1. Juvenile Delinquency/Family Court Informational Gathering Project UPDATE February 2012 A DMC Initiative of NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Office of Juvenile Justice

2. Detention Providers Presentment Agencies Families Attorneys for the Child Voluntary Agencies State Agencies

3. Purpose of Project: To receive input from parents of youth that have been involved in the juvenile justice system regarding their thoughts, concerns, and experiences with the processing of juvenile delinquency cases within the family court system.

4. Project Staff • NYS DCJS Staff • Courtney Ramirez, DMC Coordinator • Tina Taylor & Katie Nastars, Former • JJ Program Representatives • Master’s Level Student Interns • Chelsea Ruediger Sara Rising Maureen Keller • Youth Advisory Council • Members Gregory Bloomfield Vassiana Prince Syeda Jannat John Daye Talisha Dexter Jordan Ramirez Caitlynne Demmin Joseph Demmin Shane Correia Savoi Marshall Asyria Godley Adam Torres

5. Project Activities

6. Youth Focus Group Sites Communities Represented in Focus Groups Parent Interview/ Focus Group Sites

7. Who we talked to: • Youth • Re-Entry Service Providers • Parents/Caregivers Probation After-care

8. Re: Courts • Parents feel like their time is not valued • No “directions” within courthouse • Shortage of language interpreters • Too many assumptions made by court staff • Generally, “pleased” with judges • “Mixed messages” to youth • “Not impressed” with legal representation

9. Re: Detention • Staff disconnected from system changes • Practice vs. policy issues • Parental concerns about violence and fighting • Visiting • No clock in waiting area • “Correctional Facility” • Kiosks in waiting areas • Personal Property

10. Re: Placement • Distance from home • Visiting issues • “Inconsistent” program availability • School transitions • Violence and fighting

11. Unanticipated “Findings” • Interesting demographics • School Concerns • “New” substance use/abuse issues

12. Academic Achievement

13. School to Prison Pipeline

14. Inappropriate Behaviors Negative School Climate Disconnection from School Unclear Roles & Responsibilities “Blanket” Responses Youth “Flushing” System Involvement

15. Re: Substance Use/Abuse Not just your average drug… Herbal incense, K2, Spice, Whatever you call it- it’s bad news!!! Can buy it practically everywhere… Smoke shops, corner stores, even Amazon.com

16. A narrative report of Phase I • activities will be prepared. • Reports will be presented to • system stakeholders for feedback and input. • Phase 2 of the project will be facilitated by • PJCJC (Focus groups of Family Court judges). • Initial “get ready for court” materials • will be developed for families. • Materials will be field tested • amongst community & system stakeholders. • Necessary revisions will be made to • Materials and a distribution plan will be developed. • Staff will monitor usage of • materials and evaluate overall project impact. Next Steps

18. For more information about this project contact:Courtney E. Ramirez, MSWStatewide DMC CoordinatorNYS Division of Criminal Justice ServicesOffice of Juvenile Justice4 Tower PlaceAlbany, NY 12203(518) 485-9166courtney.ramirez@dcjs.ny.gov