Are we okay? Because it’s hard to understand our state spending millions of our hard-earned money on youth “solutions” that continue to fail. The outcomes don’t improve. Our communities don’t get safer. Our children don’t come home any better off.⁠ ⁠ We are basically paying prisons six figures to rent a room and run the facility rather than rehabilitating the actual kids inside. ⁠ ⁠ Kids don’t learn better behavior by serving time in a negative environment or sitting alone in solitary confinement.. They need adults who show up, communities that invest in them, and systems that address the roots of the problem instead of punishing the reactions.⁠ ⁠ This is why our dollars are much better spent on the programs that truly keep us safe. Think about it..⁠ ⁠ A child who has what they need doesn’t have to steal it from you. A child who sees value in their life won’t pay the price to take yours. A child who receives support isn’t forced to survive by any means necessary.⁠ ⁠ Yet instead of gi...