Intervention Principles and Practice Guidelines for - Underage ...

The basic reality is that family members often have responsibilities toward each other, and most
families continue to demonstrate their loyalty even during tough times. Individuals involved in
the juvenile or criminal justice system often appear in court with someone. People attending drug
treatment can almost always name a loved one who is willing to provide support. Finding ways to
activate and leverage that mutual loyalty and support, and reminding individuals involved in the justice
system that their actions affect other members of their network, can motivate and facilitate change
(Mullins & Toner, 2008).
The Family Support Approach for Community Supervision, as developed by Family Justice and in
partnership with the American Probation and Parole Association, provides a framework and tools (see
Exhibit V-o) that community corrections professionals can use to engage families and social networks
by helping a youth or young adult identify and leverage the support of their families and social
networks to help them meet their community supervision (or diversion) goals and objectives (Mullins
& Toner, 2008). In the context of the Family Support Approach, family is broadly defined. It includes,
but is not limited to, blood relations. It also encompasses the network of people who are significant
in an individual’s life (e.g., positive peers, roommates, teachers, coaches, neighbors, work associates,
counselors, religious leaders, 12-step sponsors, workers at a youth service organization).
One way the families and social networks can be called upon to help is by monitoring and
supervising the behavior of youth. The amount of time that community supervision professionals
spend with youth or young people under supervision is fairly limited, when compared to the amount
of time that these young people spend with their families and social networks of support. Therefore,
these individuals are in a unique position to provide support that a government entity cannot. They
can also take note of warning signs that the youth may be engaging in activities contrary to his or her
supervision conditions or program requirements that could ultimately lead to a violation or revocation
if not addressed promptly.
For example, parents or legal guardians or other supportive adults of youth under the age of 18 can
and should participate in monitoring and supervising the behavior of youth including such practices as
(Bonnie & O’Connell, 2004):
• Knowing the youth’s friends.
• Making sure youth are always supervised by adults.
• Knowing a youth’s plans for the day or evening.
• Knowing what youth are doing when away from home.
• Enforcing evening curfews.
• Being involved together with youth in projects and activities.
• Using appropriate punishments for inappropriate behavior and rewards for positive behaviors.
76