Creating Community Care for Youth in Kansas City

The City of Kansas City seeks to identify promising and evidence-based prevention and intervention services that will guide the development of a detailed implementation plan for establishing a community-based continuum of care for youth at risk of becoming or are already involved in the juvenile justice system. The project will convene a Planning Council comprised of at least twelve (12) members that are representative of the diverse population of Kansas City as well as the organizational stakeholders currently involved in the juvenile justice system and/or in serving Kansas City youth. This project will be the first targeted effort to bring individuals, organizations, and community members together in a structured planning process culminating with an implementation-ready plan that is focused on providing youth with a continuum of services and supports to promote positive life outcomes and avoid justice system involvement as juveniles and into adulthood. Activities will be led by a full-time Project Director under the supervision of the Aim4Peace Program Manager and include, but not be limited to: convening a planning council on a monthly basis, asset mapping, gap analysis, identification of key data points for tracking and monitoring progress, and identification of cost savings through reforms as well as reinvestment strategies. These activities will culminate with the expected outcome of development and delivery of a comprehensive community plan for accessing, delivering, and sustaining a community-based continuum of care. The target population for the proposed continuum of care will include juveniles who reside in Kansas City, specifically those between the ages of 10 and 17 years that live within the Jackson County portion of Kansas City.