In looking at the healthcare provided for residents within KDOC, we offer you the first of a three-part series looking at ways KDOC is addressing these issues. This week, we hear how developing a working relationship with the contract partner, Centurion of Kansas LLC, has enabled positive ideas to be turned into positive outcomes.

Megan Milner began her career in the field of corrections and criminal justice in 2000. Her experience ranges from juvenile intake and assessment, substance abuse treatment, family drug court, correctional facility administration, training, reentry services, assessments and program evaluation. Megan was previously the Superintendent at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. Before serving as the Superintendent, Megan served as the Director of Community-Based Services, working with Kansas communities and stakeholders on issues impacting supervision and resources available to system-involved individuals. Megan is a certified public manager, holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Washburn University and a Master's in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.

That beginning was followed by different waves of change in the U.S., bringing new mechanisms such as parole, probation and indeterminate sentencing into mainstream penal practice. Equally rooted in our history is the American favor of the concept of reform and rehabilitation of offenders to become law-abiding citizens. This dates to the post-colonial days of our nation.

In more recent history, in 1973 the Kansas Legislature re-codified our purpose, which in part says “… apply this act and acts of which it is amendatory or supplemental liberally to rehabilitate, train, treat, educate and prepare persons convicted of felony in this state for entry or reentry into the social and economic system of the community….” This law remains in effect to this day. In addition, we now benefit from over four decades of scientific research defining the key principles to reducing crime, principles that align with this statutory purpose. 

Recognizing the need for early identification and intervention of youth and families crossing over between the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, the Kansas Department of Corrections – Juvenile Services (KDOC-JS) entered into a contract with Georgetown University’s Center for Youth Justice (CYJ), previously known as the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) to implement the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM). KDOC-JS has partnered with the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Office of Judicial Administration (OJA) on CYPM implementation in two Kansas pilot sites, with goals of expanding the work to other areas of the state.

“In 2010, CJJR developed the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM) to address the unique needs of youth that are at risk of or are fluctuating between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These youth are commonly referred to as “crossover youth.”

To view the Kansas Department for Children and Families' Crossover Youth information, click here. 

The Crossover Youth Practice Model is a nexus between research and best practices that outlines systemic changes youth serving systems can make to improve their ability to serve youth.

The CYPM has four overarching goals:

• Reduction in the number of youth crossing over and becoming dually-involved;
• Reduction in the number of youth placed in out-of-home care;
• Reduction in the use of congregate care; and
• Reduction in the disproportionate representation of youth of color, particularly in the crossover population”

To learn more about the CYPM, please visit Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at https://cjjr.georgetown.edu/our-work/crossover-youth-practice-model/.

CYPM TOOLKIT

The Toolkit provides an introduction to the Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM). It includes how CYPM was originated, processes for local infrastructure to support cross-system work, how to identify and meet training needs, developing a cross-system case management process, and an over view of how court structure and judicial systems can be involved. The Toolkit is meant to assist counties in Kansas with creating their own version of the CYPM. Information contained in the toolkit is based on facilitated work completed by the Crossover Youth State Policy Team and the counties that have implemented CYPM (i.e., Sedgwick, Shawnee, and Montgomery counties), but is intended to be general enough that any community in Kansas can interpret and enact the stated principles in a manner that best suits the jurisdiction. To access the Toolkit click here.   

KJCC and Foster Care Provider Protocols

State Policy Team

The State Policy team (SPT) is a multi-system and multi-agency collaboration at the state level used to identify and remove barriers and to address obstacles encountered by crossover youth and their families.

State Policy Team Resources 

State Policy Team Upcoming Meetings

The CYPM State Policy Team meets each quarter (January, April, July, October) on the 3rd Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Join the meeting via Zoom link below:

https://kscourts.zoomgov.com/j/1603632275?pwd=0MXZgmdS5uZXBSO8bVJeauhAiY0jj5.1

Meeting ID: 160 363 2275

Passcode: 123

State Policy Team Meeting Summaries

2025 Annual Report, Office of the Child Advocate

OCA.1.21.26 Crossover Youth State Policy Team

SPT Summary 012126

MCO Manager Presentation 012026

CYPM State Policy Team Members

• Interested in becoming a mentor?
• Lead Organization
• Training
• M4S Juvenile Brochure

Mentoring Juvenile Residents in Kansas

Mentoring is a key component to reducing recidivism and
making safer communities in Kansas

Mentoring 4 Success (M4S) is a statewide community-based initiative.  M4S delivers mentoring services to help residents safely and successfully return to their home communities once their incarceration term is complete. Mentors assist residents with successfully completing community supervision.

Many juvenile residents throughout the state of Kansas are actively involved in the juvenile justice system. Many of the residents need help finding employment, enrolling in education, locating resources for mental and behavioral health along with treatment and identifying other community resources. M4S has proven to assist our residents in these areas. Mentors are instrumental in helping residents establish a life of pro-social activities and meaningful engagements within their communities.

Our goal is to ensure that every resident involved in the juvenile justice system can work with a mentor. M4S mentors are trained and matched  to a carefully selected resident based on one year to six month post release and the residents genuine interest of participating in the program and promoting change within themself. M4S matches are regularly monitored and evaluated to ensure the most effective mentoring practices are utilized. Mentors are guided by community service organizations and work closely with the Department of Corrections Juvenile and Adult Community-Based Services.