State funding allows YouthZone to divert kids from the criminal justice system in the 9^th Judicial District by providing intervention and support through the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum program. Since 2018, Airen Goodman has been the CYDC/Senate Bill 94 Coordinator.

Appearing in court is scary and unsettling for teens and their families. Airen, who holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, has been responding to crisis calls helping youth navigate through the court system by assisting them through pre-trial supervision or the diversion program.

Airen’s role at YouthZone will now include strengthening community relations and client care coordination. In this new role as the new Community Relations and Client Care Coordinator, she will continue to handle the more difficult CYDC cases, but a second staff member will take over coordinating meetings, managing the database and servicing the pretrial supervision.

Moving Airen into this new role of strengthening YouthZone’s collaboration with community partners will result in higher quality care with proactive interventions without the duplication of services.

This early response to youth in crisis could help them avoid suspension or being expelled. Catching problems at a family or school level can prevent youth from entering the juvenile systems and help them re-engage in school community. Providing early intervention is most effective when part of a more comprehensive plan involving a range of school and community partners.

Airen said this expanded role is perfect for her because she likes to create and implement new ideas by collaborating with communities to identify gaps in services. “We will be able to be creative on how to bridge those gaps by working out the details to implement or strengthen existing programming to meet the needs of youth and family in our communities.”

Airen will also provide support to YouthZone staff by developing internal protocols and procedures to provide high quality care to clients being served.