Recruitment, Re-engagement & Re-entry:
Incorporating Youth Voice Into Juvenile Justice Reform
STARCIA AGUE
JUVENILE JUSTICE REHABILITATION ADMINISTRATION
•
Spent 5 1/2 years confined within the juvenile justice
system
•
Obtained Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice from
Washington State University
•
CJJ Spirit of Youth Award Recipient 2009
•
Champion for Change Award Recipient 2012
http://www.modelsforchange.net/newsroom/561
•
Crosscut Courage Award Winner for Public Service 2013
http://crosscut.com/2013/10/31/courage-awards/117204/starcia-ague-winnercourage-award-public-service/
•
Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice
(WA-PCJJ) member & co-chair of the Youth Committee
For more information visit: www.Starciaague.Org
Front page of website has recently released documentary
YOUTH AND FAMILY ADVOCACY
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
DEBRA BAKER
RAISING OUR YOUTH AS LEADERS
•
Employed in the field of criminal law since 1985 and
has worked with adult and youth offenders for over 20
years. Debra’s work has created case law.
•
Debra holds a Masters of Theology. She also holds a
degree in Business Management – Columbia
University.
•
Certified Criminal Justice Specialist by the National
Association of Forensic Counselors.
•
Featured in a number of news articles. Debra &
ROYAL provides trainings locally and nationally.
•
The ROYAL Project is admired and endorsed by
national celebrities and professors. Interest in the
model is increasing nationally.
For more information visit: http://www.theroyalproject.com/
PROJECT DIRECTOR
RECRUITING AND ENGAGING YOUTH
IN JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM
IN THIS PRESENTATION WE WILL DISCUSS
BENEFITS
STEPS TO ENGAGE
WHY IT IS
IMPORTANT
CHALLENGES
WASHINGTON STATE PARTNERSHIP
COUNCIL ON JUVENILE JUSTICE (WA-PCJJ)
• The council’s membership is comprised of legislators, judges, prosecutors,
defenders and private/non-profit leaders who have extensive experience and
knowledge in juvenile justice and are able to affect or influence system
reform.
• The membership includes youth representation to ensure the youth voice is
heard and acted on in the reform effort.
WA-PCJJ YOUTH COMMITTEE
• The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice Youth
Committee is made up of 3-5 youth from each facilities' united youth council
who have successfully completed the selective process.
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF WA-PCJJ
Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders
(DSO): Eliminating or preventing the
placement of non-offending youth such as a
dependent or neglected child and status
offenders such as a runaway or truant in
secure facilities.
Sight and Sound Separation:
Ensuring complete sound and sight
separation of juveniles from adult offenders in
secure facilities such as adult jails and lock
ups.
Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC):
Addressing juvenile delinquency prevention
and system improvement efforts designed to
reduce the disproportionate number of
juvenile members of minority groups who
come into contact with the juvenile justice
system.
and UYC?
The membership includes
youth representation to
ensure the youth voice is
heard and acted on in the
reform effort.
ENGAGING YOUTH FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM THROUGH
U.Y.C
UNITED YOUTH COUNCIL
UNITING YOUTH FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE
WHAT IS YOUTH
VOICE?
• Washington State Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) is using youth voice as a way to
gain the youth’s perspective on what’s working and what’s not working regarding
their juvenile justice experience, as well as input on treatment processes and
outcomes for rehabilitation; current and future policies; and process re-design.
• Youth voice is the knowledge, ideas, concerns and opinions of youth specifically
in regards to improving the juvenile justice system.
WHAT IS UNITED
YOUTH COUNCIL?
• The united youth council (U.Y.C.) is the mechanism in which youth voice can be
utilized throughout out the juvenile justice system. There is a united youth council
at the three main facilities in Washington. (Green Hill, Echo Glen & Naselle.)
Each united youth council is made up of youth who have successfully completed
the application process. A select few of the united youth council participants
make up WA-PCJJ youth committee members.
