Jamie Hooper, MS, CRC Michael Rolerat, MS, CRC Larry Fields, MS Thinking & Moving Outside the Box for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System Jamie Hooper, MS, CRC Michael Rolerat, MS, CRC Larry Fields, MS This template can be used as a starter file for a photo album.

State Partners Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Gordon Cooper Technology Center (GCTC) Norman Public Schools (NPS) Department of Human Services (DHS) Oklahoma Works OCCY provides oversight, planning, coordination, technical assistance, and staff support. OJA provides office space, access to staff and records, coordination, and financial support and charter school within the facility. DRS provides full-time VR counselors, financial support, equipment and supplies, staff support, oversight, and technical assistance. GCTC acts as fiscal agent for paid work and innovative training ideas inside and outside the fence. (COJC Only) NPS provides educational training at the facility.

Purpose of the Project/Partnerships Create steering committee/partners to help identify barriers and make recommendations for youth in custody. S0 transition services could be provided early to ultimately affect positive outcomes for youth.

OJA Treatment Centers & Level E Group Homes Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center (SWOJC) Cedar Canyon Scissor Tail Thunder Ridge Cornerstone Lighthouse Keystone Red River Promise Program

Goal: To Increase youth opportunity for successful transition out of custody and into adulthood.

Facilities have the capacity to serve a range of 120-150 youth. Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) Southwest Oklahoma Juvenile Center (SWOJC) COJC SWOJC Facilities have the capacity to serve a range of 120-150 youth.

Youth at each medium secure facilities complete a program that is measured by the different color t-shirts they wear at the facility. First level-Orange (Orientation) Second Level-Gray (Awareness) Third Level-Green (Practice) Fourth Level-Red (Leadership) Fifth Level-Blue (Community) Alternative Disciplinary Level- Purple (Adjustment)

Role of DRS Vocational Counselor Provide services while in placement (e.g., vocational evaluations, counseling and guidance, job readiness skills, advocacy, paid work experiences). Provide feedback to the State team on barriers and systemic issues, and make recommendations to improve. Maintain the case even upon release and provide additional services in community.

Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) Services/Activities Attending Court Hearings-Especially exit hearings to meet with family. Vocational Testing/Counsel with youth on treatment program progress. Attend Juvenile Facility Grand Staffing to discuss progress of a youth. Participate in committees which may address Independent Living and Work Programs.

Vocational Rehabilitation(VR) Services/Activities Facilitate information between community and facility on issues such as housing, employment, and transfer of educational records. Contact educational, housing, and other resources in youth’s home community to help with the transitioning back into community after release. Meet with clients about questions about exiting out of the system, job readiness, discussing the VR Process, and completing initial applications. Increase the provision of direct services to youth most at- risk.

Common Disabilities/DSM Diagnoses Conduct Disorder Oppositional Defiant Disorder Alcohol Abuse and Dependency Cannabis Abuse and Dependency Poly-substance Abuse and Dependency Reactive Attachment Disorder, Inhibitive and Dis-inhibitive Types Reading, Writing, and Math Learning Disability Depression or other mood disorders

Systemic Challenges Birth certificates State IDs; Driver’s Licenses Checks issued to youth upon release Independent Living for youth 17 and under Transportation Healthy connections/relationships Helping dually adjudicated youth establish placement stability Absentee parents/guardians in treatment process Youth returning to pre-arrest homes/neighborhoods Uncertainty of youth after release from detention (unpredictable)

Other Challenges Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Dependency Issues. Education difficulty, High School Dropouts. Very few have GED or HS Diploma. High Frequency of IQ scores below 85 range (i.e., Low, Low Average). Problematic issues with home environment, gang history, or no family/parental support. No work history/job seeking skills. Maintaining employment

School to Work Program Started Fall, 2012 at COJC. DRS clients at the “Leadership” Level or higher can work up to 20 hours per week. $7.25 per hour Kitchen, grounds and maintenance, canteen

Innovative Thinking CareerTech Training Short-term trainings/certifications CPR, First Aid/Food Handler’s Permit Long-term Shadowing at CareerTech Evening classes outside the fence Develop more programs behind the fence

What is ahead for the Oklahoma COJC/SWOJC/NPS Program? Tracking the COJC/DRS youth who are released and seeing how they transition into training, careers, etc. Creating awareness of program at conferences, meetings, webinars, and teleconferences. Part of HBO documentary which follows the lives of the youth, transitioning back to communities, legal system, and investigates their family background. COJC work committee is developing for each youth a portfolio to keep documents needed upon release for work and independence. This was identified as a need through the self- study. We want to reduce recidivism and achieve long-term success.

Success Stories Youth who previously released and failed probation in earlier placements staying compliant. Referred Foster Youth and residents to independent living. Other agencies are now coming to facilities to visit with youth about post-release planning. Youth in independent living and attending CareerTech, working, etc. Youth getting connected to training.

Factors which are affecting post- release success with OJA youth. Most critical time (up to this point) is first 5-6 weeks of freedom. Need for peer mentoring. Lack of contact with youth with support team. Keeping in regular contact with DRS, OJA, or courts during their probation. Is the youth going back to the home environment and old friends? Completion of their treatment program at COJC/SWOJC. Post-release attitude of OJA youth towards being freed, authority, structure, job search motivation, and work ethic.

Ongoing concerns with released DRS/OJA Clients: “I want to be me!” vs. Supervised/Monitored Living Environments. Beginning of the committing of adult crimes while being released. Lack of following rules in the Independent Living Placements. Violation of ankle monitor tracking. Negative peer relationships.

What makes it work? Vision Passion and Commitment Supportive leadership Partners Ongoing communication Shared funding and resources Shared responsibility and shared recognition Trust, respect Stability even under new administration