Sponsored by

School SiteProfessional Development

Workshop

Prepared by

Educational Needs of

Delinquent Youth

Guiding QuoteGuiding Quote

“The successful reintroduction of juvenile offenders from correctional facilities into…communities…is fraught with challenges. It is, however, an essential process in which schools play a key role…the transition that a juvenile offender makes from secure confinement to school will likely shape the youth’s transition to the community.”

- From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse: Making Successful Transitions

“The successful reintroduction of juvenile offenders from correctional facilities into…communities…is fraught with challenges. It is, however, an essential process in which schools play a key role…the transition that a juvenile offender makes from secure confinement to school will likely shape the youth’s transition to the community.”

- From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse: Making Successful Transitions

Perception

What is YOURS?

Juvenile offenders deserve no specialized support

Being caught up in the system is their own fault

Why help? It won’t change anything

These kids can’t learn

Expressed Youth NeedsExpressed Youth Needs

A chance to changeDespite past mistakes

Connection to community resourcesVarious types of counseling

Help for their families Attainable employment Confidentiality

Many times school staff that know about the juvenile’s arrest have difficulty seeing beyond that mistake

A chance to changeDespite past mistakes

Connection to community resourcesVarious types of counseling

Help for their families Attainable employment Confidentiality

Many times school staff that know about the juvenile’s arrest have difficulty seeing beyond that mistake

Negative OutcomesNegative Outcomes

When compared with non-offendersHigher dropout rateHigher rates of grade retentionHigher rates of drug and alcohol abuseFar less likely to aspire to attend college

When compared with non-offendersHigher dropout rateHigher rates of grade retentionHigher rates of drug and alcohol abuseFar less likely to aspire to attend college

Problems after AdjudicationProblems after Adjudication

Trouble fitting back inNegative peer pressureApprehensive school personnel A criminal record that can affect:

Employment Credit Housing

Trouble fitting back inNegative peer pressureApprehensive school personnel A criminal record that can affect:

Employment Credit Housing

Real Lives

“Stress and temptation almost got me locked up again. It was stressful dealing with aftercare workers who would ship me in a heartbeat, and trying to stay straight in a neighborhood where marijuana was everywhere. Many of us give in to temptation. Then BANG! We get locked up.”

“Stress and temptation almost got me locked up again. It was stressful dealing with aftercare workers who would ship me in a heartbeat, and trying to stay straight in a neighborhood where marijuana was everywhere. Many of us give in to temptation. Then BANG! We get locked up.”

-Formerly Incarcerated Youth

Working With YouthWorking With Youth

What works?What works? Encouragement

To keep moving beyond youthful mistakes Supportiveness

Educational supportEmotional support

GuidanceShow juvenile attainable choices

ForgivenessWe all need it from time to time

EncouragementTo keep moving beyond youthful mistakes

SupportivenessEducational supportEmotional support

GuidanceShow juvenile attainable choices

ForgivenessWe all need it from time to time

• Recognize

Challenges the student faces upon return to school

• Connect

Student to appropriate resources

• Tailor

Support to fit the needs of the student

• Communicate

With appropriate school staff and student’s family

• Empathize

Feel the frustration the student has to endure

• Mediate

Between student, school, and community organizations

• Disseminate

Information the student needs to succeed

Summary: Major JCC Duties

Importance of School Staff

Importance of School Staff

YOU may be the missing piece these children need to succeed.

Evidence shows that poor transition to school equals higher recidivism.

YOU may be the missing piece these children need to succeed.

Evidence shows that poor transition to school equals higher recidivism.

http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Education/scholarshipfund.html

The scholarship was established to assist delinquent youth pay for the costs of post-secondary education. It is administered by the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation. The scholarships are awarded annually in March during Juvenile Justice Week (please see fact sheet or the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s web site for details).

Bill Bankhead Scholarship