March 26, 2012. The Lakeland Ledger.
Sheriff Grady Judd got two standing rounds of applause Monday night from the faith-based PEACE organization in response to his pledges to help find more programs to divert misbehaving youths from the criminal justice system.
Specifically, he answered “yes” or “absolutely” to four questions put to him by Polk Ecumenical Action Council for Empowerment. He agreed to:
Work with PEACE to assess current diversion programs in Polk County.
Work with PEACE to research and identify the best diversion programs for youth nationwide.
Work with stakeholders like PEACE and the judicial system to develop diversion strategies to keep children from having juvenile records.
Ensure recommendations on doing that are ready Jan. 1.
PEACE, which has 15 congregations as members, is a countywide, multiracial group whose members identify problems, propose solutions and press public officials to support them.
More than 1,250 were at Winter Haven’s First Church of the Nazarene on for PEACE’s 12th annual Nehemiah Action to review progress on some issues and attack others.
There were positives to report:
Ninety-eight inpatient drug rehabilitation beds have gotten county approval at the Hope Now Transition Center, following up on a 2007 promise by a majority of county commissioners for 100 new inpatient rehab beds.
Polk County is working with Lakeland Regional Medical Center on a system for better coordination of primary care for the uninsured, a pilot program in Lakeland that could spread.
The Polk County School District is continuing to expand its Positive Behavior Support program to give students more help in achieving social and academic success.
Nine middle schools will get training in the second tier of the program in May.
They are Southwest, Lake Gibson, Stambaugh, Westwood, Bartow, Denison, Mulberry, Crystal Lake and Kathleen.
Ninety schools have the first phase.
“We believe we’re going to see great success for our students by implementing this program,” Superintendent Sherrie Nickell said.
Judd, in addition to making his pledges, wanted one from PEACE members:
Will their churches work with him on mentoring people who violate their probation?
And Judd, following the style of PEACE organizers, wouldn’t settle for anything less than a yes or no answer. Getting the former, he assured them “Together we will work to make Polk County even safer.”
