Lorain County Domestic Relations Court The Court Lorain County Justice Center 225 Court Street 2nd and 4th Floor Elyria, Ohio 44035 Off Site Locations Juvenile Facilities Complex: Pathways, 1076 Infirmary Road Stepping Stone, 1064 Infirmary Road Turning Point, 1080 Infirmary Road Multi-Purpose/Administration, 1070 Infirmary Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035 Boys and Girls Detention Home , 9967 S. Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035 http://loraincounty.com/domesticrelations/
Boys and Girls Detention Home, 9967 S. Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, OH 44035
http://loraincounty.com/domesticrelations/
JUDGES
Judge Debra Boros
Judge Frank Janik
Judge Lisa Swenski
Mission Statement
The primary goal of the Juvenile Court is to reform and deter delinquent behavior.
Unlike the adult system, punishment is not the focus.
Serve the citizens of Lorain County in a fair and timely fashion
Provide “best practice” solutions and programming to families.
How can the public
access court services?
Unofficial Complaints -These “pink” sheets can be submitted by parents/legal
guardians or members of the community (School Officials, LCCS, Probation Officers).
- Reviewed by the Intake Department for consideration of a STATUS offense.
- If complaint includes element of a crime, it will be forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office for review.
- However, the Prosecutor’s Office is reluctant to file a delinquency charge solely based on a citizen complaint. Police should be called for community incidents (ex.: neighbors disputes and foster parent concerns)
Police/Law Enforcement
The majority of complaints in Juvenile Court result from police reports. Police can refer a
juvenile to the Court by certifying their reports to either:
- Lorain County Juvenile Court for “Status”
offenses (Violations of Probation, Violations of Parole, Tobacco Violations, Curfew, Unruly/
Ungovernable) OR
- Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office for Delinquency offenses.
School to Court Referrals School officials can officially refer the child after 5
unexcused absences. Attendance Officers will investigate, monitor the
attendance and provide interventions to address issues that interfere with attendance.
Conferences are held by the Attendance Officers with the child, parent, principal and/or the superintendant (through a step-by-step process)
Officers will prepare the case for prosecution after 15 unexcused absences.
Prosecution of parent and/or child will be determined by the Lorain County Prosecutor.
The Attendance Officers may utilize Pro-Se Mediation through the Court’s Mediation Program. If the child is over the age of 10, mediation is between the parent and child. If under the age of 10, the Attendance Officer develops a case plan for the parent.
Families may also be referred for In-Home Behavioral Therapy (IHBT) through a local provider
Contact Information
Court Attendance Officers
Dale Bruder (440) 326-4875 (Lorain County JVS, North Ridgeville, Wellington,
Firelands) Jesse Ball (440) 326-4877 (Midview, Sheffield/Sheffield Lake, Keystone,
Juveniles placed on General Community Control are assigned a community control officer (CCO). The officer monitors
the juvenile's compliance of court orders and case plan through contact with the juvenile, school officials, parents and
other people significant in the juvenile's life.
The juvenile and family will be responsible to complete case plan components and follow all rules of community control.
The Officer is responsible to make reports to the Court regarding the youth's progression. Rewards and sanctions are
administered through continual oversight of the juvenile's progress.
In addition to supervising the youth placed on probation, CCO's assist families in accessing community services,
provide security for the Court operations, and assist in collecting information for the Investigation and Referral Team.
Monitored Time
While on Monitored Time, the youth will not get direct services from a CCO, but will be required to report to the
Community Control department on a predetermined basis. Two Inside CCOs are responsible for this caseload. They
will make follow up phone contacts with the youth, parents, and others and report to the Court the progression of the
youth. These CCOs also track continued cases and do initial interviews of youths and families referred for additional
Court services.
Additional responsibilities of the CCO include tracking continued cases, notifying all parties of hearings, providing
security services for the Court, participating in meetings with outside agencies, and assisting families in accessing
community services. General Community Control Officers would also provide supervision for those adults placed on
supervision for Contributing to the Unruliness or Delinquency of a Minor.
Community Control Sex Offender Program
Juveniles adjudicated delinquent for a sexual offense are referred for a sex offender risk assessment. The assessment
determines appropriate recommendations, with options including community treatment, out-of-home placement, or
commitment to the Ohio Department of Youth Services. For juveniles who remain in the community, the Community
Control Officer (CCO) will design safety plans to provide adequate supervision of the offender and protection for the
victim and the community.
Offenders participate in individual and/or group therapy with local agency treatment providers. The CCO maintain
frequent contact with the treatment providers to share information, observations, and interventions. Programming lasts
between 18 and 24 months.
Based on age and type of offense the Court may classify an offender as a Sexually Oriented Offender Registrant
(JSORN).
Community Intervention Program
The Community Intervention Program (CIP) provides intensive supervision and services to juveniles placed into the
program by a Judge or Magistrate as a disposition when adjudicated delinquent for a criminal offense. Juveniles in the
program are supervised daily through electronic monitoring, in home meetings, and random site visits at school and
work places.
