Stakeholders' Perspectives of Reentry to School and Community for Young Offenders With Disabilities: An Ecological Approach. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Unruh, Deanne; Waintrup, Miriam; Alverson, Charlotte; Erickson, MaryJo; MaGee, Caroline
• Other Names: Griller-Clark Heather guest-editor.; Mathur Sarup guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Behavioral disorders. Volume 46:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 186
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: juvenile justice -- students with disabilities -- transition-to-adulthood -- young offenders -- interagency collaboration; Behavior disorders in children -- Periodicals; Child Behavior Disorders; Comportement, Troubles du, chez l'enfant -- Périodiques; Behavior disorders in children; Trouble du comportement; Trouble affectif; Jeune; Periodicals; Periodicals; 618.9289005
• DOI: 10.1177/0198742919891414
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0198-7429

Abstract

Reentry services for young offenders need to be youth-focused and inclusive of the multiple entities that support a youth's return to the community. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding from stakeholders' perspectives, based on experience, to identify challenges and facilitators to support young offenders' reengagement in school and successful return to their community postincarceration. Fifty-four qualitative interviews of key stakeholders involved in the reentry process were conducted across 4 years of a young offender with disabilities' reentry program in the Northwest. Stakeholders included youth, parents, school personnel, parole/probation officers, and other community agency personnel. An ecological framework coding scheme was used to qualitatively analyze the interviews. Findings validate the importance a key adult/mentor (i.e., transition specialist) plays in a youth's school engagement. In addition, developing strong working relationships within and across schools, juvenile services, and other key agency personnel was supportive of a young offender's reentry process.