Plymouth County Community Court

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office (PCDAO) seeks to establish the Plymouth County Community Court (PCCC) through a Bureau of Justice Assistance FY24 Community Courts Initiative grant. The PCDAO is requesting funding under Category 1: Planning and Implementation to utilize during the 4-year grant period. The goal of the PCCC is to provide a more meaningful avenue of justice to address homelessness in the city of Brockton, by establishing alternative sanctions that can be individually tailored for each court participant; facilitating seamless connections for court participants with relevant community services and resources; and ensuring equitable access to the program for all eligible individuals. The PCCC will conform to the principles of community justice for all programmatic aspects, as explained further in the proposal narrative: enhanced information, community engagement, collaboration, individualized justice, accountability, and outcomes.

The PCCC expects to serve 60 participants in FY24, increasing each subsequent year with the goal of serving approximately 550 participants over the life of the grant. The court will operate as pre-adjudication, with the average length of program participation anticipated to be approximately six months. The PCDAO will subaward funding to the Old Colony YMCA to hire a Case Manager, who will be responsible for case management and service coordination for court participants. The PCDAO will hire a PCCC Coordinator to oversee the day-to-day management of court operations and partnerships, which will include establishment of an Advisory Board and mapping of community resources.

The PCDAO seeks priority consideration under Priority 1A and Priority 3. In response to Priority 1A, the PCCC will intentionally prioritize practices, approaches, and partnerships that promote racial equity and the removal of barriers in all aspects of court programming. In response to Priority 3, the PCDAO will partner with a researcher from Bridgewater State University to provide ongoing evaluation and assessment of the PCCC, who will be able to provide evidence-based recommendations to encourage continuous improvement of the program.