Youth Court Day at Capitol focuses on improvements

By Beverly Kraft
Administrative Office of Courts

JACKSON — Improvements to Mississippi’s Youth Court system are once again before the Legislature, and representatives of the judiciary and a wide range of child welfare professions gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 20, to discuss proposed legislation.

The Administrative Office of Courts organized Youth Court Day at the Capitol. Senate Judiciary A Committee Chairman Brice Wiggins of Pascagoula addressed judges, court staff, agency representatives, mental health professionals, social workers, attorneys, CASA volunteers and others involved in the child welfare system.

Wiggins said the Senate and House of Representatives have spent the past two years researching the needs of children and the Youth Court system that serves them. “What we are here to do is to take it to the next level,” he said. “We want the reforms to last and be sustainable.”

Among the proposed reforms is the creation of a uniform Youth Court system. Currently, 24 courts have full-time county court judges, only four of whom hear exclusively Youth Court matters. A chancellor hears Youth Court cases in two counties. In the remaining counties, Youth Court matters are handled by a Youth Court referee, an attorney appointed by the chancery court.

Multiple models have been proposed to establish a uniform system. Wiggins pointed to Gov. Tate Reeves’ proposal to add additional chancellors to hear Youth Court cases.

Wiggins also said lawmakers are considering increased funding and greater transparency.

He said there is a need to reduce the amount of time it takes for children under Youth Court jurisdiction to reach permanent homes. “It is taking way too long to get them through the system,” Wiggins said.

Proposed reforms could also help the state move closer to resolving the Olivia Y class-action lawsuit, which began in 2004. The lawsuit alleged Mississippi’s foster care system failed to adequately protect children in its custody. The system remains under monitoring and reporting requirements imposed by U.S. District Court.

The Administrative Office of Courts’ Youth Court Division has worked with multiple consultants to provide detailed information to lawmakers, state agencies and Youth Courts in developing a multiyear strategic plan. The plan includes statewide reforms, funding strategies and evidence-based best practices aimed at improving outcomes for children, youth and families.

Consultants working with AOC proposed 12 recommendations:

1. Establish a system of full-time Youth Court judges and court staff, estimated to cost between $7.3 million and $9.8 million.
2. Create a uniform intake system across Youth Court, Child Protection Services and the Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services, using research-based policies for screening, assessment, decision-making and supervision. AOC is requesting $2.5 million to continue funding Youth Court intake officers authorized by the 2025 Legislature and to train all intake officers statewide.
3. Ensure high-quality, independent legal representation for parents and all parties in Youth Court proceedings, with some costs potentially reimbursed through federal funding.
4. Require agency-directed assessment and determination of whether to pursue matters in Youth Court.
5. Adopt an agency representation model in which attorneys for child welfare agencies represent the agency as the petitioner in Youth Court proceedings.
6. Implement statewide diversion programs for youth at low risk of reoffending and first-time minor offenders, while prioritizing intensive services for high-risk youth.
7. Designate Youth Courts as the sole courts for handling truancy matters.
8. Expand and dedicate funding for prevention programs and services.
9. Develop a uniform protocol to support “crossover” youth involved in both abuse and neglect cases and delinquency proceedings.
10. Replace the outdated Youth Court records and case management system with modern technology. AOC is requesting $8 million for the replacement, which is estimated to take 32 months to build.
11. Provide equal access to Youth Court records for all parties and their attorneys and expand access for attorneys interested in practicing in this area of law.
12. Maximize funding through interagency collaboration and improved use of federal and state funding streams.