By KEN CARPENTER
Great Bend Post
The agency in central Kansas that helps at-risk youth is getting back to normal following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s according to Ryan Lichter, a community case manager with Juvenile Services for the 20th Judicial District. He said his agency was able to function fairly well during the pandemic. However, getting some youth to go to school was a major challenge during the past school year.
“Our truancy numbers skyrocketed in the 20th Judicial District. We had a lot,” Lichter commented. “Rice County, Russell County, Barton, Ellsworth and Stafford are what we cover. So this year, we’re hoping, obviously, that’s not the issue.”
Summer can also be a valuable time for at-risk youth. Lichter explains.
“One of the bigger things that we’ve taken on with the nicer weather is having our kids get out and do some community service,” Lichter said. “With Juvenile Services, we have what’s called the Intermediate Intervention Program which is a supervised diversion program. And we also have Intensive Probation. Those individuals who are in those two programs are required to do community service work. They also have the ability sometimes to work off their fines and fees through the community service. That’s what we’ve been busy doing is getting these kids out there, getting them into the community and getting them to work.”
Lichter says the work is a way for his clients to give back to the community. Some of the community service assignments include working for the Humane Society, the Dream Center and cleanup at Veteran’s Park.