An area of increasing concern in the juvenile justice community is how to involve families throughout the process when youth are incarcerated. The National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk (NDTAC) recently asked members of the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators (CJCA) to tell us about family involvement practices for youth in care in their States. We received several responses from the field, including areas of opportunity for involvement as well as current successful practices. The following information illustrates activities in three States, with practical strategies for facilitating family participation in the juvenile justice system.

Arizona is currently implementing the Families of Incarcerated Youth program in an effort to address family functioning, recidivism, and community safety. In fall 2004, family liaison positions were established at all four secure care facilities to establish a link between juvenile justice youth and their families and to support families’ ongoing involvement with youth throughout their stay. Special Family Days also have been organized to encourage family members to visit and participate in special activities aimed at maintaining and strengthening family ties. Monthly newsletters are mailed to all families of youth in care to keep them informed of youth activities and the events in the facility, and family orientation meetings are held each month for new families to introduce them to the program and to stress the importance of their involvement. To facilitate maximum participation in these meetings, transportation is provided for all family members in need through a contract with the State.

In Maryland, family members of students with disabilities in the juvenile justice system are encouraged to participate in all Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and activities. When family members are not able or willing to participate, surrogate parents (community volunteers) are assigned to a youth’s case. Department of Juvenile Services’ (DJS) schools also contact family members to obtain information about a youth’s past academic and behavioral performance, as well as special education services he or she may have received. Maryland also ensures that family members and guardians are included in the youth’s interagency Transition Team, which helps facilitate transition for youth from residential care to the appropriate placement upon release. Lastly, the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center houses the Community and Family Resource Center—a joint project between DJS and local community groups—which provides support groups, information, and links to community-based services for families of youth in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

North Carolina has implemented the Jackson Project, which involves family members in every stage of the process for youth in care within the juvenile justice system. For example, meetings concerning the program or services provided to a youth cannot occur without a family member present. In this State, family members are considered integral members of the youth’s team, and the team must come to consensus on a decision before it is made on behalf of a youth. Meetings are scheduled at times convenient for the family, and transportation is provided. Monthly support groups for parents and guardians are held on topics such as discipline and strategies for promoting healthy family relationships. Additionally, facilities allow family visitation 7 days a week and offer transportation, as needed.

Research shows family involvement may reduce recidivism and increase functioning upon transition. (See NDTAC’s Technical Issue Brief on family involvement for more information.) However, experience in the field shows that involving families in the process is not an easy or straightforward undertaking. Arizona, Maryland, and North Carolina demonstrate, through their youth and family involvement programs, that involving families in the lives of incarcerated youth is not only beneficial, but indeed possible.

For more information on the States featured in this article, please see NDTAC's State pages.

Note

NDTAC recognizes that the strategies noted in this article are in no way extensive or exhaustive. If your State has implemented or is starting new and creative strategies to involve families, please let us know so we may disseminate your ideas to others in the field. You may send your information to ndtac@air.org.

Published November 2006

In the Spotlight
» Working With Families of Children in Juvenile Justice and Corrections Systems: A Guide for Education Program Leaders, Principals, and Building Administrators

» NDTAC Technical Issue Brief: Family Involvement

» Strategies To Engage Families

Reading List
» Summaries of articles relevant to family and parental involvement

Events

» Webinar on the Family Involvement Guidebook. more »

Additional Resources

» Visit our Family Involvement Library Page to view additional resources on family involvement, including relevant strategies and models, presentations on the topic, and more.

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