Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts
In 2014, Kentucky experienced sweeping reforms to its state juvenile code. These reforms expanded access to diversion - to prevent youth from progressing deeper into the juvenile justice system and focus intensive resources on the most serious offenders.
While highly successful, these reforms brought to light the disproportionate and disparate outcomes for youth of color who have contact with Kentucky’s Court Designated Workers (CDW) Program, the state’s pre-court diversion and intake program.
Within the Court Designated Workers Program, the top 10 racial, ethnic, and equity disparate counties have local action plans to meet the individual needs of youth in their communities.
These plans follow an agency-level strategic plan that includes specific reduction goals to address local concerns and issues identified during an annual Racial Equity Assessment.
The institutionalization of policy, procedure, and practice changes has directly impacted the individualized client approach that CDW Program staff provide to all youth they work with daily.
To date, Kentucky has experienced the following impact from its 2014 statewide juvenile justice reforms on black youth:
- 53% decrease in detention
- 67% decrease in complaints filed
- 60% decrease in failure to appear appointments
Program Overview
Tips for Success
- Individualize your approach to working with youth of color and it will benefit all youth.
- Identify contact points with data in order to understand where youth are having positive and negative outcomes.
- Be bold and intentional.