Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center

Inside the Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center

The Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center is a state-of-the-art facility which transformed the Juvenile Division’s service delivery from traditional juvenile justice practices into more proactive, preventative, and collaborative approaches. The Center combines all juvenile justice related services into one facility, thus, eliminating the need for families to traverse through complicated and often inflexible service systems. This “one-stop-shop” delivery model is extremely effective because it allows for a rapid response to incidents involving a juvenile or their family.

Front entrance of the Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center with American and Missouri state flags.
Glass exterior corner of the Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center facility.
Courtroom inside the Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center with judge bench and seating area.
Interior program area inside the juvenile center with open seating and natural lighting.

Juvenile Center Courtroom

Programs Area

The facility’s trauma-informed design enables youth to engage in treatment and build trusting relationships. The program spaces are flexible allowing Joplin schools to provide educational services during the day while staff deliver in-house treatment, counseling, and other therapeutic interventions in the evening. By providing therapeutic spaces, youth develop positive coping and life skills, increasing their desire for achievement and deterring incorrigible and delinquent behavior.

If you are interested in serving our youth, view volunteer and service opportunities for more information.

Classroom inside the Senator Ron Richard Juvenile Center with desks and large windows.
Community room inside the juvenile center with tables, chairs, and large windows.

Classroom

Community Room