Breaking the foster care-to-prison cycle is a goal of a multi-agency effort led by The Core Collective at Saint Vincent and its Youth Assessment Center.
The center helps 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,” said Latosha Fowlkes, The Core Collective president and CEO.
“By expanding our partnerships with diverse experts, we now deliver comprehensive, quality-based services that holistically meet our youth’s needs.”
Rick Gaines, chief juvenile officer of the 21st Judicial Circuit in St. Louis County said it is vital to keep young people out of the criminal justice system.
“When a kid hits my system, the likelihood of them being in the adult justice system is greater,” he said.
According to a state study, 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, according to a Georgetown University study. 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 later.
“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,” said Tymesha Buckner-Dobynes, St. Louis County Juvenile Office director of Delinquency Services.
The Collective brings together the services of the St. Louis County Juvenile Office, St. Louis County Children Services Fund, Normandy Schools Collaborative and North County Police Cooperative, and other agencies to provide access for children, youth and families to comprehensive child welfare and juvenile justice services in one location.
“The health and welfare of our children and their families is our highest priority,” said 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.”
Dr. Michael D. Triplett, Normandy Schools Collaborative superintendent, said the collaborative effort is needed because “our kids are growing up too fast.”
“School provides an opportunity for learning and education. The Core Collective delivers supportive services that nurture youths’ social and emotional well-being.”
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, St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund chief program officer.
“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.”
Fowlkes the region “desperately needs a one-stop shop location centered around investing in the transformational power of youth.”
“We are grateful to our partners for their support in making this initiative an integral part of our ongoing work in strengthening families,” she said.
“With the partnerships we have gained and our connections to the community, the future of our region is bright. We are invested.”
To learn more about how you can get involved and support this vital work, please visit thecorecollectivestl.org.