JUVENILE COURT TO OPEN FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio and County Executive James B. McCarthy will preside over the opening of the Court’s Family Resource Center (FRC). An open house will be held on Tuesday, October 24^th from 2pm until 4pm on the second floor of the William P. Kannel Juvenile Court Center, 650 Dan Street on Akron’s North Hill. The event will also celebrate the expansion of the Court’s Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program.

The Family Resource Center and the GAL expansion are funded by two federal grants through the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services totaling $950,000. The FRC is designed to offer youth and family strengthening programming including assessment, service coordination, monitoring and follow-up to populations that are currently underserved. The following populations will be targeted:

• Teen girls who are pregnant or have children will be offered guidance and access to the many programs that address pre-natal and post-partum care. Teen fathers will also be able to access services and information regarding his rights and responsibilities.
   

• Truants in danger of dropping out of school will have access to school-to-work programs or educational options and linked to other appropriate support services offered by various county providers that best suit their needs.
   

• The needs of youth facing re-entry into the community following a lengthy commitment in a Department of Youth Services or other residential facility will also be addressed. The FRC will guide the whole family through this difficult transition by working with our community partners to provide education, support and follow-up services.
   

• Youth and their families involved in domestic violence disputes will work with FRC program specialists to ensure that underlying issues are addressed through a variety of court and community-based interventions.

The expansion of the Guardian ad Litem Program will provide child advocacy services for several hundred additional abused and neglected children. Child advocates provide essential information to the Court so decisions can be made that are in the best interest of the child. 

“I am very excited at the potential the Family Resource Center and Guardian ad Litem Program have to help young people and their families address the challenges they face,” said Judge Teodosio. “It’s another way the Court can extend its reach into the community.”