Youth With Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Considerations for Transition and Rehabilitation Planning

Transition-age students with disabilities under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system face serious transition and rehabilitation challenges as they reenter the community from youth detention. This article presents the initial outcomes of a demonstration project utilizing the Rehabilitation, Empowerment, Natural supports, Education and Work (RENEW) transition model, a service design that has been successful for nonadjudicated youth with emotional disabilities. Of 33 project participants, ages 14 to 17 at project entry, 67.7% successfully reengaged with education or employment following their release from detention. The results of a qualitative investigation are reported based on interviews with key stakeholders about the factors differentiating successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Implications for refinement of the intervention model with this population are discussed.