The 25th Judicial Circuit Family Court contracted with Pathways Community Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., on Thursday to oversee court-ordered, supervised visitation and monitored child custody exchanges.

After a recommendation from the Juvenile Office, the Phelps County Commission approved the contract between the Family Court and Pathways.

Proposals were sent to various healthcare organizations and two other companies, in addition to Pathways, responded with bids: Peace of Mind Supervision Center in Waynesville and Breakthrough Counseling of Rolla.

The Family Court administers court-ordered supervised visitations, and with Pathways as the vendor for this year’s program, parents will have safe and monitored location for the visits, said Russell Shelden, chief juvenile officer.

Pathways already has offices in Pulaski and Phelps counties to accommodate the supervised visitations, but it will need to find a location in Texas County.

“This is just one of the many programs that help facilitate the Unified Family Court in providing services to the children in the 25th Judicial Circuit,” said Shelden.

The Unified Family Court is a pilot project began 1-1/2 years ago for the 25th Judicial Circuit, which is comprised of Phelps, Maries, Pulaski and Texas counties.  It is intended to serve as a model for other circuit courts throughout Missouri, stressing quick and satisfying resolutions for cases involving family law.

Funding for the Unified Family Court is paid by a grant awarded by the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA).

In other, unrelated county business, the Phelps County Commission also reviewed and, or, approved the following items:

• The Commission will continue to accept applications for the open position of Director of Phelps County Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) through Monday.
The Commission discussed the specifics of the job and what qualifications the county is looking for in potential candidates.

The salary range for the position is set at $23,000-to-$25,000 by a Senior Corps grant, depending upon the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Additionally, the job description involves considerable fundraising efforts involving night and weekend work.

• The Commission reviewed the apportionment of funds to the Phelps County School Districts that derived from fines, forfeitures and interest assigned by the court and which accrued from July, 2007, through June, 2008.

From a total of $417,976, the Rolla School District was apportioned the largest share at $257,222; St. James was apportioned $110,931; Newburg was apportioned $30,262; Dixon was apportioned $418; Phelps County was apportioned $19,143.

• The Commission approved two Floodplain Development Permits for Jerome residents Robert and Sharon Sooter and Lonnie and Margaret Lundy.  Both families reside on Private Drive 9002.

• County Road 8100 is now open at the Little Beaver Creek bridge.  The asphalting has been completed and the only construction work planned is the installation of a barbed-wire fence along a resident’s property line.

Although a ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for the opening of the bridge, a date was not scheduled.

• Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp appointed Judy Jepson, a former Rolla City Council member, to the Board of the Law Enforcement Restitution Fund.

Jepson replaces Sister Virginia Meyer, who resigned because she moved to St. Louis.

The Law Enforcement Restitution Fund Board decides how the court-ordered restitution fund will be spent.

The Board is a five-member appointed board.  Two appointees are selected by the presiding county commissioner; two appointees are selected by the sheriff; and one appointee is selected by the coroner.

The Law Enforcement Restitution Fund Board is presently composed of Danny Kemp, John Edgar, Steve Zap, Don Chaney and Jepson.

• Supervisor of Phelps County “Tough on Trash” Program Ben McWilliams apprised the commissioners that he had picked up eight, discarded tires on County Road 2370.