Education is Key
Educational outcomes for children involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems nationwide are abysmal. While some students manage to succeed, earning high school diplomas or equivalencies and moving on to higher education or employment, children in these systems face much higher rates of school disruptions, suspensions and expulsions, school dropout, and they experience rates of education related disabilities that are
at least three times greater than their peers. It can be a vicious cycle because educational failure is itself a risk factor for juvenile and criminal justice system penetration.
To help improve educational outcomes for children involved with the juvenile court system, or who are at risk of such involvement, the Juvenile Rights Project has developed programs which serve children in the Portland metro area who face education-related challenges.
SchoolWorks Represents Children and Impacts Systems
Children referred to SchoolWorks are court-appointed clients of JRP, in kindergarten through highschool, who are having school-related difficulties in one or more of these areas: they are excluded or are not attending school, are academically behind or have significant behavior problems in school. Juvenile court involvement is a risk factor for future delinquent or criminal behavior, while school success has been shown as an important and effective way to prevent those behaviors.
SchoolWorks advocates work with parents, foster parents, schools and other agencies to make sure these most at-risk students are enrolled in school and receiving the services they need to be successful. Many have been re-enrolled in school, have moved to more appropriate educational settings, have received improved special education or other supportive services, and have had expulsions suspended or averted.
All of JRP’s clients are involved in multiple systems, such as education (including alternative and special education), mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or developmental disabilities systems. Our advocates help coordinate the efforts of these separate systems, working with them to craft individualized plans to benefit the children we each serve. SchoolWorks advocates also help broker resources between systems. In times like these, when funding is tight, it helps to combine the efforts and resources of these separately-funded systems. SchoolWorks is making connections with school districts, special education programs, therapeutic and alternative school programs, programs serving homeless youth and others so that we can more effectively match our clients with the school placements and services they need most.
For more information concerning the SchoolWorks program, please refer to our or 2006-2007 Annual Report. Also the 2005 Annual Report to supporters.