professional life was the day I had to send termination letters to these organizations informing them Juvenile Court would have to pull back funds,” said Judge Teodosio. “One of my happiest days is when I learned that the programs would continue at nearly full strength.”

Juvenile Court had to notify the East Akron Community House (EACH), Oriana House, Safe Landing and the YMCA’s Phoenix School programs that it was necessary to discontinue financial support from its Youth Services Fund due to cost overruns.

During the first half of fiscal year 2003 (June to December 2002), Juvenile Court depleted its allotted Reclaim Ohio grant money. When Judge Teodosio began her administration of Juvenile Court in January 2003, it was discovered that the Reclaim Ohio shortfall totaled $360,000. Coupled with cuts in state funding, the court faced a debt exceeding $500,000. That is when the termination letters were mailed.

Through belt-tightening of their own, the affected organizations have been able to keep the programs operating.

“I think this demonstrates the commitment these organizations have to helping the children in our community who need the special services these programs provide,” stated Judge Teodosio.

EACH Executive Director Cazzell Smith, Jr. indicated that the 9-year old program run by his organization has yielded outstanding success, noting that 80 percent of the children in the program do not return to the juvenile justice system, therefore it was imperative that it continue.

“We have had to draw on our reserves to keep the program running, but it is a sacrifice we are willing to make given the success we have seen,” Smith said. “What happened at Juvenile Court was unfortunate but I understand why that decision was made. We are confident that things will work out in the near future.”

Judge Teodosio concurred, stating, “We are hoping that this is just a temporary setback and I look forward to resuming support for these excellent programs when the new fiscal year budget is completed.”