State to end funding for local halfway house

Area halfway house, rehab program criticized in study

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By Steve Bennish, Staff Writer Updated 12:12 AM Friday, March 12, 2010

DAYTON — The state will end funding to one local treatment program and could pull money from a second after a study concluded the centers have not helped keep people out of prison.

Once state funding to the Dayton-based Nova House runs out June 30, the contract will not be renewed, said Julie Walburn, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

The decision to end funding comes after a University of Cincinnati study, to be released March 18, concluded referrals to the jail diversion programs actually increased the likelihood lawbreakers would re-offend.

“It would be better to do nothing with these offenders than put them in a program that makes them worse,” Walburn said.

Nova House, a nonprofit halfway house, received ODRC funding of $153,259 this year for seven beds in the state program. Overall, it serves 150 clients and has a $3.4 million budget.

Nova House interim executive director Saundra Jenkins said she’s sorry to lose funds, but said she’s made changes to improve programs in the long run.

The study also puts funding for the MonDay Community Correctional Institution in jeopardy. But, as a community-based correctional facility built with state bonds, MonDay has a chance to turn its program around, the state said. It serves 200, mostly from Montgomery County, and has $5.3 million in state funds this year.

MonDay Executive Director Tim DePew said internal studies indicate a record of success, but he said he’s open to improving.

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