Youth Services Program

Platte County Youth Services Board

In 2023, the Platte County Sheriff’s Office and the Platte County Attorney’s Office collaborated to create the Platte County Youth Service Board, a proactive initiative designed to provide alternative pathways for youth involved in the justice system. Recognizing the need for more supportive measures than just court proceedings or detention, Deputy County Attorney Marel Bunker-Roth and Sheriff David Russell developed this program to offer young individuals an opportunity to address their behavior and find a constructive solution.

The Youth Services Board provides probation services for Circuit Court, CHINS (Children in Need of Supervision), and Truancy cases through Juvenile Court. Youths participating in the program are given a one-time opportunity to complete a tailored probation plan. The program is designed to focus on rehabilitation, with the youth's progress being overseen by School Resource Officers (SROs), who act as probation officers and work directly with the youth to help them fulfill the requirements of their program.

Development and Responsibilities of Juvenile Justice

In the early 2000s, Platte County established a Youth Services Board to develop juvenile justice programs. Although this program ended in the late 2000s, the current initiative, revitalized in 2023, aims to offer meaningful alternatives to detention, such as community supervision (probation). The program also provides access to various resources, including electronic monitoring, 48-hour holds, and youth home placements, available out of the county. Furthermore, we maintain contracts with secure Juvenile Detention Center facilities for more serious cases that require secure detention.

Board Members

The Platte County Youth Services Board is composed of a diverse group of professionals and community organizations, including representatives from:

• Platte County Attorney’s Office
• Platte County Sheriff’s Office
• Wheatland Department of Family Services
• Platte County School District #1
• Platte County School District #2
• Specialty Counseling
• Volunteers of America
• Wyoming Probation
• Wheatland Police Department

A Commitment to Youth and the Community

Working with youth and providing them with the necessary support to succeed is of high importance to Sheriff Russell. This initiative benefits not only the individuals involved but also the entire Platte County community, creating a stronger, more supportive environment for youth development and positive change.