Juveniles placed in the program have a prescribed case plan based on identified needs and problems. The program
participant is expected to participate in groups for anger management, character development, and employment skills.
Youth ordered into CIP are required to participate in community service and recreational activities to assist in building
appropriate social skills. When indicated, program participants will be referred to community providers for mental health
and substance abuse issues.
Community Control Mentally Ill - Developmentally Disabled Caseload
Juveniles who are lower functioning and/or have a significant mental health diagnosis are placed on this specialized
caseload. These juveniles usually already have an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), psychiatric and psychological
treatment services, and/or in-home counseling in place prior to Court involvement. They will often need additional
assessments, hospitalizations, and other intensive services due to their delinquent actions.
The Community Control Officer (CCO) provides close supervision and facilitates communication between community
service providers, the family, and the Court. This facilitation is vital in identifying and overcoming barriers, recognizing
progress, and resolving problems of the child and family.
Bellefaire / JOP
The Juvenile Offender Project (JOP) is a collaborative effort between the Court, Integrated Services Partnership of
Lorain County, the Board of Mental Health, and Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau. This partnership provides an
extensive assessment and psychological evaluation for juveniles currently involved with the Court, primarily for
offenses of violence that have exhibited significant mental health issues. Bellefaire's evaluation is comprised of multiple
testing tools, an assessment of the family, and charts and reports from previous service providers and school systems.
Community Resources are recommended and services put in place to assist the juvenile and family. Bellefaire also
provides a JOP / residential bed when the need for inpatient treatment is indicated.
A Court employee is designated to monitor and assist in the components of the case plans. The Court staff monitors
and documents all contacts with the juvenile and family, attends staff meetings, makes home visits, participates in JOP
/4-C Cluster reviews, and provides transportation services. The MI / MRDD Community Control Officer works closely
with the JOP participants.
Additional Programming Success For Youth
Success for Youth was funded through Reclaim Ohio, to provide skill development for lower functioning, delinquent
youth. Programming offers an opportunity to learn social skills, computer training, and job skills to assist juveniles in
obtaining employment and eventual independence. Success for Youth focuses on males and females from Elyria and
Lorain, aged 15 - 17, who are experiencing difficulties due to their low level of intellectual functioning.
Catholic Charities collaborates with the Court to provide case management, social skills development, assistance with
career development, computer skills and realistic job skills training that is designed to meet educational and
employment needs, as well as personal development.
Yes Program
The Youth Education Shoplifting Program (YES Program) is an educational, rehabilitative program offered to juveniles
referred to Court for first time petty theft/shoplifting offenses. Participants are ordered into the program from both
official and unofficial cases heard by the Diversion Specialist.
Eduvention/Substance Abuse Education Program
The Court's Eduvention Program is designed to provide drug and alcohol education and information to juveniles, and
parents, referred to the Court for misdemeanor alcohol or drug offenses. Juveniles and their parent/guardian can
attend the four sessions of the program in lieu of a delinquency charge being filed. Eligible participants are typically, but
not exclusively, first time offenders.
A community provider, at no cost to the participants, presents Eduvention off-site from Court operations. A screening
instrument is administered to participants to determine the need for further assistance or treatment.
Contact Information
Chief Probation Officer Patricia Wilson (440) 326-4888
General Community Control/Sex Offender Unit Edward Moore – (440) 329-5247 (Casework Supervisor) Jerome Fisher - (440) 329-5702 - Lorain High, Clearview, General Johnnie Wilson, Vermilion Marci Murphy -(440)329-5702 – Avon, A. Lake, Columbia, Firelands, Keystone, Midv., N. Ridgeville, Well. Ex.)
Adam Kappa– (440) 329-5543 – Elyria, Oberlin Sex Offenses: Jeff Keiper – (440) 326-4891
Monitored Time Probation Nancie Murello – (440) 329-5245 (Supervisor) Erica Szilagyi – 326-4885 Tim Workman – 329-5194
Diversion Program Milly Gonzalez – (440) 329-5305 (Diversion Program Specialist)
Contact Information
Specialized Services Jennifer Kerns – (440) 328-2213 (Supervisor) Success For Youth: George Harris – (440) 326-4884 MH/MI/JOP: Steve Medvetz – (440) 326-4890 and Jim Rufo – (440) 329-5248
Status Probation/Diversion Nancie Murello – (440) 329-5245 (Casework Supervisor) Andrea Delp – (440) 326-4006
Community Intervention Program Tom Adelsberg, Prog. Mgr. – (440) 326-4876 Maria Davis, Clerk – (440) 326-4870 Courtney Burns, CCO – (440) 326-4887 Micah Gibbs, Assistant – (440) 326-4894 Alex Heier, CCO – (440) 326-4847 Dominique Wilson, Assistant – (440) 326-4839
Specialized Dockets
Juvenile Drug Court -Rewards based program for
juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent and have significant drug and alcohol issues.
-Weekly Court sessions to discuss
progress and monitor school progress, drug/alcohol treatment needs, parental concerns and all other case plan components.
