Building Stronger Communities

We leverage behavior science to create impactful solutions for children and their communities.

Our Commitment to Community and Children

We strive to harness the power of behavior science to create lasting change in the lives of children and their communities. Our mission is to build supportive environments that foster growth, resilience, and opportunity.

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Our History and Milestones

Since our inception, we have dedicated ourselves to empowering communities. Our milestones reflect our commitment to making a lasting impact on children's lives.

1977

Program Established

District Judge Mike Elwell of Douglas County, Kansas, initiates a volunteer mentoring program to support truant youth and prevent juvenile crime. The Volunteers in Court program recruited college students from the University of Kansas (KU) to provide one-on-one mentorship to truant high school students in Douglas County.

1978

Established As University Course

KU Professor Jan Sheldon, Ph.D., J.D., integrates the volunteer mentoring program in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science, establishing it as an official university course for undergraduate students while maintaining the partnership with the Volunteers in Court program. Dr. Sheldon expands the program model to include evidence-based components like attendance monitoring, contingency contracts, parent and school involvement, ongoing data analysis and evaluation, and court back-up through truancy review hearings with an assistant district attorney. The program becomes known as the KU Truancy Prevention and Diversion Program.

1979

Partnership with Court Program

The KU Truancy Prevention and Diversion Program launches in partnership with the Volunteers in Court program, serving truant students across all high schools in Douglas County.

1982

Program Expands

Dr. Sheldon partners with the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). SRS assigns a social worker to support program operations. The program expands to all elementary and middle schools in Douglas County.

2012

A New Partnership

SRS becomes the Department for Children and Families (DCF), and state support for the truancy program is withdrawn. Pam Weigand, Director of Douglas County Criminal Justice Services, partners with Dr. Sheldon and appoints a juvenile services officer to ensure the program’s continued operation.

2014

Continued Growth

Dr. Sheldon accepts doctoral student, Kelsey Dachman, and appoints her as a graduate teaching and research assistant with the KU Truancy Prevention and Diversion Program.

2020

New Leadership

Dr. Dachman completes her PhD and Dr. Sheldon accepts doctoral student, Madison Graham, and appoints her as a graduate teaching assistant with the KU Truancy Prevention and Diversion Program. Dr. Sheldon retires after a 44-year tenure at KU.

2021

The Legacy Continues

Dr. Dachman and Ms. Madison Graham co-found the Center for Supportive Communities (CSC), a 501(c)3 in Lawrence, KS, to uphold Dr. Sheldon’s legacy, continue program operations, and expand behavioral health services in Douglas County and beyond.
The Founders re-name the KU Truancy Prevention and Diversion Program to SupportEd. Dr. Sheldon and Pam Weigand join CSC’s Board of Directors.

2022

Support Ed Launches

CSC receives a grant from Douglas County, KS, to continue operating the SupportEd program. SupportEd launches through CSC in August of 2022.

Our Team

We are a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals with a passion for providing the best possible services and support to our community. We are dedicated to continuous learning and development, and we are always looking for new ways to improve our skills and knowledge. CSC’s team of experts is expanding to meet the complex behavioral health needs of the communities we serve.