The pilot program may be drawing to a close but local volunteers plan to continue their efforts to enhance the local Stepping Up for Youth Initiative.
This program supports young people at risk of involvement with the juvenile-justice system or who are already involved. Barton is one of only seven Kansas counties to be selected for the pilot project.
“We have laid the groundwork for year two, thanks to many local professionals who volunteered their time and talents during the pilot program and continue to do so,” said Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services (JS) executive director. “During our monthly meetings, it became obvious we have an abundance of prevention and early-intervention services right here at home.”
“So, one of the main tasks now is to focus on data collection. We want to be equipped with statistics when we talk to officials and legislators. This will demonstrate we use evidence-based principles.”
The statistics also offer guidance on refining policies, tracking progress and sustaining momentum, she added. A Google Form developed by the group is the platform for data collection.
Data is being collected with the help of schools, behavioral-health professionals, law enforcement, healthcare providers, agencies that offer developmental-disability services and others.
“This is an example of local collaboration at its finest,” Woodmansee commented.
Stepping Up’s guiding principles are: prevention and early-intervention; research-based outcomes; early and easy access to community-based services; and broadening the focus beyond law-enforcement intervention.
A long-term goal is to expand Stepping Up into the other counties in the 20th Judicial District – Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell. “We will learn more about this possibility at an upcoming conference,” Woodmansee noted.
Unique perspective
Woodmansee noted that Christian Rivas brings a unique perspective to Stepping Up for Youth. He is the instructor/coordinator of the Barton Community College Criminal Justice program and has previous law-enforcement experience with the Great Bend Police Department.
At the college, Rivas teaches 35 students in four classes, while coordinating the program. When he was a full-time police officer, he responded to calls involving young people, which included runaways, curfew violations, truancy and/or criminal charges. He also is a credentialed hostage negotiator.
One of his college courses is Juvenile Justice and Delinquency. “As part of this, I take students to the Juvenile Services offices to see first-hand what they do and the great services they offer,” Rivas commented.
Woodmansee noted that “while every committee member brings special talents to the table, Christian’s combination of education and law enforcement has been enlightening. He has helped streamline our mission in collaboration with other stakeholders.
“Christian also started the process of successfully becoming a charter organization, which helps with momentum.”
Rivas believes this written Stepping Up charter is important because “we wanted a mutual understanding among everyone involved. It helps us clarify what we want to accomplish.”
In his Stepping Up role, Rivas represents BCC, “which has been supportive of my collaboration with this effort. I want to advocate for youth involved in the justice system and find ways to improve this system.
“Stepping Up offers me a great opportunity to help guide young people, while enhancing their lives and reducing recidivism.”
Background
The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center approved Woodmansee’s application to participate in the pilot program.
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.
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.
