Lackawanna County will consider partnering with three other similarly-sized counties to found a new 40-bed juvenile detention center in Bucks County. The Commissioners meet today in the County Government Center for a special meeting to discuss the proposal and a nearly 22-year intergovernmental cooperation agreement with Berks, Dauphin and Lehigh counties. The Partnership hopes to ease the county's struggle with lack of detention center beds and control rising costs.
Under the terms of the partnership, the four participating counties will share the nearly $10.5 million annual operating cost equally, with each county contributing 25 percent. In exchange, Lackawanna County will have a guaranteed allotment of 10 beds at the new center, with the flexibility to use additional beds if other partner counties have vacancies. The project aims to provide more stable and restorative environments for youth while significantly reducing the high costs associated with emergency out-of-county placements.
