Jerry Wells, executive director of the Topeka-based Koch Crime Institute, a private research organization, said he, too, believed the new model would work. From the outset, the authority, which was authorized by 1995 and 1996 legislation, set its sights high. Reduce crime and sharply cut the number of juveniles entering correctional facilities. Besides last year's decline in admissions to juvenile correctional facilities, the number of violent crimes committed by juveniles in Kansas has diminished in recent years. But that's true across the nation, and authorities say it is difficult to determine whether juvenile reform affected the crime rate as much as other factors, such as the decline in the popularity of crack cocaine and the criminal activity of violent gangs that control it.
Funding remains an issue.
Missouri also has made changes in how it deals with juvenile offenders, including giving judges wide discretion on which youths should be prosecuted as adults. In Missouri, juvenile justice is under the wing of the state Department of Social Services. In the last two years, the number of community-based prevention and intervention programs has increased by 37 percent. In Kansas City, Kan., the Summer Night Hoops program teamed up with three faith-based organizations to offer programs throughout the year. After school, neighborhood youngsters are welcome for recreation at the three sites where the program is offered.