Local Juvenile Services Contract Boosts Youth Support, Reports Success

UPDATE: Juvenile Services is already witnessing significant benefits from its new contract with local facilitator Charity Muth, just six months after implementation. Marissa Woodmansee, Executive Director of Juvenile Services, confirms that the collaboration is yielding positive behavioral changes among youth clients.

The partnership with Muth, who owns Stepping Stones to Recovery, focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) to engage at-risk young individuals effectively. “Charity builds a great rapport with kids,” Woodmansee stated. “The feedback thus far has been encouraging.”

Muth utilizes a curriculum from the Change Companies, providing clients with workbooks that help explore their thoughts and behaviors, crucial for effective therapy. “CBT is based on the premise that our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors are interconnected,” Muth explained. Her approach aims to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive coping mechanisms.

The impact of this contract is critical, especially as funding considerations loom. Woodmansee highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility amid potential funding cuts. “We are fortunate to have a local professional who specializes in this type of service,” she added. The contract is supported by the Juvenile Justice Evidence-Based Program grant from the Kansas Department of Corrections, ensuring varied program hours for clients.

Muth’s work is crucial for many young people, as some clients are on diversion for several months while others may face probation for over a year. When substance-use issues arise, Muth refers clients to appropriate mental health services. She emphasizes the importance of building trust, noting that “no youth will ever forget how they were treated and how they felt.”

Juvenile Services operates in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford, and Russell counties, empowering youth through a variety of programs, including Intensive Supervised Probation and Life Skills training. Parents and guardians can also benefit from resources like The Parent Project.

For immediate assistance, visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930. This urgent partnership is not just about therapy; it’s about changing lives, one young person at a time. Stay tuned for more updates on this impactful initiative.