WHY IS ENGAGING YOUTH IN JUVENILE
JUSTICE REFORM IMPORTANT?
• When given the opportunity, youth can be very influential advocates in juvenile
justice reform.
• Youth who share their personal experience within the juvenile justice system
enlighten others on what is working and what needs improvement.
• Holds the juvenile justice system accountable.
• The principles of positive youth development, which are increasingly accepted
as the basis for effective youth-serving programs, state that it is crucial to help a
young person feel connected to and responsible for their community’s wellbeing.
“Youth Voice means a lot to me. It means that I can tell my side of the story, and that I can stand up for those who can’t.
Being a part of Youth Voice gives me hope for a better future, not only for myself but for future generations. Experiences
working with people in a professional setting, responsibility, working as a team and being confident are a few of the traits
that Youth Voice offers. I know now that I don’t have to just sit down and wait for change to happen. I can stand and
speak up. I can contribute to the change.”
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
INCREASE IN CONFIDENCE
RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
DECISION MAKING SKILLS
YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
STEREOTYPE BREAKING
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
SYSTEM REFORM
SOCIAL SKILLS
http://www.teachwithtvw.org/modules.php
Engaging youth enables them to obtain important skills,
including critical thinking, decision making, consensus
and team building. For disenfranchised and justice
system involved youth, coordinated events, structured
activities, and service learning opportunities offer them
a place to build community and a pro-social way to be
agents of social change.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?
SELECTING THE YOUTH
SCHEDULING RESTRICTIONS
FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS
TRANSPORTATION
LONG TERM ENGAGEMENT
AND PARTICIPATION
REENTRY (HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT,
EDUCATION, BASIC NEEDS)
SYSTEMS WORKING TOGETHER
EMPLOYING COMPASSIONATE WORKERS
TO WORK WITH THE YOUTH
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM
Create opportunities for youth to be heard
Youth panels, speaking events, etc.
Review policies
Civic engagement
Engage youth in important discussions and incorporate
feedback
Administer resources, information and materials to
prepare, inform and engage youth
Have a consistent schedule for meetings
Compensate youth
Provide youth with meaningful incentives
THROUGH
STEPS TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN
YOUTH
VOICE
EXAMPLES OF UYC PROJECTS
• U.Y.C LOGO
• U.Y.C MATERIALS-APPLICATIONS,
WELCOME PACKET, FLYERS
• DMC INFOGRAPHIC
• WASHINGTON STATE JUVENILE
RECORDS INFOGRAPHIC
• P.R.E.A INFORMATIONAL COMIC
• YOUTH AUTOBIOGRAPHIES
• EDUCATIONAL VIDEO
All Materials Were
Made By the Youth,
For the Youth
EXAMPLES OF UYC
PROJECTS
http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-washingtonstop-the-sale-and-distribution-of-juvenile-criminalrecords
Youth
Autobiographies
Educational
Video
MEANWHILE
The Lasting Impact of
Juvenile Records in
Washington State
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuO3JC-B5UQ
5 Minute preview …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLA7CdiLid8
RAISING OUR YOUTH AS LEADERS
• Vision: ROYAL is an industry leader in creating worldclass programs that help young people discover their
genius. The programs are relevant, proven, and
effective.
• ROYAL is an evaluated and “Promising Practice” model that holds a
87.8% success rate at transitioning youth out of the criminal justice
system. ROYAL confronts the issue of mass incarceration.
• These young people (our future leaders) accomplish their personal,
professional, and educational goals toward success and self-sufficiency.
They become socially conscious and progress to become strong
contributing members of society.
ROYAL SERVICES
ROYAL Programs (youth ages 13-18):
• Life Coaching/Mentorship – Certified
Coaches
• Case Strategizing – Certified Case
Strategists
• Young Gent’s Society (boys group)
• Girlz – Gems & Jewels (girls group)
• Unchained Genius-Youth Leadership
Academy – Collaboration with Antioch
University, Seattle, WA
• Life Is Your Business
• Design Engineering
YOUTH SERVICE LEARNING
Definition of Youth Voice: Youth
voice speaks to the involvement,
ideas, thinking and opinions of youth.
