Sponsored by School Site Professional Development Workshop Prepared by Educational Needs of Delinquent Youth

Guiding 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 Needs A chance to change Despite past mistakes Connection to community resources Various 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 change Despite past mistakes Connection to community resources Various 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 Outcomes When compared with non-offenders Higher dropout rate Higher rates of grade retention Higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse Far less likely to aspire to attend college When compared with non-offenders Higher dropout rate Higher rates of grade retention Higher rates of drug and alcohol abuse Far less likely to aspire to attend college

Problems after Adjudication Trouble fitting back in Negative peer pressure Apprehensive school personnel A criminal record that can affect: Employment Credit Housing Trouble fitting back in Negative peer pressure Apprehensive 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.” -Formerly Incarcerated Youth

Working With Youth What works? Encouragement To keep moving beyond youthful mistakes Supportiveness Educational support Emotional support Guidance Show juvenile attainable choices Forgiveness We all need it from time to time Encouragement To keep moving beyond youthful mistakes Supportiveness Educational support Emotional support Guidance Show juvenile attainable choices Forgiveness We 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 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.

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