Written by Written By Jay Phillips September 9, 2022
DeKalb County Board of Commissioners approved legislation sponsored by District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and District 4 Commissioner Steve Bradshaw that will provide funding to 100 Black Men of DeKalb, Southern Christian Leadership Conference W.O.M.E.N, Inc., and DeKalb County Accountability Courts.
Based on the legislation approved, Davis Johnson allocated $50,000 to 100 Black Men of DeKalb and $25,000 to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference W.O.M.E.N, Inc. Bradshaw allocated $60,000 of District 4 reserve funds for DeKalb County Accountability Courts, including drug court, DeKalb County Felony Mental Health Court, DeKalb County Veterans Treatment Court, and DUI Accountability courts.
According to a news release, the funding from Davis Johnson will help the designated organizations “provide job training, educational assistance, computers, access to internet, and other technology assistance in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic not only impacted the quality of life for many residents, but also widened the gap in access to technology,” said Davis Johnson. “This funding will also help to increase job readiness and provide training for residents who have lost their employment as a result of the pandemic.”
County officials said the funding came via the American Rescue Plan Act, which was passed by Congress on March 10, 2021, and signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021.
Additional information on how residents can apply for assistance and training will be announced by Davis Johnson’s office “in the coming weeks,” according to county officials.
“This generous allocation is a tremendous help to our community to ensure our children get the educational support and assistance they need beyond the classroom and helps to ensure they have access to information at their fingertips,” said Andre Deas, president of 100 Black Men of DeKalb. “We are excited to work with Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson to create more opportunity for DeKalb’s youth.”
County officials said Bradshaw’s funding will be used for supporting treatment, mental health, and parent and veteran court programs, services, and resources through the courts’ accountability programs.
DeKalb County officials said the county’s state and superior courts offer “intensive, cognitive behavior, evidence-based treatment programs to those offenders who have disproportionately impacted DeKalb County.”
These programs are alternative sentencing programs affording offenders an alternative to serving time in jail.
This is the second round of funding that Bradshaw has provided to DeKalb’s accountability courts.
“We thank Commissioner Bradshaw for his leadership on this very important issue,” said Superior Court Judge Gregory Adams. “These funds will assist the court as it provides treatment and rehabilitation services to those in need. As a judge for the past 27 years, it is important to have the support of the legislative branch of government as we serve the citizens of DeKalb County and the State of Georgia. Commissioner Bradshaw’s action is tangible evidence of that support.”
Source: The Champion Newspaper
