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CCA Board Meeting
February 13, 2024
Statutory members: Judge Reginald Routson; Precia Stuby, ADAMHS Board; Randall Galbraith, Hancock County Job &
Family Services; John Bindas, CEO, Family Resource Center; Victoria Graham, Ohio Guidestone; Candace Griffith, City of
Findlay; Ryan Kidwell, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office; Kyle Russell, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office; Jesse Sterrett,
Hancock County Sheriff’s Office; Kimberly Switzer, CPO/Director of Court Services, Judge Jonathan Starn, Carla Benjamin,
Welcome to a New Life; Paul Maekask, Public Defender; Timothy Bechtol, Hancock County Commissioner; William
Bateson, Hancock County Commissioner; Ret. Judge Joseph Niemeyer; Kathryn Bausman, City Mission; Judge Kristen
Johnson, Juvenile/Probate Court; J. Steve Welton, Treasurer; Judge Mark Miller; Jennifer Stohr, Alvis Inc.
Guests: Asst. Chief Probation Officer, Patrick Brzozka; Fiscal Manager, Julie Smith; Probation Officer, Chad McClain;
Probation Officer, Brandy Tiell; Office Manager, Melanie Fox; Hancock County Adult Probation Officers: Victoria
Edwards, Joshua Jones, Brittney Baird & Ashley Huck; Hancock Public Health, Cheryl Miller; Family Resource Center,
Cristina Christensen; Justin Hendren, Findlay Police Department; BriAnn Kotecko, OT student, Charity Rauschenberg,
Hancock County Auditor.
Call to Order, Introductions and Approval of Minutes:
Judge Routson called the meeting to order at 5:02 pm.
Judge Routson requested minutes from the September 26th, 2023 meeting be approved. Precia Stuby motioned to adopt
minutes, J. Steve Welton seconded.
Community Corrections Act Updates:
•Web Site: www.co.hancock.oh.us/government-services/common-pleas-court
CORRECTION ACT AND OTHER PROBATION GRANT UPDATES
Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC) Funding Subsidies – Kimberly Switzer
Purpose: Purpose is to establish, plan, implement, and operate correctional services within the county.
O.R.C. Section 5419.34
Hancock County Adult Probation New Staff Introductions – Kimberly Switzer
 Introduced Victoria Edwards, Joshua Jones, Brittney Baird and Ashley Huck to the board.
New Board Resolution: Membership and Guests; Handouts reviews
 If you have any updates to the resolution please let Kim Switzer or Julie Smith know as soon as possible.
Case Flowchart – Handout reviewed
FY 22-23 End of Year Financial Reports – Handout reviewed
FY 24-25 Grant Awards: Commencing July 1, 2023
New Grant Changes – Kimberly Switzer:
 Financial Pie Chart – Handout reviewed
 Community Corrections 2.0 (CCA 2.0)

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o Annual Audit scheduled for 5/15 – 5/16; combined audit standards with inception of CCA 2.0 creating
lots of work for the Probation department.
 Hancock County Adult Probation Organizational Chart – Handout reviewed
o Probation added an additional bond officer to assist with conducting earlier referrals to treatment and
assist getting defendants to their court dates.
Common Pleas Probation Department Issues:
 Pretrial/Bond Program – Increased average length in program for FY23 was 212 days. Additionally there has
been an increase in case filings.
o These items required the addition of one staff person to assist with pretrial caseloads.
 Defendants’ access to treatment has still been limited.
 Unemployment is a large issue for defendants that are able to work but are not.
 New Judicial Building
o 1st Floor Adult Probation
o 2nd Floor Domestic Relations Court
 Intakes have increased, terminations have decreased, and Probation Officers are still conducting Surveillance,
drug testing creating lots of work for the department.
o Cheryl Miller inquired if recidivism was down, Kim Switzer responded it depends on how recidivism is
defined however we are above the state average. Director Switzer shared that Drug Court recently
conducted another recidivism study and those results will be shared at the next meeting. Brandy Tiell
added that a lot of Hancock County’s probation mirrors most counties Drug Court programs. Precia
Stuby added that agencies should be able to provide electronic billing reports for completed
appointments to help with recidivism research.
Hancock County Common Pleas Drug Court – Brandy Tiell, Drug Court Coordinator
 Recidivism study was conducted compiling information from 2015 to 2023, will distribute results at next Board
Meeting.
 Drug Courts are required to be certified by the Supreme Court of Ohio at inception and then every 3 years after.
This year both dockets applications have been sent for re-certification. Judge Starn’s site visit has been
completed and was re-certified for another three years. Judge Routson’s site visit has been scheduled for March
12, 2024.
 Program Activity Handout reviewed.
Board/Attendee Updates:
Cheryl Miller, Hancock Public Health
 Immigration Task Force is addressing the many needs of immigrants including housing, healthcare, and
employment. If a person has any questions please direct them to Hancock Public Health and they will assess the
needs and who can assist. Immigrants are not covered under Ohio Medicaid unless they have very specific
needs.
 Second Chance Event – April 25th, 2024
o 3rd annual event in collaboration with Common Pleas, Municipal and Juvenile courts among other
agencies to provide options for second chances for those in need. Cheryl Miller added that multiple
judges have been asked to speak at this event.
 Findlay Municipal Safe Surrender Day – April 18th, 2024
 Certificate of Qualification of Employment (CQE) – Raise the Bar of Hancock County has received grant monies to
help people who have committed felonies for misdemeanors get better employment by removing certain

