NCJ Number
177951
Journal
Reaching Today's Youth Volume: 3 Issue: 3 Dated: Spring 1999 Pages: 30-33
Date Published
1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Successful partnerships between the Colorado Department of Youth Corrections (DYC), higher education institutions, and a private organization provide educational, mental health, and orientation services to incarcerated youth in Colorado.
Abstract
The Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center is a maximum-security facility for juvenile offenders that provides educational, vocational, and treatment services to young men 12 to 21 years old. About 72 percent of the center's population qualify for special education as either learning disabled or behaviorally-emotionally handicapped, and many residents have significant drug or alcohol problems. The center also houses the DYC's orientation program, a highly structured experience for students prior to long-term placement that lasts 45 to 75 days. The DYC has improved the educational program at the center through collaboration with higher education institutions and a private organization. Efforts have also been made by the DYC to develop partnerships focused on improving mental health and orientation services for young people. Benefits of collaboration are noted that concern increased funding, expanded expertise, and infusion of new ideas. Barriers to collaboration are also considered, such as contrasting goals, insufficient communication, and turf disputes.