Family Involvement Overview

AGENCY/ORGANIZATION:
Juvenile Corrections

Promoting family involvement of youth with disabilities in juvenile corrections is critical to improving educational outcomes, providing successful transition and reentry into homes and communities, and decreasing recidivism. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents and families of youth with disabilities have the right to participate in decision-making processes for their youth, including families of youth with disabilities in correctional facilities. Families have information about a youth’s strengths and needs that can support correctional personnel with determining the individualized educational, social-behavioral, mental health, and related services that can be put in place to promote youth success. Families also can help expedite records transfers between schools, correctional facilities, and other agencies to ensure that services are provided in a timely and meaningful way. The following are resources specific for family members of youth with disabilities in correctional facilities, as well as resources for correctional facility administrators and providers to support their efforts to involve families.

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