In 1988, the Department of Juvenile
Justice created eight local prevention councils to serve the
following counties:
- Daviess/Henderson
- Boone/Kenton/Campbell
- Fayette
- Hardin
- Jefferson
- McCracken
- Warren
Each of the
councils is responsible for developing a comprehensive local
juvenile justice plan and conducting an assessment of needs
and resources in the community. The plan is to be used to
increase community awareness and participation in juvenile
justice issues, to initiate local activities and programs to
reduce and prevent juvenile crime, and to facilitate in the
sharing of necessary information. Funding is available for
programs that address issues identified in the local plans.
Members are appointed by the Commissioner of the Department
of Juvenile Justice and must include representation from the
following groups: 1) local law enforcement agencies,
including the sheriff and local police chief; 2) local
school system, including administrators, teachers, school
counselors and parents; 3) Community Based Services; 4)
Court of Justice, including he district court judge, the
circuit court judge, the public defender, and the clerk of
the circuit court; 5) the Commonwealth Attorney; 6) the
County Attorney; 7) Juvenile Detention Facility; 6)
Department of Public Advocacy; and 7) additional
representation may include juvenile justice agencies,
churches, youth, local government, mental health agencies,
businesses and interested citizens.
Examples of programs
funded by the councils that have an impact on schools
include:
COLLABORATIVE STOP at Winburn Middle School in
Fayette County--This program seeks to reduce chronic
absences and discipline referrals by: 1) providing case
management services including assessments and interventions,
involving parents in case plans and offering parent
education; 2) offer tutorial services and use college
students and community volunteers as reading coaches; and 3)
offer experimental learning modules, such as service
learning, art and music workshops, job shadowing, life
skills, and leadership skills
St. Boniface Neighborhood
After-School Outreach Program in Louisville--This program
provides after school care for neighborhood children,
including a meal, tutoring, supervised play, and specialized
social services for the child and family. It can serve 25 to
30 children ages 6 to 14.
Expression Through the Arts in
Radcliff--This programs provides youth ages 12 to 18 with an
alternative ways of expressing emotions associated with
negative life experiences. It serves 10 to 15 youth per each
nine-week period and the youth spends the time composing an
art form. At the end of the nine-week session, there is a
community arts presentation in which the youth publicly
presents their dance, poetry, music, or other art form to
other youth and their parents.
For additional information
about the Prevention Councils, contact the Department of
Juvenile Justice (502) 573-2738