The Kansas House and Senate have approved juvenile justice reform legislation.

68th District State Representative Tom Moxley told a Junction City audience at a legislative coffee that they knew not all children could return to troubled homes. Youth centers were still needed.

So 50 statewide slots were created in those facilities.

But Moxley noted the main idea is to involve communities in the efforts to keep most troubled juveniles in their home communities. “That’s where the effort will be, and that will take away the need to use as many slots away from home placement. ”

Moxley says research the last 20 years shows that families and home placement are more successful than taking those young people out of that community.