We are determined to work so that children do not languish in foster care, so that child support actions are timely and accurate, and so that children who commit crimes are brought to justice and engaged in rehabilitation. The Court Services section must develop strategies to improve case-flow management. For example, caseload data should be made more accurate and reliable, a centralized docketing system should be developed, and standard time frames should be implemented for transferring juveniles out of holding facilities and into secure residential placement facilities that actually provide treatment services. Franklin and Lucas counties operate such programs, which reduce attorney costs. It will though help us to better administer the comprehensive reforms to be instituted in the near future.
Technology is underutilized due to apparent under staffing in key technology positions.
The court should develop a technology department and implement a strategic technology plan. This could allow the court to realize greater operating efficiencies. The Food Services of Detention Services section reveals a 21 percent higher cost per meal at the court as compared to peers, while serving 38 percent fewer meals per staff member. Petro has conducted more than 50 performance audits of Ohio state and local government, recommending hundreds of millions of dollars in savings.