Butler County Court officials say the advantages of using a human services provider from Butler County far outweigh concerns about its ongoing financial problems.

President Judge Thomas Doerr said Robert Andolina's business, Child & Adolescent Clinical Associates in Cranberry Township, offers the most comprehensive treatment in the tri-state area.

Andolina's company is the only area provider offering face-to-face time with a clinical psychologist for every juvenile on probation, Doerr said.

Another major distinction in Butler's program is the coordination between Andolina and Dr. David Evanko.

Michael Noyes, county deputy court administrator, said Andolina's working relationship with Evanko enables the juveniles to have consistency in medical and psychological treatment. Under Butler's program, the court, the psychologist and the medical doctor aren't at odds as they might be in other counties, Noyes said.

Most importantly for Doerr and Noyes, juveniles undergoing the probation program aren't as likely to be re-arrested for a similar offense.

Doerr said there previously was a failure rate of between 70 percent and 80 percent for juveniles placed in facilities, whereas the failure rate of those in the current program is 20 percent.

Doerr pointed out the program he, Noyes and Andolina developed is now being copied by other counties. President Judge Chet Harhut of Lackawanna County altered his juvenile treatment program to mimic Butler's.

Harhut said since instituting changes a year ago, he's noticed that juveniles on probation are not committing new crimes.

"The results are much better," Harhut said.

As with Doerr, Harhut cites significant cost savings as well by keeping juveniles in their homes rather than placing them in facilities. The state only reimburses counties 50 percent of the expense for out-of-home placement, but 80 percent of the cost for intensive in-home counseling services.

Doerr, Noyes and Andolina also have spoken at seminars, such as the juvenile court conference in Orlando, Fla., in March.

Noyes said another distinction to Butler's program is the mandatory inclusion of parents in counseling. He said complex family issues, such as drug and alcohol use, abuse and neglect, are often the cause of juveniles' actions, so they have to be addressed.

"Some parents don't want to participate," Noyes said, explaining the need to require their involvement.

So why don't other counties hire Andolina? Logistics, according to Noyes. He said counties typically use providers located within their borders because of time and transportation factors.

Doerr refutes previous claims that his personal relationship with Andolina supercedes any professional concerns. He said he met the psychologist through a trial and didn't become friends with him until after working with him.

Noyes said his personal connection isn't a factor, either. Although his wife worked for Andolina as an intern from 2001-04 and then as a paid employee before leaving for another company this year, Joseph Mittleman, director of state judicial programs, decided there was no conflict of interest.

Although the Aug. 16, 2004, letter doesn't mention Noyes' wife, it does state there's no conflict because the Noyes does not award the contracts. That is done by the county commissioners.

Doerr feels so strongly about keeping the provider that he canceled a vacation last month to attend a meeting in which the county commissioners were scheduled to renew Andolina's contract.

Commissioner Jim Kennedy, who opposes the use of Andolina's company, felt so strongly about the situation that he voted against a list of contract renewals when commissioners Glenn Anderson and Scott Lowe wouldn't vote separately on Andolina's company.

Lowe and Anderson agreed with Doerr that the company should be retained because it has continued to provide uninterrupted service.

The board voted 2-1 to retain Andolina's company.