-Parents of the youth in the program
are held accountable for their own substance issues and encourage to attend treatment of their own, if deemed necessary.
-Successful completion results in a
graduation ceremony and dismissal of charges (via an agreement with the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office).
Family Drug Court -Family Drug Court assists clients of
Lorain County Children Services (LCCS) who are drug/alcohol dependent and their children have either been adjudicated abused, neglected or dependent, or the clients are involved with LCCS on unofficial/In-Home cases.
-Participation in Family Drug Court
is voluntary, but expected once accepted in program.
-Weekly court hearings as well as
participation in any services deemed appropriate by the Drug Court Team.
-The ultimate goals are for
participants to retain or regain custody of their children, working towards completion of the case plan components, and maintaining sobriety.
Mental Health Court -A voluntary program that targets
youth with serious mental health concerns.
-Weekly Court sessions to discuss
and monitor school progress, treatment needs, medication protocols, parental concerns and all other individual case plan components.
-Focuses on improving the youth’s
behavioral and emotional functioning and strengthens the family’s ability to care for the child within the home, reducing the risk for out of home placement.
-Successful completion results in a
graduation ceremony and dismissal of charges (via an agreement with the Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office).
Residential Services
Juvenile Facilities Complex
Multi-Purpose Building (offices, meeting rooms)
Turning Point Shelter
Pathways Group Home for Girls &
Stepping Stone Residential Center for Boys
Residential Services
Pathways Group Home (for Girls) & Stepping Stone Residential Center (for Boys)
• Staff secure for youth ages 13-17
• Licensed and monitored by the Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Services
• 10 Females & 20 males are allotted in the Residential Phase of the program (21 weeks).
• Transitioned back into the home through short-incremental visits, leading to an Aftercare phase
(where youth is monitored on a regular basis when returned home).
• Case plans address risk, needs, familial concerns, substance abuse, vocational skills and education.
Turning Point Shelter
• A non-secure residential facility providing short-term care (maximum 14 days) for 5 males and 5
females ages 12-17.
• 24-hour supervision and guidance by trained child-care staff
• A social worker provides support services to the juveniles and their families via program referrals.
The goal is to assist the family in preventing further official court involvement.
• Admissions to the shelter are approved by the Intake Department or via judicial orders.
Contact Information In-Home Detention John Matakovich, Prog. Mgr. – (440) 326-4017 Seth Riley, Asst. – (440) 326-4016
Juvenile Drug Court Michelle Grove, Program Supervisor – (440) 326-4074 Dawn Lucey, CCO – (440) 326-4072 Bryan Wootten, Assistant – (440) 326-4072
Family Drug Court Jennifer Kerns, Program Coordinator – (440) 328-2213 Martina Sheridan, LCCS Liaison/CQI Supervisor– (440) 329-5340
Mental Health Court Jim Rufo, CCO – (440) 326-4890 Jennifer Kerns, Program Coordinator – (440) 328-2213 Anna Cacchione, I&R Program Manager - (440) 329-5656 Jessica Ryan, Director of Lorain Programs for Beech Brook – (440) 324-4980
Residential Facilities Michelle Grove, Program Supervisor – (440) 326-4074 Matt Koch, CCO – (440) 326-4075 Amanda Snider, CCO – (440) 326-4073
Department of Support Services
This department provides services and support to the community and court staff.
The department is comprised of the following:
» The Pay-Back Program » Community Service Program » Voices for Children » Assignment commissioners » Juvenile clerks » Systems management
Payback Program
The Pay-Back Program has 4 objectives: Ensure the offender’s compliance with Court orders Provide a work experience that allows the offender to make restitution
(allowable up to $500) Provide victims with access to the Court for reasonable redress Facilitate communication between the Court and all involved parties: i.e.
victims, prosecutors, insurance companies, etc.
Restitution collected: Monies collected in 2013 : $17,463.54 Work for Pay monies collected : $5767.52 (a total of 825.5 hours worked)
Community Service Program
The Program manager is creative in finding and developing sites for juveniles to fulfill their community service obligation.
Works closely with Probation, the Judicial staff, parents and the general public in monitoring and tracking completion of court ordered community service.
In 2013, 308 youth were ordered to complete community service. 248 of those successfully completed the program.
Voices for Children
Voices for Children’s purpose is to provide a guardian ad litem (GAL) to the Court to advocate on behalf of the abused, neglected, and dependent children coming before it.
The GAL volunteer undertakes an investigation into the circumstances and family life of the child. They review records, interview parents, relatives and foster parents, talk to teachers, neighbors and most importantly, the child.
Upon completion of the investigation, the GAL appears in
court, provides the information and makes a recommendation to the Court as to what course of action is in the best interest of the child.
Contact Information
PayBack Program (Restitution) Lisa Taliano, Program Manager: (440) 329-5237 or (440) 329-5451
Community Service Program Lisa Taliano, Program Manager: (440) 329-5237
Voices For Children Timothy Green, Program Manager: (440) 329-5556 Ed Wacker: (440) 329-5158 Traci Stamco: (440) 329-5197
