Rapides Parish Judge Nationally Honored
Dec 13, 2009, Louisiana Models for Change (courtesy of Elliot A. Hutchinson))
Ninth Judicial District Judge Patricia Evans Koch will be honored as a 2009 Champion for Change in juvenile justice reform for her work locally and across the state.
Koch will be recognized by the MacArthur Foundation-supported Models for Change juvenile justice systems reform initiative during the Fourth Annual Models for Change national conference in Washington, D.C., this week.
The organization said Koch is being honored for her work to improve the lives of court-involved children, their families and communities.
Models for Change is the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation's $140 million national initiative to reform juvenile justice across the country.
There are now 16 states involved -- four working on a range of state and local reforms, and 12 as part of three action networks focusing on disproportionate minority contact, mental health and juvenile indigent defense.
"Judge Koch's dedication, expertise, and reputation are having a tremendous impact on Models for Change in Rapides Parish and Louisiana," said Dr. Debra K. DePrato, director of Models for Change Louisiana.
"Her leadership and her ability to bring different groups to the table, is actually changing practice on the ground and has made her a champion and a leading voice for effective change."
Koch was elected to represent Division E of the 9th Judicial District Court in 2005 and has been serving as the juvenile judge since 2006.
She led the development of the Rapides Parish Children and Youth Planning Board, while also assisting in the development and subsequent work for two consecutive Louisiana Models for Change grants for the parish.
Koch's office served as a resource for recruitment of members, participation in meetings, ongoing consultation and board development initiatives.
As a result, Koch now provides training and consultation to other planning boards around the state, according to Models for Change.
"I have continued outreach with district attorneys, public defenders, religious leaders and juvenile justice advocates, urging each of them to consider varied and collaborative approaches for the treatment of our youth," Koch said.
"I think it's important to have all of these groups working together, actively engaged in the community and contributing to this discussion and dialogue."
For information about the Models for Change Rapides Parish grant, contact project coordinator Karyn Hale at (318) 792-4715 or at khale@lacourts-9th-jdc.org.
- Issues
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Community-based alternatives
, Evidence-based practices
, Juvenile indigent defense
, Mental health
, Right-sizing jurisdiction
- States
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Louisiana