A Word From the Director

As summer nears its end and the school year rapidly approaches, the Center is devoting August's Web resources and events to the topic of family involvement in the juvenile justice system. Research has shown that parent and family involvement in the stages of a child's interactions with the juvenile justice system is important for ensuring more positive outcomes for youth. Parents and families usually have greater knowledge about their children than anyone, including emotional and behavioral issues, learning style and abilities, mental health needs, and approaches that have fostered success in school and home in the past. This knowledge can help the courts, delinquent facilities, and correctional educators better meet the needs of system-involved youth. Additionally, "the supportive involvement of family members can reduce anxiety, reinforce treatment, and provide system-involved youth with an advocate" as well as grant families a greater level of influence over what happens to their child once in the system. » more

Do you have your own questions about familiy and parental involvement? Join me for a Tuesday Talk or simply send us an email at NDTAC@air.org.

Other Features

Recent Events

Tuesday Talk
Review information from Co-Director Joyce Burrell's latest monthly Q&A session. » more

NDTAC Webinar: Family Involvement of Students in the Juvenile Justice and Corrections System. » view

See NDTAC's Events Calendar for more information.

Coming Attractions
Stay tuned for September resources related to mentoring programs for youth in the juvenile justice system.

If you experience any problems with the links or appearance of this newsletter, go to the online version. To send comments or suggestions to NDTAC, send an e-mail to NDTAC@air.org.
 

In This Issue

A Word From the Director

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Spotlight: Strategies To Engage Families

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NDTAC Issue Brief: Family Involvement

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Spotlight: Strategies To Engage Families

Involving parents and families can be an ongoing challenge for youth who are neglected and delinquent or at risk and placed outside of their home and community. Guest authors Trina Osher and Barbara Huff discuss practical strategies available for establishing communication and building relationships among the school or facility, students, and family members. » more
 

NDTAC Issue Brief: Family Involvement

Experts have found that family involvement is correlated with successful transition and reduced recidivism. This NDTAC Technical Issue Brief provides the research basis for involving families in the juvenile justice process. » more

Reading List: Literacy

This month's Reading List features articles on family and parental involvement. Short summaries and links to the full text are provided for each article.

• Involving families of youth who are in contact with the juvenile justice system by Osher, T., & Hunt, P. (2002, December).
• “Listening and learning from families in juvenile justice”: A project of the Maryland Coalition for Families for Children’s Mental Health by Walker, J. A., & Friedman, K. (2001, January).
• Parents at the front door in family court and child welfare: Developing parent supports in the juvenile justice system by Lichtenwalter, C., Bolerjack, M., & Edwards, J. A. (1997).
• Getting me on your team: Building partnerships with families by Osher, T. W. (1994, October).
• Family engagement in evaluation: Lessons learned by Slaton, E. (2004).
• Effective family strengthening interventions by Kumpfer, K. L., & Alvardo, R. (1998, November).
• Families and schools together by McDonald, L., & Howard, D. (1998, December).

» View the Reading List

Family Involvement Library

Visit our updated Family Involvement Library Page to view numerous resources, including relevant strategies and models, recent presentations on the topic, and more.