Service-learning is allowing youth to
be stakeholders and contributors in
various aspects of juvenile justice
work. It is incorporating the input of
youth in the decision-making points of
organizations, initiatives, programs,
conversations, and planning.
AREAS FOR YOUTH VOICE
• Board membership
• Youth as Trainers
• Program design/implementation • Youth Advisory Councils
• Agency artwork
• Youth as Funders
• Performance feedback
• Fundraisers
• Webinars
• Speaking engagements
• Working with other youth
• Focus groups
• Crafting legislation
• System work (change)
YOUTH AS MENTORS
A GOOD IDEA/GREAT IDEA
Analysis/Assessment
ORGANIZATION READINESS
• It is recommended the
organization/program have at least
3 years experience working with
youth.
• It is recommended the
organization/program have an
established mission/vision.
• The organization/program should
have capacity for training,
mentoring, & supporting the young
person.
• Other
HONORING YOUTH VOICE
1.
Have clear & appropriate reasons for incorporating youth voice
2.
Provide training and mentorship for the young person
3.
Always provide compensation and/or list of take-aways
4.
Be clear on the talent and limitations of the young person
5.
Set clear boundaries - limit their assignment (speaker to explain)
6.
Be aware of your boundaries –working with youth over 18 – meet in office and
professional settings, etc.
7.
Celebrate the accomplishment or the mistake(s) – put healthy perspective
around the young ego
YOU ARE THE
MENTOR/EDUCATOR
HELPFUL TIPS
Maintain a clear system
of accountability
Create meaningful opportunities
Keep all agreements/commitments
Be honest
Have a clear start dates
and end dates
Don’t invite youth involvement
then dominate the process
or ignore their input
EXAMPLES OF YOUTH VOICE
The following are excerpts
of a power point
presentation designed by
ROYAL youth participants
© 2013 Raising Our Youth As Leaders
Powerpoint by: T.G. & A. M.
How Can Adults Help Stop Racism?
1.
I believe adults can help stop racism by first
recognizing that it’s still going on. Once they
realize that, they’ve already stepped into victory
lane.
2.
Then, they’ll be able to reach out to students or
their children by observing how it could be going
on and to what extent/level it’s affecting us as
the youth.
3.
Parents can start by visiting their child/teen’s
classrooms and seeing what exactly goes on
behind closed doors.
4.
Teachers can do so by reaching out to the
students, by recommending a change in
classroom settings or coming up with a plan with
the administration.
Youth Voice: T.G.
© 2013 Raising Our Youth As Leaders
What Would It Take to End Racism in Schools?
I think what would need to happen to end racism in
schools is:
1.
The school district needs to pay more attention to
the school officials and the teachers that they are
hiring.
2.
The teachers lack compassion and it seems they
don’t care about students’ future. They no longer
choose to go the extra step to help their children.
That’s for the school officials as well. As a
personal experience, they will lie on you and will
label you so fast as being a “youth at risk”. We
want our teachers to ENGAGE with us and show
they CARE.
Youth Voice: A.M.
© 2013 Raising Our Youth As Leaders
Contact Us
For More Information Contact:
Starcia Ague
Youth and Family Advocate Program Administrator
Juvenile Justice Rehabilitation Administration
(360) 486-2241, aguesm@dshs.wa.gov
Debra Baker
Project Director
The Raising Our Youth as Leaders Project
206-322-8400 ext. 3196, debra.baker@scraplaw.org
Note: ROYAL does replicate its services and programs
Alexandra Staropoli
Associate Director, Government and Field Relations
Coalition for Juvenile Justice
202-467-0864, ext. 109, staropoli@juvjustice.org