A rather interesting debate occurred at the work session of the County Commissioners on June 18th when Commissioner Tony Mussare questioned Ed Robbins, Director of Juvenile Probation, rather intensely over the cost of sending at-risk youth to the George Junior Republic complex at Grove City, PA. Commissioner Mussare was gagging over the price tag of $51,200 a month for seven young people. This averages out to about $240 a day, or $10 an hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now, it is true that with funds provided by the state and federal government, Lycoming County’s cost is reduced to only about 17-18% of that total. But the question is still hotly debated — is it worth it?

Let’s start with what is meant by the term “at risk” youth. Technically this term means “a child who is less likely to transition successfully to adulthood.” It is curious how we have softened language over time, because not so long ago, these same youngsters were called “delinquent” or even “incorrigible.” The definition of those words means “usually a young person who regularly performs illegal or immoral acts and is incapable of being corrected or amended.” At risk, indeed!

When the “at risk” young person comes before Family Court, Judge Joy McCoy goes to great lengths to find the most amicable solution that will change the behavior of the offending youth. At the regular Commissioner’s Meeting on June 20th, when the George Junior Republic expenditure was being considered, Judge McCoy herself spoke on the issue, noting that there are stages that these youth go through, beginning with detention for a first-crime or violating probation. By the time George Junior is being considered, all other options have been exhausted. Yet even then, Judge McCoy noted she often disagrees with Junior Probation and seeks to give the young person a “second chance” before being ordered to the Grove City facility, which may be a day or a week. She admitted that her success in that regard has been abysmally low, as they will continue to violate probation.

What happens at George Junior? Why has this facility been so successful in reforming troubled young people? Most detention facilities monitor the youth around the clock, and as they meet the standards of the program, they are released. Unfortunately, the freedom the young person enjoys after a 24/7 surveillance situation often pulls them back into the damaging behavior.

This is why George Junior is so different. For starters, they have had over 100 years of experience, and offer a broad continuum of programs that engage the youth at every level; mental, physical, and emotional while teaching him or her responsibility, citizenship, and the skills that will help them grow into productive members of society. The program is also designed for step-downs at each phase of the young person’s progress through the program. Thus, when they are released, they have learned how to be independently responsible.

The success rate is through the roof, but better explained through a local woman who had served as a guardian for her troubled grandson and recently wrote Commissioner Mussare. This young man had serious anger issues that were controlling his life, and his continual offenses eventually led to his stay at George Junior. According to this lady, the institution changed his life. She saw progress at each visit. Upon completing the program, he was a completely different person. He graduated two weeks ago from an area high school with a 90% grade average.

Expensive — no doubt about it. But the question that needs to be asked, what would it cost the county for these “at risk” youths to continue on into adulthood with uncontrolled destructive behavior? In that respect, it seems like George Junior Republic might just be a bargain.