On March 26, 2024, Brenda Grealish, CCJBH Executive Officer, Emily Mantsch, CCJBH Associate Governmental Programs Analyst, and CCJBH Councilmember Dr. Danitza Pantoja, toured the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex (IGJJCC), a secured detention and youth treatment facility serving Merced County. CCJBH became aware of Merced County’s model program at their September 2023 Juvenile Justice Workgroup, which discussed the implementation of Senate Bill 823 and featured presentations from Merced and Shasta County on their programs. Following the workgroup presentation, CCJBH staff made arrangements to see the facility in person and learn more about the programs.
IGJJCC has adopted an integrated treatment model to reintegrate justice system-involved youth into their families and communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to live successful, crime-free lives. During the tour, we learned about the exceptional programs offered at IGJJCC, notably the Rise to Higher Grounds Café,
which provides youth with employable skills training and leadership development. Youth who participate in this program are enrolled in the Merced County Regional Occupational Program’s Culinary Essentials program and receive their food handler’s certification card prior to working at the mobile coffee cart, which prepares them for employment in their local labor market upon transition to the community. Additionally, the youth operate a Community Garden,
where they are given the autonomy to select the produce that is grown each season and learn valuable lessons in agriculture. In addition to these programs, GEO Reentry Services has operated the Merced County Youth Program since November 2022, providing evidence-based reentry programming for the juveniles that addresses the challenges young participants face and promote growth and successful reintegration into the community.
Through our tour of IGJJCC, it was evident that the staff are fully committed to working together with each other, youth, and their families to provide the youth with the opportunities they need to transition into the community. We truly thank Chief Christopher Henn, Deputy Chief Ben Rodriguez, and Division Manager Jennifer Medeiros for educating us on the programs offered at IGJJCC and providing a comprehensive tour of the facility.