The basic logic of youth corrections is that if you treat young people like inmates, they'll act like prisoners. If you treat them like young people capable of being citizens, they'll much more likely act like citizens.
MYSI includes former DYS top management staff who help build and develop the ?Missouri approach?. Our leader is Mark Steward who was DYS director for 17 years. Our team includes top staff, managers and trainers who helped develop the "Missouri approach."
Now they can help you develop a similar system that fits your juvenile justice reform needs.
MYSI In The News, On The Radio
& Related Articles
MYSI Assists New York City with Close to Home Initiative in Developing Components of the Missouri Model In 2010, the Annie E. Casey Foundation was approached by the Commissioners of the New York City ...Read Story » |
On the Cusp of Major Reform, New York City?s Juvenile Justice Commissioner Speaks to The Chronicle Under the ?Raise the Age? law he signed in 2017, the state will soon consider most 16- and 17-year-olds to be juveniles and not adults in the eyes of the law....Read Story » |
MYSI Newsletter
Review of MO DYS Compared to California's System Part 2
The Missouri Youth Services Institute (MYSI) is a not for profit organization created to assist juvenile systems in reform efforts. MYSI is led by Mark D. Steward, former Director of the Missouri Division of Youth Services (DYS) for over 17 years. Under his leadership, Missouri?s Division of Youth Services received national and international attention as the ?model? state juvenile justice system.
Missouri dramatically changed its juvenile justice treatment programs several decades ago switching from a correctional approach, to regionally based facilities and community programs that emphasize rehabilitation, treatment, and education.
Introductory video on the juvenile justice approach used by the Missouri Youth Services Institute. This approach is featured in a documentary, Like Any Other Kid. www.likeanyotherkid.com
For anyone honestly seeking to transform their juvenile justice system from a correctional model to a positive youth development model, there is no group better than MYSI to help effect that change. MYSI staff truly understood the dynamics of making that kind of huge cultural change in an entrenched system.
They handled their technical assistance/training/coaching role with great skill and sensitivity. We would be nowhere near as far along in our reform efforts without MYSI.
Vincent N. Schiraldi
Director, Department of Youth Rehabilitation (2005-2009),
Washington, D.C.