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Building on Family Strengths for Better Outcomes: Involving more families, more often, for more youth

Source: Vera Institute of Justice

Resource Type: Documents and Publications

Focus Population: Family Members, People with Juvenile Justice System Involvement

Topics: Criminal or Juvenile Justice System, Family

The Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) worked with the DOC on an intensive family engagement initiative that was driven by staff and centered by the voices of youth and families. In short, the goal of the project was to involve more families, more often, for more youth. Most juvenile corrections approaches often focus on deficits—and typically view youth and families as problems, rather than a source for solutions. Shifting this culture to a strengths-based and family-focused approach is a significant effort that requires changes in policy, procedure, practice, and staff training at each program.