BUCYRUS – On Monday, Oct. 5th Judge Murphy, Common Pleas Court Judge, Juvenile Division called for and hosted a meeting where all the county school superintendents, Mid-Ohio Educational Center Administration, Pioneer CTC Administration, various other educational entities, and local law enforcement were invited to discuss and brainstorm how to better serve Crawford County’s youth and their parents with various issues such as life skills, truancy, child welfare, etc.
The various educational administrators voiced concern of past court-ordered presence in efforts to deter juvenile delinquencies, which provoked a constructive conversation. Issues discussed included the lack of basic life skills, such as financing, budgeting, truancy, child welfare, etc. Judge Murphy also mentioned the lack of physically activity within our youth’s lives. Murphy stated, “There is too much screen time, video gaming, and not enough physical activity, which is crucial for a child’s health and wellbeing.” Murphy advised of a new court initiative where he would like to implement a physical activity component, he is going to court order as a term of probation.
Judge Murphy acknowledged the issue of truancy and the delay of getting truant children back in school. He offered to have his staff/Diversion officers work with the school’s Diversion programs to shorten this process. Judge Murphy also offered to have his probation department serve the parents and children personally with the truancy complaints filed by the schools to expedite this issue and well. Murphy said, “Children need to be in school.”
The meeting ended with an initiative where a focus group made up of various invitees will be formed and regular meeting will be held in efforts to keep the lines of communication open and grow these objectives. A goal of this group will be to work through the steps of reporting juvenile criminal behaviors and following through with the appropriate actions, whether it be court-ordered life skills class, physical activities, educational pathways, etc…
Judge Murphy is determined to provide various avenues for our juveniles and parents of to reach a level of success, whether it be relating to basic life skills, child welfare hurdles, physical health or educational barriers.
Judge Murphy advised he will have an “open door” policy and wrapped up the meeting with stating, “Don’t give up! We can fix these issues together.”