SerpApi.Org
Albany County is highlighting its investments in youth violence prevention programming.
MORE: Albany County awards $100,000 for youth violence prevention programs
In a ceremony Tuesday, County Executive Daniel McCoy announced that Albany County, in partnership with MVP Health Care, has invested $140,000 in after-school programming. It will give youth access to mentoring, STEM enrichment and career counseling.
That money will also fund a 20-week program that will take up to 100 kids to Lake Lawson County Park for outdoor experiences.
McCoy said funding these programs now will pay huge dividends in the years to come.
"It's hard to put a dollar amount on every investment we made. If we keep somebody at a juvenile justice out of our county jails, out of out of probation, what is that true dollar amount? I can make up one. I can say we saved $10 million. What's it cost to incarcerate somebody? To put them through probation, to put them in juvenile detention,” said McCoy. “The numbers are staggering. So to prevent this, every dollar we invest is actually a savings in the future."
A recent CDC study found that these types of coordinated prevention strategies reduced illegal behavior outside of school by nearly 50%, including an 18% drop in aggravated assaults committed by juveniles.
MORE: Albany city leaders unveil major violence prevention plan
