10 01 26 Committee of the Whole Meeting

Berrien County, Michigan Committee of the Whole meeting, October 2, 2026: Juvenile court staff presented a new Family Violence Intervention Program for court-involved youth ages 12–17 who commit domestic battery against a parent, guardian, or caregiver. The program uses assessments and safety planning to route lower-risk cases to the Common Ground intervention and moderate- to higher-risk cases to the 21-week StepUp group program, with possible formal probation and additional services. Staff described coordination with law enforcement, prosecutors, schools, and community providers, and offered to return with an update and outcome data. The program had just received its first case; no program budget or contract award was discussed.

Requisition review was postponed for action at the 10:30 meeting, and no requisition decisions or other procurement activity were identified in the transcript. A motion was made to approve the September 17 minutes, but the transcript does not record a vote or result before the meeting paused.