Recruitment, Re-engagement & Re-entry:

Incorporating Youth Voice Into Juvenile Justice Reform

STARCIA

AGUE

YOUTH AND FAMILY ADVOCACY

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORJUVENILE 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-winner-courage-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.OrgFront page of website has recently released documentary

DEBRA BAKER

PROJECT DIRECTOR

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/

RECRUITING AND ENGAGING YOUTHIN JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM

BENEFITS CHALLENGESIN THIS PRESENTATION WE WILL DISCUSS

WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

STEPS TO ENGAGE

WA-PCJJ YOUTH COMMITTEE

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.

• 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 and UYC?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.

The membership includes youth representation to

ensure the youth voice is heard and acted on in the

reform effort.

U.Y.C

UNITED YOUTH COUNCILUNITING YOUTH FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE

ENGAGING YOUTH FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM THROUGH

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 well-being.

“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?

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.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

INCREASE IN CONFIDENCE

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING

STEREOTYPE BREAKING

SOCIAL SKILLS

DECISION MAKING SKILLS

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

SYSTEM REFORM

http://www.teachwithtvw.org/modules.php

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?

SELECTING THE YOUTH

LONG TERM ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION

TRANSPORTATION

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS

SCHEDULING RESTRICTIONS

REENTRY (HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, BASIC NEEDS)

SYSTEMS WORKING TOGETHER

EMPLOYING COMPASSIONATE WORKERS TO WORK WITH THE YOUTH

STEPS TO ENGAGE YOUTH INJUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM

THRO

UG

H YOUTH VOICE

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

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-washington-stop-the-sale-and-distribution-of-juvenile-criminal-records

Youth Autobiographies

EducationalVideo

MEANWHILEThe 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 world-class 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

• Program design/implementation

• Agency artwork

• Performance feedback

• Webinars

• Working with other youth

• Crafting legislation

• Youth as Trainers

• Youth Advisory Councils

• Youth as Funders

• Fundraisers

• Speaking engagements

• Focus groups

• 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

Have a clear start dates and end dates

Maintain a clear system of accountability

Create meaningful opportunities

Don’t invite youth involvement then dominate the process

or ignore their input

Keep all agreements/commitments

Be honest

EXAMPLES OF YOUTH VOICE

The following are excerpts of a power point

presentation designed by ROYAL youth participants

“Having Our Say,

Let Us Help You Out

Of

This Mess.”

Powerpoint by: T.G. & A. M.© 2013 Raising Our Youth As Leaders

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 AgueYouth and Family Advocate Program AdministratorJuvenile Justice Rehabilitation Administration(360) 486-2241, aguesm@dshs.wa.gov

Debra BakerProject DirectorThe Raising Our Youth as Leaders Project206-322-8400 ext. 3196, debra.baker@scraplaw.org Note: ROYAL does replicate its services and programs

Alexandra StaropoliAssociate Director, Government and Field RelationsCoalition for Juvenile Justice202-467-0864, ext. 109, staropoli@juvjustice.org