Barton is one of only seven Kansas counties to be selected for a pilot program that supports young people at risk of involvement with the juvenile-justice system or are already involved.
The program is called the Stepping Up for Youth Initiative. Marissa Woodmansee, Juvenile Services director, applied for this opportunity, in part, because of the success of the local Stepping Up program that was designed for adults.
“The adult project that started in 2018 gives us a framework that we can apply to young people,” Woodmansee said. “At Juvenile Services, we deal with so many issues that affect our youth, including foster-care children, blended families, criminal charges and parents who need resources for at-risk kids.
“In many cases, there is overlap with a number of concerns and we want to step up our efforts to prevent problems. We are also here to guide young people who are in the system because of criminal activity.”
Woodmansee noted that one example of success in Stepping Up for adults is the local Jail Program. It offers behavioral-health services to people while they are incarcerated, with follow-up after release.
“This program advocates for people by offering quick access to treatment, medication when necessary and information about other community resources,” she explained. “The Center for Counseling & Consultation, law enforcement officials and other partners are instrumental in the Jail Program’s success.”
The new pilot program launched on March 26, with an official kick-off set for May 13, when specialized training will be offered at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St.
“We are really looking forward to learning from professionals who are coming here from all over Kansas,” Woodmansee said. “During this all-day training event we will discover more details about this pilot program.”
Agencies involved in this effort are the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Stepping Up Technical Assistance Center; they will co-host the May event.
Additionally, the Kansas Department for Children and Families and the Kansas Department of Corrections are involved. The Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center approved Woodmansee’s application to participate in the pilot program.
“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 other counties selected are Shawnee, Franklin, Johnson, Bourbon, Sedgwick and Seward.
Local support
Kelsey Sciacca, Park Elementary principal in Great Bend, is one of several local leaders who supported the application to join the pilot program.
“We are eager to collaborate with Juvenile Services and other entities to help students and families,” Sciacca said. “The Stepping Up pilot program will provide information on ways to alleviate behavioral problems, and prevent the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco.
“This new resource can help us educate parents and lead us in the right direction. A goal is to help youngsters make good choices and follow good paths. Early intervention can help us attain that goal.”
Sciacca also noted she is especially grateful to Woodmansee for getting everything going for Stepping Up for Youth in our county.”
Other local supporters include: Diana Watson of the Barton County Administrator’s Office; Donna Zimmerman, Barton County commissioner; Shionta Gray, chief operating officer at The Center for Counseling & Consultation; Tracie Haselhorst, clinical director at The Center; Rachel Thexton, Great Bend High School counselor; and Steve Haulmark, Great Bend police chief.
The Department for Children and Families also offered support.
“I cannot thank these community leaders enough for backing us up on our application,” Woodmansee commented. “It is so gratifying to know we can count on our neighbors to do what they can to help young people and their families.”
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.
