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Working with Families of Children and the Juvenile Justice and Corrections Systems: A Guide for Education Program Leaders, Principals, and Building Administrators, NDTAC

This document discusses strategies for promoting family involvement in the juvenile detention education system. It recognizes the shared responsibility between administrators of the juvenile detention facilities, school administrators, family members, and students in collaborating to provide a high quality education.

Family members face barriers to becoming meaningfully involved in an incarcerated student’s education. This document suggests opportunities for family involvement at several levels, emphasizing the importance of communication between actors, and creating multiple opportunities for family involvement throughout the educational process. This includes broad strategies aimed at all families, such as promoting family input, developing mechanisms for open communication, creating a culturally welcoming environment and providing effective family support services. It also includes selective strategies aimed at families in need of more support, such as providing transportation and childcare assistance and connecting families with each other to develop a network of support, and intensive strategies focused on meeting individualized needs and addressing the substantial challenges that prevent some families from getting involved in the educational process.