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Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 Page 39 facility, Applebee could see a repeat of many of the challenges he encountered in Maine. Funding will become a big issue, for example. "Resources are not endless," Applebee said. Even though the City Commission and County Commission each have pledged $500,000 to the project, it is likely more will be needed, especially for continuing operations. A transformational center for the homeless should provide a "continuum of care," Applebee pointed out. The ultimate goal, he said, is moving people to affordable housing and jobs. But for the time being, Applebee is urging patience until Marbut releases his report on Nov. 25. "We need to let him do his work, uninterrupted," Applebee said. "Let him deliver his report, and then we should be asking all the questions that we have to ask as a community. Then let's work together to solve this issue as best as we can." A man holds a sign, asking motorists for help, as he stands alongside Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota. Photo by Norman Schimmel In his current position as human services policy coordinator for the county, Applebee works on such issues as behavioral health, child welfare, aging, homeless prevention and poverty as well as criminal justice systems matters. His resume says his role is to "conduct policy analysis leading to identification of deficiencies in the human services 'ON THE PULSE' system and develop, coordinate and impleTwo years after the Two Bridges Regional Jail ment improvements." opened, Applebee moved to Sarasota, joining Sarasota County government as the criminal Throughout his tenure in Sarasota County, Applebee has worked closely with judges, justice policy coordinator. law enforcement officials and county In that role, acting also as the county's crim- commissioners. inal justice planner, he has tried to identify ways to keep inmates from re-entering the jail "He has his finger on the pulse of what is going system — from family reunification efforts to on in the community," said Curt Preisser, pubinmate mentoring and a work crew program. lic information officer for Sarasota County. His goal has been to "divert folks from filling "Marbut has said we need to have someone up the jails when they can appropriately be who is going to wake up in the morning and managed in society." be focused on homelessness," Preisser added. Applebee also ensured the county won federal County officials concluded Applebee was the dollars for local criminal justice programs. man for the job. %