It’s got a big name: the Michigan Juvenile Residential Facilities Advisory Committee, but its job is clear: work under the state health department to improve residential care facilities across the state.
Oftentimes, when children enter the system, it can be extremely difficult for local courts to get them the help they need, due to shortages in both facilities and the staff to manage them.
Ginger Kadlec is chief executive officer at Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center.
“There is a definite need for juvenile residential facilities. Both from if they’re involved in a criminal allegation as well as just for mental health beds.”
The forming of the committee is one of many recommendations that came out of the Michigan Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force.
This story was co-reported with the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
