01/31/19
By Randy Gonzales
University Relations and Marketing
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University is part of a project titled “Our Town, Our Kids,” aimed at helping prevent youth from entering the criminal justice system.

Rural counties in western Kansas are part of a study devoted to developing support systems for youth and families with the goal of providing services that maximize their chances of leading productive lives. The project was awarded funding by the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Advisory Group.

Dr. April Terry, associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at FHSU, said rural western Kansas is often overlooked. It is important to have a study in which 22 of the 23 counties are in rural areas of the state, Terry said. Ellis County is included.

“There is a big hole in rural criminology (research),” Terry said. “There is very little research in rural areas and juvenile(s). We hope that his project will result in a national initiative to look at other rural areas.”

Also part of the study is Michael Walker, director of the Docking Institute of Public Affairs, which will collect and analyze data. Walker said it speaks well of the Docking Institute and FHSU for its involvement in the project.

“It’s good for us to be recognized as someone who should be part of the team,” Walker said. “We do have a good reputation. A lot of folks in western Kansas know who we are and affiliated with Fort Hays State.”

Over the next two years, project members will work with stakeholders in the 22 rural counties plus urban Wyandotte County, which was selected for comparative purposes. They will collect data and provide analysis in fostering community collaboration in support of youth and families.

Terry said it was important to have a presence from FHSU in the study.

“You are coming into Tigerland when you come to this part of the state,” Terry said. “It’s important to include Fort Hays State people. Fort Hays State people also are interested in their kids.”

FHSU’s involvement in the project shows the university’s commitment to its service area. “It shows an investment to the community,” Terry said. “It’s a focus on juveniles, but it impacts everybody. I think having local people invested in local issues is helpful.”

Walker said the Docking Institute chooses to work primarily with non-profit organizations and governmental entities.

“The project is very important,” Walker said. “We are able to take on projects that are beneficial to overall society.”

As part of the effort to engage positive community support, the group plans to develop a tool kit to assist communities in serving the needs of their youth. The group’s website, http://ourtownourkids.org./, will have the tool kit made available. The group will issue a report at the end of the study.