Wendy Crank, of Juvenile Services, went before the Norwood Town Board of Trustees to give an annual update. She said she appreciates the intergovernmental agreement that her organization shares with area towns and counties, so it can help area youth get out, and stay out, of trouble.
First started by Bill Masters and John Mansfield 35 years ago, Juvenile Services exists to help youth and families, keeping kids out of the court system whenever possible. There are tiers of intervention, and the organization produces the safe and sober after-proms and the mock car crashes. Crank said her work includes individual and family counseling, helps with introducing kids to Job Core, makes sure youth aren’t being trafficked, completes trauma assessments, and incorporates other restorative justice practices.
Juvenile Services tries to keep kids out of municipal court and on a juvenile docket. They want kids to learn from mistakes, retain the ability to join the military or receive financial aid, not feel like an outsider in their own community, and make better choices in the future.
In the schools, they monitor a kid’s grades and check to make sure kids are receiving special educational services, in the event they qualify for any; they also give various trainings across the board to all middle schoolers on what it means to be successful.
Crank shared the latest data with the Norwood trustees, numbers from 2021-2023.
According to her presentation, Juvenile Services helped 21 clients in 2021 (nine females and 12 males), 22 in 2022 (four females and 17 males) and 13 in 2023 (five females and eight males).
The demographics indicate that 23 were Caucasian, 19 were Hispanic, and one was African-American.
In 2021, the majority of those served, 12 kids, were ages 16-17; six were age 18 and older. One was in the 14-15 category, and two were 11-13 years old.
That year, the majority of offenses were alcohol related with 20 kids referred. Other offenses that year included marijuana, criminal mischief, nicotine, theft, truancy and trespass.
In 2022, the majority of those served, 12 kids, were ages 14-15; and eight were ages 16-17. None were age 18 and older, but two were ages 11-13.
One that year identified as transgendered.
That year, the majority of offenses were about marijuana with 11 kids referred. Other offenses in 2022 included burglary, criminal mischief, DUI, harassment, menacing, nicotine, alcohol, sexual assault, shoplifting, theft and trespass.
In 2023, the majority of those served, seven kids, were ages 14-15; four were in the 16-17 age group. None were age 18 and older, but two were ages 11-13.
That year, the majority of offenses were about marijuana, with eight kids referred. Other offenses in 2023 included assault, arson, criminal mischief, harassment, nicotine and truancy.
The data also lists the communities who referred kids, and Montrose County Sheriff made no referrals during this time; no kids from Montrose County are identified 2021-2023.
In Ouray County, the data shows Ouray County Sheriff and the Ouray Police made referrals, and 11 kids were in the program.
From San Miguel County, the Telluride Marshal, Norwood Marshal, Mountain Village Police and San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office made referrals, and 41 kids were served.
Juvenile Services does rely on donations for many of their programs, and Crank said she was grateful for the support of all communities who contribute.
“It’s about giving kids a chance to fix things and get back on the right track,” Crank said.
It’s about giving kids a chance to fix things and get back on the right track.
