One big topic at a recent Stepping Up for Youth conference was data collection – a topic that Marissa Woodmansee knows is essential for the success of local prevention and early-intervention programs.
As director of Juvenile Services (JS), Woodmansee noted that “data collection may not sound like the most exciting subject, but data tracking and reporting play a key role in determining whether goals are being met and if strategies need to be adjusted.”
When conference organizers called on Woodmansee to present data information, she talked with her colleagues at JS, as well as private therapists and representatives of school districts, law enforcement, The Center for Counseling & Consultation and St. Francis Ministries.
She asked about specific data they collect, databases, spreadsheets and other information.
“In a nutshell, it became obvious that these entities provide many opportunities for youth and families, with a variety of tools to assess risk and make recommendations,” Woodmansee said. “I was impressed with the jaw-dropping number of resources available in our local community.
“It is amazing how much effort is aimed at prevention and early intervention. We have many robust opportunities here and must find even more ways to connect directly with families.”
Many of these local behavioral-health services “give us the chance to navigate the challenges of an already vulnerable population.”
A little background
The Nov. 13 conference in Wichita concentrated on the status of the Stepping Up for Youth Pilot Program. Barton is one of seven Kansas counties that is involved.
Woodmansee and Ryan Lichter, JS assistant director, two representatives from The Center and a private therapist represented Barton County at the statewide gathering.
“It was great to meet in person so that we could better learn from other members of the pilot program and they could learn from us,” Woodmansee said. “Communication is always a big issue and face-to-face is the best. We don’t want email to be our only means of communication.”
The Council of State Governments Justice Center, which approved Woodmansee’s application for the pilot program, hosted the event.
Other agencies involved are the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services; Kansas Stepping Up Technical Assistance Center; Kansas Department for Children and Families; and Kansas Department of Corrections.
“Stepping Up for Youth was developed to help counties identify and address serious behavioral-health concerns,” Woodmansee noted. “There is a focus on diverting youth from detention, when appropriate, and connecting them to community-based services.”
The pilot program launched on March 26, with the official kick-off on May 13 at the Great Bend Events Center. The next steps include creating a template for data collection.
Other counties involved are Shawnee, Franklin, Johnson, Bourbon, Sedgwick and Seward.
20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.
