Governor touts fund use

WASILLA -- The Mat-Su Youth Court faces a $35,000 difference in the amount budgeted for the program and the amount available so far for fiscal year 2005.

"It doesn't look good for us, it's disappointing that we can't keep the same level of funding as before," said program coordinator Lisa Albert-Konecki.

An amendment that would provide statewide funding for youth courts throughout Alaska failed in the Senate in April, and Albert-Konecki said that without funding from the Legislature, Mat-Su Youth Court will have to look elsewhere to fill the gap.

"We're looking to provide the same level of services as last year. The [Mat-Su] Borough gave us $28,000 last year … I am asking for $45,000 this year," said Albert-Konecki, who will speak at the May 6 borough assembly meeting.

Albert-Konecki said youth court will also try to find other forms of funding by stepping up fundraising efforts. If the $35,000 isn't made up, youth court will most likely lose a half-time position and the minor consuming diversion panel, which serves first-time offenders charged with minor consuming alcohol.

'It is doubtful that they class would continue," Albert-Konecki said. "We've had to make little cutbacks before to make the program work, but this year we'll have to cut a position entirely."

In April, 25 new students were sworn into youth court in Mat-Su. Even with tremendous youth growth in the program, the staff has not grown with the student population.

"We have not grown staff-wise in eight years," Albert-Konecki said.

Albert-Konecki praised the local government and groups for their continued support of the program, and said she hopes the Legislature will vote to fund youth courts before this legislative session ends.

"We hope that the state will be committed to funding youth court statewide," she said.

Contact Jen Ransom at jen.ransom@frontiersman.com.