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

Appendix A
Full List of Questions
Facilitators asked additional questions within each topic area to help clarify the kinds of
responses that were considered appropriate and to stimulate the discussion.
General System Involvement
1. Did you feel like you had the right information to make decisions in your child’s best
interest Did you receive any printed materials that explained the court process or your
child’s legal rights Did the court appoint a lawyer to represent your child, and did that
lawyer explain your child’s case and options to family members
2. Were you consulted by system personnel regarding your child’s needs or how your family
could serve as an asset to help your child’s behavior Did probation staff visit your home,
interview you, or review your family history with you Did you think that system personnel
valued your input or weighed it in making decisions about your child
3. What needs did your family have that the system might have helped with Did system
stakeholders ask about those needs or seek to determine how they might help the family
better fulfill its role as your child’s primary social influence
4. What were the major challenges your family faced when your child was involved with the
juvenile justice system (For example, could not make court appearances because of work,
could not reach your child’s lawyer, could not contact the probation officer.)
5. How often were you able to contact your child Was physical contact with your child
hindered by visitation schedules, facility policies, or distance and transportation issues and
costs Was the relationship obstructed by phone privileges, costs, and phone policies
6. Do you feel you were able to maintain a deep and meaningful family connection while your
child was detained
7. Do you believe your child would have had a better outcome by receiving community-based
services
8. Do you think your child was harmed as a result of his/her involvement in the juvenile justice
system In what ways Do you think your child was helped as a result of involvement in the
system In what ways
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