Establishment of Juvenile Justice Administration Center
2017 NACo Achievement Award Winner
Cape Girardeau County, Mo., MO
Best In Category
About the Program
Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)
Year: 2017
Problem or Challenge: In 1966, the 32nd Judicial District Juvenile Center was located at a former family residence, Cape Girardeau. After attempts to obtain grants, additional taxation, etc. the County was able to budget funds to purchase a house located at 325 Merriwether as a temporary solution in 1974. In 1990, there was an immediate need for additional office space for the staff (outside of the Detention Center). The County provided space for several Juvenile employees in the upper floor of the Common Pleas Annex, located two blocks away. This created a burden on staff with files and resources split between two buildings. In 2013 the County revisited this issue and began looking at building a new facility and options of re-purposing properties in the Cape Girardeau area. A facility survey estimated that the Juvenile Department would need approximately 10,000sqf for adequate administrative and program space. An available building was in Cape Girardeau that met the suggested 10,000sqf recommendation. The building also included 2 acres of property which would support future expansion, outdoor program space, and storage. This building provides adequate space for the entire staff to be located under one roof. Previously the Juvenile employees and Court Personnel were in two buildings which was not efficient for work processes required for the Juvenile Court. Files, resource materials, and program areas will now be in one location to better serve the community. This location also allows space for the establishment of a dedicated courtroom for the Thirty-second Circuit Court Juvenile Court. Previously, Juvenile Court was held in the 165-year-old Common Pleas Courthouse. The Commons Pleas lacks a safe waiting area, no space for an attorney/client conferences, no elevator, and insufficient restrooms. This site has a waiting room for 70 persons, family friendly restrooms, children’s area, and meeting space.