When a kid in Wayne County gets in trouble, what happens?

The Western Wayne Care Management Organization (WWCMO) provides case management services for adjudicated clients from the 17 communities in Western Wayne County. The Third Judicial Circuit Court – Family Division can recommend Level 1 (community-based probation service) for youth ages 10-17 and Level 2 (out-of-home residential placement) for ages 13-17.

We meet clients where they are, with most of the case management taking place at school, at home or in their respective treatment programs, promoting services and support within their community.

Case Management itself is individualized to meet the client’s needs, address the root cause of their issues and help guide them toward success. When a youth engages with Growth Works, we become responsible for their supervision and care.

Our kids can participate in a variety of treatment services including physical fitness, equestrian, mentoring, and many more prosocial activities.

We ensure that clients are complying with their court-ordered requirements while promoting public safety, as well as their own personal growth and success.

On October 1, 2024, legislative changes took effect regarding youth justice reform efforts in the state of Michigan. Since these changes in legislation, Growth Works has been involved in opportunities that can help improve the system. Probation services will continue to shift from punitive approaches to ones utilizing incentives, replacing compliance with coaching and focusing on individualized treatment to achieve desired outcomes.

In early 2024 Growth Works was asked to join the Wayne County Probation Implementation Team. This team is responsible for the analysis and implementation of new reform requirements in Wayne County. Furthermore, representatives from Wayne County and Growth Works were invited by the Annie E. Casey Foundation to participate in mapping out the current system and preparing for future transformation of juvenile probation and diversions services within Wayne County.

Growth Works is also involved in other community efforts to improve the youth justice system. The agency has provided trainings for local police officers regarding trauma approaches when engaging youth and the importance of building trusting relationships.

The Youth Advisory Council serves to provide recommendations to the board and staff based on their own experiences in the Juvenile Justice System. This includes building a framework for utilizing Credible Messenger practices to use their own lived experiences to help support youths who are currently in the system.

In addition, we have started violence prevention services that combine both group programming and individual wraparound approaches executed by both staff and those with lived experience in the youth justice system of care.

Growth Works remains committed to continuing these efforts to serve clients and families within our communities in the most effective and meaningful way possible. These services play a crucial role in ensuring safety and fostering a sense of security throughout Western Wayne County, even for those who may never directly engage with our program.

For individuals involved with the Western Wayne Care Management Organization, we are confident that these services offer both support and a pathway to hope. Without the Care Management System, adjudicated youth would rely on state intervention, missing the vital community support and network of providers that currently address the unique needs of each child.