Missouri (MO) — State Brief
Juvenile Justice (2015–2025)
Missouri DYS Therapeutic Model
Missouri’s Division of Youth Services (DYS) emphasizes small, regional, therapeutic programs (often called the “Missouri Model”) with group-based treatment, strong education continuity, and step-down aftercare rather than large correctional institutions.
Pipeline Snapshot
- Intake & Screening: Juvenile Officers use Missouri Juvenile Risk Assessment at intake.
- Detention: Detention assessment required; JDAI sites prioritize release with monitoring; detention last resort.
- Adjudication & Disposition: Family courts; individualized; DYS consulted; dispositions include probation or commitment to DYS; Missouri Model culture.
- Commitment & Placement: DYS commitments for serious/chronic; small regional therapeutic programs, group homes, limited secure.
- Reentry & Aftercare: DYS levels down placements, then aftercare with education continuity; track at least 12 months.
- Authority: Unified state DYS handles committed youth end-to-end; courts handle probation with DYS support.
- Policies: Ch.211 Juvenile Causes; Raise the Age 2018 (effective 2021); Missouri Model (practice).
- Data Handoff: Strong court–DYS sharing; limited tracking beyond 24 months post-release.
Notes & Sources
- MO DYS reports; JJIE case studies; AECF Missouri Model.