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October 2018Vol. 19, No. 8Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs

Youth who are involved in foster care are at greater risk of getting involved with the juvenile justice system. Youth placed in group homes are more than twice as likely to become involved in the justice system, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs (OJJDP) within the U.S. Department of Justice estimates there are more than 48,043 youth in placement at a juvenile corrections facility on any given day. It is important to prepare this vulnerable population for reentry into the community, and OJJDP developed a toolkit for youth to help them get ready. Child welfare and juvenile justice professionals and others can provide this resource to youth.

Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs is divided into two parts: preparing for reentry and returning to the community. It outlines actionable steps for youth to take to prepare, such as finding a mentor, making a list of contacts, and planning for school and work. It also includes a quick pocket guide youth can use to jump-start their reentry planning process.

The guide is available at www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/251193.pdf (793 KB).