Sebelius: Community input keeps Kansas kids on the right path
Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention grants available to local groups

To reduce juvenile crime by empowering communities to pursue programs suited to their individual needs, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has made several appointments and reappointments to the Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.    

“Preventing crime and helping keep young people on the right path is something every community should be involved in,” Sebelius said. “That’s why ongoing evaluation of Kansas’ juvenile justice programs should include community input. These appointments reflect a broad range of experts, leaders and community representatives from across Kansas.”

The Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention participates in the development and review of the state juvenile justice plan and makes recommendations on all juvenile justice grant applications. Each year more than $7 million is provided to local communities for prevention and early intervention programs.

To receive federal funding available under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, states annually submit an application to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The prevention programs funded by JJA must reflect a history of effectiveness and demonstrate how the program will address community risk factors, as well as community protective factors to reduce juvenile crime.

Appointments and reappointments to the Kansas Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention are as follows:

The following individuals were appointed to each serve a four-year term:

Brian Black, Wichita
Shelly Chenoweth, Wichita
Dr. Brenda Dietrich, Topeka
The Honorable Wade Dixon, Tribune
Senator Laura Kelly, Topeka
Melissa Rundus, Topeka
Tyra Talbert, Topeka
Sherrie Vaughan-Gregg, Arkansas City
Jan West, Independence
Dr. Sonya Willis, Overland Park

The following individuals were reappointed to serve another four-year term:

Dustin A. Allen, Topeka
Marilynn L. Ault, Topeka
Judy Bredesen, Coffeyville
Cynthia A. Geist, Wichita
Brandon J. Johnson, Wichita
Sarah D. Mays, Topeka
Representative Melody McCray-Miller, Wichita
Dustin J. Nelson, Hutchinson
Melody Pappan, Dexter
Erika Nilles Plumlee, Lawrence

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