This guide is designed to assist professionals in the "workforce development system" (national, State, and local organizations that assist individuals in obtaining education, training, and job placement) in gaining a better understanding of the needs of youth involved in, or at risk of being involved, in the juvenile corrections system.
The first chapter provides an overview of data on youth involved in the juvenile corrections system. It notes an overrepresentation of youth with disabilities. The subsequent chapter describes the juvenile corrections system, the factors that put youth with disabilities at a disadvantage at each stage of case processing, and the key decisionmakers whose understanding of youth disabilities can have a significant impact on youths' experience in the system. The third chapter presents a framework for assisting organizations that should be involved in addressing the needs and improving the transition outcomes for youth who have been in the juvenile corrections system. The "guideposts" identified and discussed as the keys for a successful transition are school-based preparatory experiences, career preparation and work-based experiences, youth development and leadership opportunities, connecting activities (support and community services), and family involvement and supports. The fourth chapter highlights promising practices and strategies for working with youth involved in the juvenile corrections system, so as to reduce recidivism and improve other transition outcomes. The fifth chapter presents a set of policy issues that must be addressed by policymakers, institutions, and organizations at the national, State, and local levels in order to improve the transition outcomes of youth in the juvenile corrections system. Included is a summary of issues related to expanding promising practices, system collaboration, professional development, and research and evaluation. 256 notes and appended annotated resources by "guidepost" area