HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Over the summer Christian County Public Schools launched their new day treatment program that will assist students in the juvenile court system by providing continued education, resources, therapy and overall support. Heading the program is Dr. Kim Stevenson who said, “We want to change the trajectory of these student’s futures.”
After opening on July 7, enrollment was already at full capacity with 36 students. This program will follow the same requirements and standards of regional day treatment facilities for students in sixth through twelfth grade who have been court ordered to enroll in alternative programs.
“Our goal is to provide students with comprehensive therapeutic services, academic growth opportunities, and individualized learning plans for their unique needs,” she explained during the July CCPS Board of Education meeting.
Stevenson, who also services as Director of Student Services, said students have been receptive to the structure and will have the opportunity to go on field trips and participate in community service while earning points to successfully complete the program.
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Why the program was established
To make this program a partnership was established between the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children and CCPS. The decision for the school system to establish their own day treatment program stemmed from capacity limitations by nearby regional facilities. Also, students will now be able to work directly with CCPS employees instead of DJJ employees.
“If you look at the number of students in our juvenile court system, we need more services,” Stevenson added, further explaining to Christian County Now that the implementation of virtual learning for kids who have gone through the court system is not always beneficial and potentially lacks supervision and needed therapy.
That being said, depending on what charges they are facing, not all students will be accepted into the program and may have to remain virtual.
School Board Attorney Jack Lackey said discussion about establishing this program has been in the works as early as 2008, with the concept facing multiple obstacles over the years. He said, “This has been a need for a long time, you’ve got the right people in the right spot that can get things done.”
Students to utilize new Christian County Learning Center
“We don’t want them to fall through the cracks, we want them to get out of the system,” Stevenson said, adding that teachers involved in the program are excited to get the kids where they need to be and are working to build trust.
The day treatment students will be in the old Christian County High School where all alternative programs will be housed under the new Christian County Learning Center. Previously, students in alternative programs attended the Bluegrass Learning Academy that was located at facilities in the Stadium of Champions.
The campus will be occupied by all alternative programs including support for virtual learning, the focus and finish program, the home hospital program along with those who were expelled or face long suspensions. Students in the day treatment program will be separated from others throughout the entirety of the day with their own section of the building and scheduled times for recreation areas.
Find contact information for the Christian County Day Treatment Center, other alternative programs and student resources on the Christian County Public Schools website.
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