Programs

Graduated Sanctions
Graduated Sanctions Programs, are required to be implemented within every judicial district as part of the juvenile justice system. These  programs include Juvenile Intake and Assessment (JIAS) and Community Supervision.

Juvenile Intake and Assessment (JIAS)
JIAS provides intake evaluations for alleged juvenile offenders and children in need of care who are taken into custody by law enforcement agencies for either a criminal or status offense or a victim of abuse or neglect. JIAS operates on a twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week basis to assist law enforcement by allowing them to return to patrol while intake staff assesses the youth’s needs. The Juvenile Intake Officers utilize assessments tools that help determine the youths risk and needs.  JIAS makes recommendations to the family, county attorney and the court regarding what community based services may be appropriate for the youth and family.  They make recommendations to law enforcement and Judges regarding the appropriate use of placement in detention.  The assessments are also used by the Juvenile Intake officers to complete a report for the county attorney which includes disposition recommendations.

Community Supervision
Community Supervision includes Juvenile Intensive Supervision Probation (JISP) and Case Management (CM). JISP is an intensive community based program providing supervision and services to juvenile offenders that are considered moderate to high risk of reoffending. CM provides supervision and case management for juvenile offenders placed in the custody of the state of Kansas via the Kansas Department of Corrections. A Community Supervision Officer (CSO) is assigned to each youth placed on JISP or CM. The CSO assesses the youth’s risk and needs by conducting an evidence based practice assessment called the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (YLS/CMI). The CSO, with the input of  the offender, his family and others involved in his care and treatment, develop a supervision plan to address the risks and needs identified by the YLS/CMI. The CSO engages the youth and family, assists the youth and family to access community based services, monitors the youth’s adherence to court ordered probation conditions, and provides updates to the court concerning the youth’s supervision.

Prevention/Intervention Programs
A major initiative of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act is the development of prevention programs as a part of the continuum of juvenile justice services.

Truancy has been identified as an early warning sign of students heading towards potentially delinquent activity and is frequently an indicator of a more serious underlying problem. Cowley County has chosen to make truancy prevention a priority due to the reasons identified above, as well as others.

The Immediate Intervention Program is an alternative to court for juveniles arrested for the first time on a non-violent misdemeanor offense.

Truancy Prevention
This program serves approximately 600 youth each year, ages 3 to 17, who attend school in Cowley County.  The program provides two truancy officers to support the five school districts within Cowley County in their role of enforcing school attendance.  Referrals are made by the schools, law enforcement, parents, concerned citizens and other individuals. The program includes assessing needs of the youth and families, making referrals, completing case plans, and offering alternatives to court. When working with the youth involved in the program, the truancy officers focus on attendance, attachment to school, and achievement in addition to connecting families to resources and services. The Truancy Officers are empowered by a local Administrative Order to carry out actions relating to youth on attendance issues, serving as a representative of both the County Attorney and Social and Rehabilitation Services.  There is collaboration of efforts between Youth Services, school districts, law enforcement agencies and juvenile courts. Through these partnerships and utilization of numerous local resources, the truancy program has made progress in decreasing the number of truancy related child in need of care cases filed, thus reducing the number or youth being removed from their homes for school attendance issues.

Immediate Intervention Program
The Immediate Intervention Program (IIP) is an alternative to court for juveniles with no prior adjudications. IIP is similar to the Diversion Program (offered) for adults. As a result of Senate Bill 367, which was passed on July 1, 2017, the IIP is available for all first time misdemeanor offenders statewide. the juvenile is referred to the program by a juvenile intake officer following the completion of an intake and assessment process. There are 3 levels of IIP, juveniles are assigned to a level based on prior arrests and prior IIP completions. To be part of the program the juvenile and parents/guardians must sign a contract agreeing to cooperate with program rules and participate in services and programs referred by the IIP Officer. Depending on level of supervision and assessment results additional requirements may include the following: meet with an IIP officer, complete community service hours, comply with a curfew, comply with referral programs such as Interactive Journaling and the Parent Project, write an apology letter and pay restitution. The youth and parents/guardians must comply with the conditions specified in the IIP contract in order to complete the program successfully. Upon completion a discharge summary is completed by the IIP officer, which details success or failure of the program by the juvenile. It also includes any recommended follow-up services.

Parent Engagement Program
The purpose of this program is to involve the families in the juvenile justice process and reduce barriers to ensure the successful rehabilitation of youth in the system and sustain reintegration into the community. When youth are involved with the juvenile justice system, the involvement of families is critical to a successful outcome.