NCJ Number
68166
Date Published
1977
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THE STATUS OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES FOR JUVENILES HOUSED IN NEW JERSEY'S SHELTER CARE FACILITIES AND DETENTION CENTERS IS ASSESSED, AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE RECOMMENDED.
Abstract
CURRENT POLICIES OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND CORRECTIONS WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION IN JUVENILES IN NEED OF SUPERVISION (JINS) SHELTERS AND DETENTION CENTERS ARE REVIEWED BRIEFLY, AND AMBIGUITIES REGARDING JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IN THESE FACILITIES ARE NOTED. SPECIAL PROBLEMS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR SHELTER AND DETENTION CENTER RESIDENTS TO ATTEND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THOSE HAVING TO DO WITH PERSONAL TRAITS OF THE CLIENTS, TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS, AND SECURITY. IT IS NOTED THAT THE QUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SHELTER AND DETENTION CENTER RESIDENTS VARIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND IS DEPENDENT ON THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS ALLOCATED IN EACH COUNTY. THE WIDE ARRAY OF FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS IS ALSO NOTED, AS IS THE GENERAL INSUFFICIENCY OF FUNDS FOR PROVIDING ADEQUATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND STAFF. TWO MAIN ISSUES IN PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO SHELTER AND DETENTION CENTER RESIDENTS ARE IDENTIFIED: THE LACK OF A CLEAR MANDATE FOR ESTABLISHING ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS; AND THE NEED TO ESTABLISH FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH PROGRAMS. STEPS IN DEVELOPING LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSES TO THESE ISSUES ARE SUGGESTED, AND EXISTING STATE LEGISLATION ADDRESSING THE ISSUES IS ASSESSED. THE ADVISABILITY OF FOCUSING ON IN-HOUSE EDUCATION FOR DETENTION CENTER RESIDENTS AND SCHOOL-BASED EDUCATION FOR SHELTER RESIDENTS IS DISCUSSED.