A grant from the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority will allow Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center to launch a program to assist troubled youths.

The grant, amounting to $65,819, was awarded to Douglas County Youth Services, which applied for the grant on behalf of the center.

The center will administer the grant by setting up a program designed to help troubled juveniles avoid being removed from their homes by the juvenile justice system. Youths identified for the program would be those having one or more contacts with the justice system and those who are at risk of being removed from their homes.

The grant will pay for staff training. Part of the treatment for the youths is working with their families to improve interaction.