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barriers. Dollars from this grant could be used to pay for Sealing and Expungement of records if the person
qualifies for those. For those who do not qualify to have their records sealed, CQE could assist with obtaining
better employment.
Cristina Christensen, Family Resource Center (FRC)
 Currently have a vacant counselor position at FRC, also looking for additional interns to assist. Looking at
criminal justice training needed for staff.
 Statistics - Turnover rates: FY23 Qtr. 1: 29%, FY24 Qtr. 1: 21% (decrease); FY23, Qtr. 2: 13%, FY24, Qtr. 2: 15%;
working to implement different management styles depending on staff person, and individualized to staff needs.
Jail based team: FY24, Qtr. 2: served 117 individuals, 129 mental health requests and 50 crisis screens. Quick
Response Team (QRT): FY24 Qtr. 1 & 2: reported 37 overdoses, QRT was able to make contact with 28 of those
individuals and get 18 into treatment.
 Kim Switzer inquired if turnover could be due to not paying as well as other treatment agencies, John Bindas
responded FRC pays well. It is predominantly based on Medicaid billing rates. Medicaid had a 10-12% increase at
beginning of the calendar year. Added that FRC is working on management styles and creating an environment
staff want to work at.
Precia Stuby, ADAMHS Board
 Update from Jessica Bitner, Director of Findlay Treatment Services, methadone clinic, the facility will continue as
a medication only unit. However, will now be able to offer new inductions every other Friday at the Findlay
location. If a client is in need sooner than what is available at Findlay location, Findlay Treatment Services can
assist with transportation to other locations.
 There have been 7 confirmed overdose deaths for 2023, with 2 pending however that is lower than past years.
 ADAMHS Board has three Criminal Justice grants to fund (1) stabilization utilizing Steady Path, (2) LEAD grant in
partnership with Family Resource Center, and (3) an outreach team in collaboration with Focus.
 ADAMHS will be presenting at the National Overdose Fatality Review in Atlanta.
 Precia Stuby raised the question if an Employment Coalition was needed.
County Criminal Justice Business:
Juvenile Court Updates – Judge Johnson
 Guardianship Services Board has been formed and the Director’s job description has been posted. Collaboration
will be with ADAMHS, Board of Developmental Disabilities and Probate Court. The board’s function is to hire
executives to serve as guardians for individuals in need. In some cases families are not able to provide
guardianship due to circumstances and Probate Court often has to lean on attorneys to provide this service. The
creation of the Guardianship Services Board will give attorneys relief from always providing guardianship.
Findlay Municipal Court Updates – Candace Griffith
 E-filing has been implemented.
 Safe Surrender Day scheduled for April 18th, 2024
 The need for interpreters has increased in the court system, Municipal court is looking at scheduling hearings
that will need interpreters on the same day as to not slow the process of other hearings.
Sheriff’s Office Updates – Ryan Kidwell
 Judge Routson commended Captain Kidwell for all his work as Jail Administrator and wished him luck in
retirement. Lt. Jesse Sterrett will transition to Jail Administrator.
 X-Ray machines at security checkpoints in courthouses will be replaced soon, and a purchase of new machine for
Juvenile/Probate/Court building.

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 Staffing issues: Staffing levels are improving and Lt. Sterrett continues to recruit and interview.
 FRC team does an excellent job in the jail. Always some issues with openings at the state hospital. The CEO at
Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital (NOPH) has been good to work with, good with communication.
Jail Committee Update – Retired Judge Niemeyer
 Working on finalizing thoughts and recommendations for new jail. Meeting some scheduling barriers within the
committee members but the next meeting is 2/21/24. Looking forward to providing a final recommendation to
the Commissioners.
County Commissioner’s Update – Timothy Bechtol
 Thanked the Jail Study Committee for continuously working to provide detailed report for the Commissioners.
 Judicial building construction on schedule and under budget at this time.
 Courthouse elevator maintenance will be conducted 2/19/24.
 Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024 – Commissioner Bechtol encouraged the group to stay at home this day as there will
be a large influx of people to our area. This could cause lack of food and fuel due to people stocking up to leave
our area.
Public Defender Updates – Paul Maekask
 Public Defender’s Office is hosting Record Sealing Clinics in 2024.
o Dates will be: 3/21/24, 5/16/24, 7/18/24, 9/19/24, 11/21/24; times: 9 – 11 am & 1 – 3:30 pm.
o People can call the Public Defender’s Office to make an appointment or walk-ins will be accepted. Office
will help determine if person is eligible for record sealing. Kim Switzer asked if we may distribute the
flyer, Mr. Maekask stated yes. Judge Routson inquired if there was any assistance with the filing fee. The
CQE grant may have funds to help with that cost.
Welcome to a New Life (WNL) – Carla Benjamin
 Recently received $30,000 Re-Entry Coalition grant to assist persons released from prison with reintegration into
the community. Funds can help with driver’s license reinstatement, fees, fines, transportation, etc. Carla
Benjamin thanked Captain Ryan Kidwell and Randall Galbraith for their letters of support. Judge Routson
inquired about judicial release motions that come through Common Pleas Court and if the funds could assist
them as well, Carla responded yes WNL will be reaching out to those with pending prison releases. Patrick
Brzozka asked about Parole Authority and PRC release, Carla stated she has been in talks with the APA.
Legislative Updates – Judge Routson
 HB 196 – Judge stated the bill proposes to change the maximum length of time a defendant can be on
community control. The current bill has competing language.
Dates to Note:
4/18/24 – Findlay Municipal Court Safe Surrender Day
4/25/24 – Second Chance Event
Hancock County Public Defender’s Sealing Clinic Dates:
3/21/24, 5/16/24, 7/18/24, 9/19/24, 11/21/24
Hours: 9 – 11 am & 1 – 3:30 pm each day
Next Meeting Date: May 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm, Hancock County Courthouse, Courtroom #1
Meeting adjourned @ 6:13 pm