SANDRA MILBURN
Reno County
RENO COUNTY — Reno County Youth Services received a two-year grant award of $326,281.06 through the Kansas Department of Corrections for a new program serving juvenile offenders in the community.
This new program is called Project YES, Youth Empowerment Services, and will provide individual plans of support and rehabilitation services for juvenile offenders ages 10-17 in Reno County who are referred by Juvenile Intake & Assessment. This program bridges the gap between juvenile intake and court action. Project YES will address risk factors related to juvenile offender behavior including but not limited to education/employment, personality/behavior, and attitudes. In addition, the program will review and address interpersonal interactions among family members and recommend appropriate resources.
This program is under the direction of David Patterson of Project YES, Inc. and he can be reached at [email protected]. The Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board and Board of County Commission will provide local oversight of the program. The current grant award is for July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025. Project YES is a program for youth and families who want or need additional support to make positive changes.
“We have youth advocacy workers to help fill in the gaps,” said Patterson. “Project YES will create an IPS or Individual Plan of Success with the youth and create a list of goals. The youth are also given help if they have an addiction, support in getting a driver’s license, shown how to increase their job interviewing skills and assistance in preparing to obtain a job.”
Jessica Susee, Supervisor of Juvenile Intake & Assessment, can be reached at [email protected] or (620) 694-2552.
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