Family engagement is a critical key to positive outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Keeping families engaged and informed throughout the legal process is a priority for the Department of Juvenile Services.
The Office of Family Engagement works to ensure family members are knowledgeable about their loved one's detainment, court orders, treatment, supervision, and re-entry into their communities and schools. It also promotes the active participation of families in the process to support a youth and reduce their risks for recidivism.
The department primarily serves youths and their families who are system-involved, assisting them to meet the terms of their loved one's legal responsibilities and developing the interventions needed to keep youth from becoming unnecessarily involved in the juvenile justice system.