OJJDP Family Listening Sessions: Executive Summary - Office of ...

priority. Participants also recommended that system officials should work with families (to make
it easier on families by providing flexibility in visiting hours, and/or transportation, or travel
subsidies) when children are in facilities that require several hours of travel for families who
have no transportation or time available to make the trip.
Mandatory Communication With Parents
In certain circumstances, this was the most frequent and widespread issue identified.
Specifically, participants called for ample notification of trial dates or plea bargains to allow
sufficient time to seek appropriate counsel and guidance and for contacting and alerting parents
when their child is moved to a new facility or a hospital for treatment. Family members also
commented that this meant system officials must adhere to and enforce communication policies
already in place.
Themes Based on the Families’ Experiences With Aftercare Support and
Reentry Programs
The following themes reflected family experiences with their child’s ability to successfully
reenter his or her home, school, and community environments based on the system’s aftercare
support and programs. All participants agreed that effective preparation and reentry programs are
essential for a successful transition, which in turn reduces recidivism.
Individualize Aftercare and Treatment Plans
Participants felt that probation services are inadequate and often not tailored to meet the needs of
the specific child. They suggested that services that successfully address the full range of issues
and needs—education, mental health, substance abuse, and other factors—would make their
children better able to transition successfully back into the community and decrease the
likelihood they would reoffend.
More Support for Parents
Across the board, participants called for more and better support programs for parents so they are
better equipped to help their children survive their time in the system and get the help they need
to get back on the right track.
Summary of Remarks by OJJDP
Senior leaders from OJJDP were present at each session to hear the testimonies of the families
and provide updates on policies and legislation being enacted to change the juvenile justice
system at every governmental level. The following is a summary of their remarks:
Jeff Slowikowski, currently Associate Administrator, Youth Development, Prevention, and
Safety Division (then-Acting Administrator), OJJDP, informed family members that although