Press Release
November 15, 2023
CHEROKEE COUNTY, GEORGIA – THE BLUE RIDGE JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ANNOUNCES PERMANENT PROCESS SERVER PROGRAM.
A process server is a trained professional who serves legal documents to defendants named in a court proceeding. Service of process is often the first contact many individuals will have with the court system. In order to achieve the goals of orderly and efficient service of process, the Judges of the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit are pleased to announce the launch of the Permanent Process Server Program. Applications will be accepted through December 15, 2023, for annual appointment to begin January 1, 2024. For more information, visit the Court Administrator’s website.
November 21, 2023
CHEROKEE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT RECEIVES OVER $740,000 IN COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDS
CANTON, GA - The Office of Justice Programs(OJP), through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention(OJJDP), awarded the Cherokee County Juvenile Court $741,504 in two competitive grants to fund a new Family Treatment Court and enhancements for the Juvenile Treatment Court.
Through the $363,847 three year award from the OJJDP’s Family Treatment Court Program, the Cherokee County Juvenile Court will establish a Family Treatment Court (FTC) to improve the lives of families with dependency allegations arising from parental substance abuse. The Cherokee County FTC will provide trauma-informed, evidence-based substance abuse treatment and parenting services. Using the eight key components of FTC as a guide, the multidisciplinary team will expedite the screening process, efficiently connect parents and caregivers with treatment services, coordinate visitation and parenting programs, and monitor abstinence through random drug screens and field visits, while tracking progress in a central data management system. Expected outcomes include a reduction in misuse of substances, a decrease in the length of time children spend in foster care placement, and permanent reunification. Areas served include Acworth, Woodstock, Canton, Ball Ground, Waleska, Nelson, and Holly Springs. The overall premise of the Cherokee County Juvenile Court’s mission is to protect the long-term safety of the local community and ensure a brighter future for its citizens.
Through the $377,657 two year award from the Juvenile Drug Court Treatment Court enhancement grant, the Cherokee County Juvenile Court will enhance the services offered to youth ages 14–17 with nonviolent drug charges through the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court program. The purpose is to enhance monitoring of behavioral health services, ensure disparities do not exist for candidates, and serve court-involved youth who are not moderate to high risk. Project activities include identifying low- to moderate-risk youth, completing risk/need assessments, and placing youth into the appropriate level of treatment, and offering services to the Spanish-speaking community. Expected outcomes include reduced recidivism and accessibility of programs to underserved populations.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice, assist victims and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.
