The CJAB sub-committees will continue their focused work on accomplishing these CJAB priorities in the coming years. As indicated previously, many of the priorities have already developed into significant projects and accomplishments for the CJAB and its members. Since the original 2008 CJAB needs assessment, numerous other issues in the criminal justice system have come to the forefront. In addition to the original three priority areas of concern mentioned above, the following additional issues were identified as future concerns of the CJAB:
Domestic violence issues – Survivors Inc. will continue to serve as a liaison to CJAB.
Local drug and alcohol services and assessments – ongoing, with an emphasis on determining the level of need and available services in the community. This would include issues revolving around the “Medicine Take Back” initiative.
The Heroin Awareness Task Force- created in 2016 by the CJAB; will focus on increasing education and awareness for heroin and opioid addictions, as well as the prescription drug epidemic.
Coordination of human services and mental health – ongoing. Coordination of resources remains a significant issue.
Community education – a new area of concern is the difficulty that persons with criminal records have in entering the workforce. Outreach to county employers is needed to encourage them to consider applicants with criminal records when appropriate.
Virtual Warrants – continuing work on the implementation of a virtual warrant system within the County.
Court of Common Pleas Assessment and Transformation Project – recommendations from the initial project have been implemented, and work on subsequent phases is ongoing.
Children's Roundtable – participation will continue with the Adams County CYS Children's Roundtable.
Trauma Taskforce – participation will continue with the Adams County Trauma Taskforce
Enhancement of cross-training efforts within the law enforcement community including active shooter preparedness.
Succession Planning – developing plans for succession of leadership within the sub-committees and the main CIAB.
The following action plans were established during breakout sessions at the 2017 CJAB Strategic Planning retreat:
Needed: identify chair, recruit members, and assign responsibility for maintaining committee communications/email list, set meeting schedule through Dec 2017 and for the upcoming years.
Goal 1: Video Conferencing. Achieve county-wide use of video conferencing among law Action steps
Action steps
Identify agencies that have not adopted video conferencing.