THE FORD COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE COUNCIL HISTORY

     The Ford County Juvenile Justice Council was formally organized on May 15, 2000 under the authority of the Illinois Juvenile Court Act of 1998.  The Council met together with representatives of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority on two occasions and discussed the purpose of Juvenile Justice Councils.  It was determined that the council would be a forum for developing a county juvenile plan that would build assets in youth and prevent juvenile delinquency.  The steps that were utilized to create this plan were the following:
 

• Working with the Authority, the council put together a profile of the county revealing the needs that must be addressed.
• The council identified needs and prioritized them.
• These prioritized needs were used to identify goals and objectives to address shortfalls in services in the county.
• After completing goals and objectives the council reviewed the profile, needs assessment, goals and objectives and created an overall mission and vision statement for the county.
• Following the writing of mission and vision statements, this plan was written including action steps for all agencies involved.
• Interagency agreements, to carry out the action steps in the plan, will be completed on a continuing basis.

     The Ford County Juvenile Justice Council met monthly at 6:00 p.m. until November 4, 2002 to accomplish these tasks.  At that time the council had identified goals and objectives, was working on the mission and vision statements, and looking toward having the entire plan written.  The January 2003 meeting was held during the day to be able to merge together with the Paxton-Buckley-Loda Prevention Coalition, and the Ford County Network Panel. These organizations were made up of many of the same members who also had interest in the Juvenile Justice Council.