Strengthening Bonds: A Collective Effort to Change Trajectories, Invest in Older Youth, and Preserve Families via St. Louis’s first Youth Assessment Center
Breaking the foster care-to-prison cycle is the goal behind a collaborative multi-agency effort led by The Core Collective at Saint Vincent. The Youth Assessment Center, based at The Core Collective, aims to divert youth from the juvenile justice system by providing supportive services to aid children and families dealing with problem behaviors or delinquency before those issues escalate and hit a crisis point.
This year, we moved beyond short-term fixes to enhance our programs for longer, more impactful support. By expanding our partnerships with diverse experts, we now deliver comprehensive, quality-based services that holistically meet our youth’s needs.”
Latosha Fowlkes, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Core Collective at Saint Vincent
“When a kid hits my system, the likelihood of them being in the adult justice system is greater,” said Rick Gaines, Chief Juvenile Officer of the 21st Judicial Circuit.
According to the latest data, there are 13,194 children in the foster care system in Missouri. By age 17, over 50% of foster children will have an encounter with the juvenile legal system through arrest, conviction or detention. In addition, 25% of youth in foster care will be involved with the criminal legal system within two years of leaving foster care. If a child has moved to five or more placements, they are at a 90% risk of being involved with the criminal legal system. However, research indicates that if a youth can be successfully diverted from the court system and into treatment, there is a high probability that the child will not return to the court system at a later time.
“Our new initiative aligns with The Core Collective’s collaborative strategy of working together across systems under one roof, and is an opportunity to have multiple agencies that are all collectively working together to serve young people and their families,”
Tymesha Buckner-Dobynes, Director of Delinquency Services, St. Louis County Juvenile Office.
A One-Stop Shop for Youth & Families
The multi-agency hub at The Core Collective brings together the services of the St. Louis County Juvenile Office, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund, Normandy Schools Collaborative and North County Police Cooperative, and other agencies to provide easy access for children, youth and families to comprehensive child welfare and juvenile justice services in one location. The St. Louis County-based center is a one-stop shop for youth and families needing prevention and intervention services.
“The health and welfare of our children and their families is our highest priority,” said Ms. Fowlkes. “In working together with agencies involved in providing services to children and families in need, we stand a much better chance of reducing juvenile crime and delinquency.”
What is a Youth Assessment Center?
Juvenile assessment centers collaborate with families, law enforcement, the courts, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the school system, and social service agencies. This collaboration allows for a more efficient relationship between all the agencies that serve pre- and at-risk youth and their families, which in the end may provide youth a clearer path to independence and avoidance of juvenile justice involvement in their lives.
“Our kids are growing up too fast,” said Dr. Michael D. Triplett, Superintendent of Schools of Normandy Schools Collaborative. “School provides an opportunity for learning and education. The Core Collective delivers supportive services that nurture youths’ social and emotional well-being.
The concern for children and families is universal. And Missouri is not alone in its struggles with providing essential child welfare functions. Too many children go into foster care and remain there too long, costing the state $25,000 per child, which equals $350,000,000 annually. Services provided at a juvenile assessment center offer great promise. By keeping youth safe and in their homes, when possible, outcomes for children and families are improved with less expense incurred by the state.
The Youth Assessment Center at The Core Collective equips youth with essential tools, life skills, and support systems. By addressing diverse needs such as education, mental health, and employment, its approach empowers youth to become conscious leaders.
“Racial and ethnic minority youth are disproportionally represented in our child welfare and juvenile justice systems,” said Paulette Foerster, Chief Program Officer of St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund. “Early intervention is critical for positive youth development. Though our strategic funding, CSF hopes to connect youth with collaborative and comprehensive community services for their continued well-being.”
Join Us in Making a Collective Impact
“We are grateful to our partners for their support in making this initiative an integral part of our ongoing work in strengthening families.” added Ms. Fowlkes. “I think an exciting thing about the future of The Core Collective at St. Vincent is that our region desperately needs a one-stop shop location centered around investing in the transformational power of youth. With the partnerships we have gained and our connections to the community, I believe the future of our organization and our region is bright. We are invested.”
The Core Collective invites their partners, supporters, and all those who share their commitment to transforming the lives of St. Louis youth to join in their mission to make well-being the standard for the community. Your partnership can make a lasting difference.
To learn more about The Core Collective’s new initiative, please watch our video.
You can read more about this initiative in the St. Louis American here.
You can also listen to KMOX’s interview of Latosha Fowlkes, President and CEO of The Core Collective & Rick Gaines, Chief Juvenile Officer of the 21st Judicial Circuit discussing the Assessment Center here.
