Leveraging Cross-Sector Resources to Enhance Prevention

Coalition for Juvenile Justice Annual Conference May 25, 2023

PRESENTERS

Melissa Milchman, Esq.

Juvenile Justice Specialist, DC Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants

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Michael Duran

Program Manager, D.C. Department of Human Services, Parent and Adolescent Support Services (PASS)

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Quyen Nguyen

Program Analyst, D.C. Department of Human Services

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John Mein

Chief of Prevention Services, D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services

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Musa Mahdi

Social Service Officer, DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)

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Session Overview

D.C. has several initiatives that are centered around prevention and are operationalized through coordinated, cross-sector resources and partnerships.

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Addressing issues from truancy reduction to violence prevention, D.C. is leveraging allies across disciplines to improve outcomes for youth and families.

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In this session, participants will learn about the planning and execution of a pilot program to integrate and expand intensive case management services in schools with high rates of truancy and chronic absenteeism, and a community-based violence prevention initiative directed at youth 11-14 years of age.

Department of Human Services 

Family Services Administration 

Youth Services Division

PASS ICM+

“On Campus”

Parent and Adolescent Support Services (PASS)

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The Parent and Adolescent Support Services (PASS) Program works to reduce status offenses, including truancy, curfew violations, running away, and extreme disobedience. 

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• PASS is a community based voluntary program that provides intensive case management services to youth  (ages 10 – 17) and their families in the District of Columbia

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• The PASS Case Management Program works with families to identify and implement appropriate supports, such as therapy, after-school programming, parenting classes and mentoring, to name a few to help reduce the problematic behaviors.

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• Families/Youth may not have open cases with Child & Family Services Administration (CFSA), Court Social Services (CSS) or the Dept. of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). 

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• Link to Electronic Referral Form: https://dcgov.seamlessdocs.com/f/PASSREFERRAL

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• Additional Information: dhs.pass@dc.gov; 

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Referrals: Anyone can make a referral to PASS by phone, email or via electronic referral form for District youth who are commit­ting status offenses. If you would like to receive a referral form to have on-hand, or make an immediate referral, please contact PASS.

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Youth Services Division

PASS

PASS ICM + on Campus - “WHAT”

• PASS ICM+ on Campus  deliver intensive case management to a focused cohort of youth for a duration of four school years. PASS ICM+ On Campus will began this pilot project with the 6^th grade student cohort at Kramer Middle School (Approx. 70 youth). 

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• Services consist of care coordination, family engagement supports, mentoring supports, parent coaching, tutoring supports, social/ emotional supports, family and youth incentives, life skills development and focused groups. Using evidenced-based interventions and tools, PASS ICM+ on Campus aims to serve ALL 6th grade students this year through the pilot project. 

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• An advisory board of students, parents , school staff and community partners will also be developed to guide implementation, enhance coordination amongst government stakeholders, engage youth and families directly in the oversight process, and improve system accountability and transparency.

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Parent & ADOLESCENT SUPPORT Services

Youth Services Division Di

THE "WHY"

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• Chronic absenteeism is more complex than just not attending school. Services must address the underlying causes (physical, emotional, social, & environmental needs). Common barriers that youth experience that keep them from school include academic challenges, family disengagement, mental and physical health challenges, and school and community safety concerns.

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• PASS ICM+ directly supports the District’s and OJJDP’s goal to reduce system involvement for youth at risk of court involvement. Focusing on truancy behaviors, which the District found to be a key risk factor for juvenile justice system involvement.

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• PASS helps youth avoid court-involvement or system penetration by removing barriers to school attendance and academic achievement through case management, providing coordination and navigation support across government agencies, supporting engagement and education of parents, and providing youth and families with linkages to community-based services.

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Youth Services Division

THE “HOW” (Key Partners)

• The Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG) and DHS, YSD is partnering to support the goals and objectives of the project. OVSJG is responsible for administrative and fiscal oversight, and DHS, YSD is responsible for program implementation, including sub-grants to our community-based partners

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• Partnering with DCPS, Kramer MS faculty & staff and Kramer youth & families in order to obtain access to student/family data and student information. PASS ICM + team learned the culture and climate of the school building and how best to incorporate ourselves in the daily operations of a school day. 

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•  PASS ICM+ establish new objectives, goals and agreements with current and new community-based partners that could help support the PASS ICM+ project through a variety of programming. 

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Youth Services Division

THE “HOW” (Key Partners) Cont.

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• ICM+ Staff partners with parents/guardians daily by reaching out to inquire about students who did not attend school. ICM+ staff use this opportunity to develop partnerships with parents/guardians. 

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• ICM+ Staff host town halls with students regularly, to gather insight on what the barriers and/or interest are for attending school in order to better shape our services.

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•  ICM+ Staff partner with the 6th grade staff in promoting and supporting grade level and school based incentives and award events for parents and students.  

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Questions & Follow-up Information

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Michael Duran

Program Manager PASS, PASS ICM+

Darren Foster

Supervisor, PASS, PASS ICM+

Nia Rainey

PASS ICM+ Site Coord.

Quyen Nguyen

Management & Program Analyst

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Sheila Clark 

Deputy Administrator, Youth Services Division

Sheila.clark@dc.gov

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DYRS Violence Prevention Initiative FY 2023

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

DYRS is charged with standing up the Violence Prevention Initiative to work with young people identified in immediate risk for delinquency and to provide them with immediate services and supports. Launching in the Spring of 2023, the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) will collaborate with local stakeholders to provide intensive programming to youth who are at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. With the goal of keeping these youth out of the criminal justice system and building upon their strengths and the strengths of their families to thrive.

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TYPES OF RISK

AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

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The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) recognizes the following categories of risk factors that are likely to increase the risk of juvenile justice system involvement:

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1) Individual factors

2) Family factors

3) Peer factors

4) School and community factors

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

A Study of Factors that Affect the Likelihood of Juvenile Justice System Involvement Report Published Fall of 2022

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WEEKS 1-16 COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING

Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS)

This group focuses on developing resilience, particularly for individuals who have faced repeated stress and difficult experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to learn how chronic stress affects our minds and bodies. Group sessions encourage members to practice skills to cope with sadness, frustration, anxiety, and anger. After 16 sessions, participants will learn they can feel better no matter what stress they face in the future! Certificates of Participation are awarded to group members who complete the program. Programming includes a snack/ meal and locations vary between community centers/ outdoor settings depending on time of year. Parents are also enrolled in the SPARCS training specifically for guardians.

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CORE GROUP PROGRAMMINGS TAKING PLACE IN THE COMMUNITY, 2 TIMES PER WEEK

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Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions