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

• We were told that since we lived in a rural area and mental health services were scarce, that
it probably would be best for our child to be locked up because she’ll get services faster.
• Let me make the distinction between being given information and being helpful. Yes, they
throw paper at you, but no one explained anything, and it was as if they perceived us as the
family being the problem and didn’t want to take the time with us.
Question 3—Understanding the Process
Did you and your child understand the process The reasons your child was in the system
Your rights
Family members agreed that they did not fully understand the process or their rights. Several
participants also talked about not fully understanding the law or the long-term consequences of
decisions they were faced with during the process. Family members suggested that the juvenile
justice and other systems provide a point of contact or team of people to meet with the family
when a child is arrested. This person or persons could help the family navigate the process,
understand their rights, and address related questions and issues that may arise.
Key Comments/Highlights
• I knew absolutely nothing. They were talking about terms I had no knowledge of. As a parent,
you have no idea what rights you have. Should I speak Should my son speak
• After every court interaction, I asked myself, “What just happened”
• We had no clue what the long-term consequences would be when our son took a plea. We
were told that his records would be expunged. Several years later when our son was filling
out a job application, we realized that we were lied to.
• The system is unfair and there is no built-in protection to prevent a youth from being judged
because of the color of his skin.
Question 4—Child’s Needs
Did you feel enough attention was paid to your child’s education Health care Mental
health needs Other needs your child had while in the system
Families provided mixed results to this question. Although several families reported that their
child did receive education services, it was often as a result of the youth or family members
having to advocate for the appropriate instruction. Families also reported the need to ensure that
youth feel challenged in the education they receive, that special education needs of youth are
appropriately identified and addressed, and that youth are not incorrectly and unnecessarily