1. Juvenile Delinquency/Family Court Informational Gathering Project UPDATE February 2012 A DMC Initiative of NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Office of Juvenile Justice

2. Presentment Agencies Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Youth Law EnforcementCourtsSchools Local Probation Community-Based Organizations & Service Providers Detention Providers Families Attorneys for the Child Voluntary Agencies State Agencies

3. Purpose of Project: To receive input from parents of youth that have been involved in the juvenile justice system regarding their thoughts, concerns, and experiences with the processing of juvenile delinquency cases within the family court system.

4. Project Staff NYS DCJS Staff Courtney Ramirez, DMC Coordinator Tina Taylor & Katie Nastars, Former JJ Program Representatives Master’s Level Student Interns Chelsea Ruediger Sara Rising Maureen Keller Youth Advisory Council Members Gregory BloomfieldVassiana Prince Syeda JannatJohn Daye Talisha DexterJordan Ramirez Caitlynne Demmin Joseph Demmin Shane CorreiaSavoi Marshall Asyria GodleyAdam Torres

5. Parent/Caregiver Focus Groups Community-based Interviews Interviews with System Stakeholders Youth Focus Groups Family Court Observations Project Activities

6. Youth Focus Group Sites Communities Represented in Focus Groups Parent Interview/ Focus Group Sites

7. Who we talked to: Arrest Youth Adult Community Members Detention Facility Staff ATD Service Providers Parents/Caregivers Courts Youth Parents/Caregivers Judges Court Staff ProbationAfter-care Youth Re-Entry Service Providers Parents/Caregivers

8. Re: Courts Parents feel like their time is not valued No “directions” within courthouse Shortage of language interpreters Too many assumptions made by court staff Generally, “pleased” with judges “Mixed messages” to youth “Not impressed” with legal representation

9. Re: Detention Staff disconnected from system changes Practice vs. policy issues Parental concerns about violence and fighting Visiting No clock in waiting area “Correctional Facility” Kiosks in waiting areas Personal Property

10. Re: Placement Distance from home Visiting issues “Inconsistent” program availability School transitions Violence and fighting

11. Unanticipated “Findings” Interesting demographics School Concerns “New” substance use/abuse issues

12. School Discipline Policies Academic Achievement

13. School to Prison Pipeline Youth (inappropriate behavior) School-Based Arrest Incarceration

14. System Involvement Youth “Flushing” Youth “Flushing” Disconnection from School Inappropriate Behaviors Unclear Roles & Responsibilities “Blanket” Responses Negative School Climate

15. Re: Substance Use/Abuse Not just your average drug… Herbal incense, K2, Spice, Whatever you call it- it’s bad news!!! Can buy it practically everywhere… Smoke shops, corner stores, even Amazon.com

16. Next Steps A narrative report of Phase I activities will be prepared. Reports will be presented to system stakeholders for feedback and input. Phase 2 of the project will be facilitated by PJCJC (Focus groups of Family Court judges). Initial “get ready for court” materials will be developed for families. Materials will be field tested amongst community & system stakeholders. Necessary revisions will be made to Materials and a distribution plan will be developed. Staff will monitor usage of materials and evaluate overall project impact.

17. Policy Reform System Stakeholders Changing Practice Standards Community Education and Awareness Youth & Family Interventions and Advocacy

18. For more information about this project contact: Courtney E. Ramirez, MSW Statewide DMC Coordinator NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Office of Juvenile Justice 4 Tower Place Albany, NY 12203 (518) 485-9166 courtney.ramirez@dcjs.ny.gov courtney.ramirez@dcjs.ny.gov