NCJ Number
239877
Date Published
June 2010
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This guide - which is intended to benefit the professional juvenile justice advocate working for systemic administrative and legislative reform - addresses some of the challenges that prevent effective partnerships with juveniles' families.
Abstract
A survey of National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) member organizations indicates that 80 percent are or have partnered with families and 69 percent view it as a top priority. Organizations incorporate families into strategy and policy development, media activities, organizing, legislative education, and administrator training. Groups that do not partner with families cite two primary reasons: their inability to find families willing and able to become involved in reform efforts, and the lack of resources (time and money) to support an effective partnership. In addressing these issues, this guide proposes strategies for finding family members who are interested in advocacy for juvenile justice reform. Suggestions are to listen to the families that reach out to reformers for help; recruit families who visit their children in institutions; partner with groups that provide direct services and/or support to families; and use a family member to reach out to other families. A case study shows how one community recruited families outside of youth prisons to become involved in a campaign to improve conditions within youth prisons, reduce prison size, and eventually close youth correctional facilities. This guide also develops recommendations for assisting families in moving from individual to systems advocacy, followed by a case study of the development of family expertise. It also provides a case study on how Louisiana provides training for families at yearly conferences. Guidance and a case study are also presented on how to address the challenges of legislative timing and compromise. This is followed by an outline of ways to incorporate family goals in the development of an advocacy agenda. 3 notes