WARSAW — New and upcoming changes were announced at the Kosciusko County Community Corrections meeting held last night, Monday, April 17.

Patrick Olson was introduced as the new home detention officer. Olson previously worked with the Prosecution’s Office and was a natural fit for the Community Corrections program.

“We’re throwing a lot at him but he’s really catching on,” said Director Anna Bailey. “We are happy to have him on board.”

The next topic of discussion was hiring for a Forensic Diversion position. The Forensic Diversion is the newest program of community corrections, projected to start in July. It will be a 9 to 18 month program that targets moderate to high risk and high need offenders.

Currently, the program and a grant for funding is awaiting approval from the Department of Corrections. Decisions will be made May 1. The board discussed moving forward before the official decision was made regarding the grant money. The current project income for the Community Corrections program could handle the cost of the new program.

The board approved hiring for the Forensic Diversion position, pending approval from the DOC and contingent on approval by Kosciusko County.

In other news:

• The department has begun interviewing for the administrative assistant position.
• The board approved transferring $44,400 from accounts to cover professional contracts, monitoring fees. The necessary funds was available, just different accounts.
• The program has generated $150,926 of project income to date.
• The program has 63 active clients, 25 successfully completed clients and 10 clients removed for violations.
• The July 10 meeting has been cancelled and rescheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, June 19.