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For Immediate Release:
April 15, 2008
Contact: Sara Anderson
(573) 526-0407
Jefferson City — The Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) announced today that its Division of Youth Services (DYS) was chosen as one of the "Top 50 Programs of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards" and advances to the next round of competition. The Innovations in American Government Awards selected the 50 best programs from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants who represent the best in government innovation. The 2008 winners will receive a $100,000 award towards replication and dissemination of best practices.
"Missouri places the greatest value on our children and young people," Gov. Blunt said. "Our Division of Youth Services continues to gain national recognition for their work, and I applaud them for answering my call to advance innovative programs that ensure the young people in their care have every chance to succeed."
"It is an honor to be recognized by this group and chosen to advance in the competition," said DSS Director Deborah Scott. "We are very proud of DYS and take pride in the successes and accomplishments of our young people, families, community partners, and staff. Although it would be an additional honor to be chosen the most innovative program in the country, our real reward is seeing youth being transformed into the remarkable men and women they become."
The Missouri DYS is a nationally recognized juvenile justice program. It has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country with less than 10 percent of youth re-entering the juvenile justice or being incarcerated as adults. The program focuses on rehabilitation and recognizes that treatment and education go hand-in-hand. Through this approach, DYS makes great strides in preparing youth to re-enter society as law abiding, productive citizens who contribute to the communities in which they live. DYS is an accredited school district and is nationally ranked for its educational success of delinquent youth. More than 90 percent of Missouri youth in juvenile corrections or detention earn high school credits, compared to 46 percent nationally. The division also offers the Work Experience Program which allows youth to develop job readiness skills and gain on the job training experience making them more employable upon return to their communities.
"Our ultimate goal is to positively impact the lives of these young people and their families. Our approach is to address the issues that need attention and resolution while youth are in our care. This approach, along with the philosophy that education and job preparation can support the life changes they are making, gives us the model we have today. We are always working to improve what we do to have better outcomes for young people," said Tim Decker, DYS Director.
The Innovations in American Government Awards began in 1985 at Harvard Kennedy School by the Ford Foundation. The awards program is designed to improve government practice by honoring effective government initiatives and encouraging the adoption of such practices across the country.
Finalists will be announced on June 3, 2008. The winners of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Award will be announced in September 2008.
