Family Resources: Justice System

D.C's Juvenile Justice System

By: Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS)

This webpage outlines the typical process for youth who become justice involved in the District of Columbia including arrest and processing, the pre-adjudication state, adjudication and disposition, the DYRS placement process, and the reentry process .

Family Guide to the District of Columbia Juvenile Justice System

By: D.C. Superior Court Family Court | December 2015

"This guide is intended to help parents and caregivers better understand and navigate the juvenile justice system in the District of Columbia. This guide answers frequently asked questions and explains the juvenile justice system." The table of contents on page iv is a great place to start if one has a specific question and page A3-1 at the end of the document has an easy to follow checklist for parents and guardians.

What Love Looks Like: A Voice for Your Family 

By: Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) | December 2017

Last updated in 2017, this resource book provides answers to FAQs, information on DYRS' role, the various types of youth placement, and concludes with additional parental/familial support and suggested reading. More information on the juvenile justice process in D.C. can be found here. Further, their "Help for Families" provides local resources, which may also be useful.

DCYL Parent Handbook

By: DC Lawyers for Youth | 2010

Although a lengthier handbook, DCYL tries to engage parents and families with an extensive amount of resources and answers to many common questions that parents or guardians with justice-involved young people may have.

Specifically, Part I "Activities and Programs to Help your Child Succeed" which includes substance abuse and mental health supports (starting on page 14) and Part II "Navigating the School System to Encourage Your Child's Academic Success" (starting on page 20) are useful chapters of information.

Community Resources

By: Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG)

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has curated a running list of resources related to: legal services, housing assistance, and community based organizations and government specific materials.

The D.C. Reentry Navigator: Empowering You to Succeed with a D.C. Criminal Record 

The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia | January 2021

PDS recently released this 900-page, 16-chapter book that provides a comprehensive compilation of expert knowledge and reentry resources for those impacted by the justice system in the District of Columbia. One can use the table of contents (starting on page xvii) to navigate through the various chapters. A plethora of resources related to being released from BOP and DOC facilities; important tools for reentry and collecting one's identity documents; transportation questions; public benefits, healthcare, and housing resources; and specifics on education and employment are included. 

• Chapter 9 is focused on Family Connections and Legal Rights (page 290).
• Chapter 13 is focused on employment (page 555) and includes preparation assistance, access to employers who have employed individuals with records, and sample resumes.
• Chapter 14 is focused on education (page 643) and outlines one's educational rights and different types of programming. PDS has done a terrific job providing organizations' contact information, and enrollment and eligibility requirements in each of the sections. 

Emerging Adult Justice Project (EAJP)

By: Columbia University Justice Lab  

The Emerging Adult Justice Project has curated a virtual speaker series that has looked at specialized parole and resentencing laws for emerging adults and through their self-guided “Echoes of Incarceration X EAJP Video Series.” 

One specific source is the Specialized Parole and Resentencing Laws Focused on Emerging Adults which highlight's D.C's Incarceration Reducation Amendment Act of 2016 (IRAA). This act provides individuals incarcerated for offenses committed under the age of 18 an opportunity to petition the court for early release.” Page 7 of the report provides more details about the act. 

Every Day Counts! For Community Members

By: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME)

The EDC! is designed to identify, address, and find solutions to improving attendance and reducing truancy across the District. They provide four recorded informational tutorials on chronic absenteeism in D.C., citywide attendance policies, strategies to support improved attendance, and family engagement. This webpage also provides lists of resources related to a variety of topics.

Kids Ride Free Program

By: District Department of Transportation (DDOT) | 2020-2021

The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows students to ride for free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and the DC Circulator while traveling within the District.

To be eligible for participation in the KRF program, each student must be:

• A resident of the District of Columbia, and
• Age 5 through 21, and
• Enrolled in an elementary or secondary public, charter, private or parochial school located within the District, or a ward of DC through the foster care system.

Students will receive their cards from their LEA.

Practice Kit 06, Education Toolkit

By: DC's Children's Law Center | Updated August 2018

This practice kit contains a lot of information for D.C. and Prince George’s County Schools, including regulations, policies and practices related to enrollment, transportation, attendance and truancy, graduation, special education and more. Browse the main page to find relevant chapters.

Attendance and Truancy Resources

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

This document clearly outlines the D.C. Code, regulations, and protocols as it relates to attendance and truancy concerns. Commonly asked questions are dispersed throughout the document. Pages 8-9 provide parents some tips for improving attendance issues with their student and the school, and page 12 shares a list of resources for parents and caregivers.

Family Guide to Getting Involved in Your Child's Education at a Juvenile Justice Facility

By: The National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk (NDTAC) | 2012

"This guide was written for the parents, family members, and educational surrogate parents of youth who have been placed in a juvenile justice facility...The goal of this guide is to help you become more involved in your child's education while he or she is living at the juvenile justice facility." A list of relevant organizations and resources (websites and phone numbers) can be found on pages 20-21.

Parent & Family Go-To-Guide

By: Office of the Student Advocate | 2019

This easy to navigate guide is a perfect resource for families across the District to assist with becoming well informed about terminology, achievement and testing requirements, behavior, attendance, enrollment, special education and more. Pages 29-30 provide additional links to the State Board of Education's (SBOE) 400 additional resources and contact information.

Pre-K to Graduation: A Policy Guide for Families

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) | 2019-2020

“The Pre-K to Graduation: A Policy Guide for Families provides answers to frequently asked questions about topics including attendance, discipline, grading and promotion, credit recovery, and graduation.”

One may jump to the appropriate section by clicking on the items outlined on page 2.

DCPS Parent Resources

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) 

Visit DCPS’ page for resources on school and enrollment information, curriculum, immigration information, student athletics and activities, transportation, and policy and knowing your rights documents.

DCPS College Prep Programs

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

Use this page to navigate information about the college application process and financial aid information. See also this DCPS College Prep Checklist.

Special Education Resource Hub: What Families & Students Need to Know this Year

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

OSSE has gathered resources and guidance for students and families in DCPS, DC Public Charter Schools, and Nonpublic Special Education Schools. This guidance is available in seven different languages.

Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities: IDEA Part B Notice of Procedural Safeguards

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) | September 2018

This document (which comes in multiple languages) provides an array of details regarding a parent's or family's rights in ensuring their student's special education needs are met and in line with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and District of Columbia laws regarding special education. The document provides general information, complaint procedures, appeals information and other items that may be useful to parents and families.

This two-page brochure is a useful overview of the details outlined in the formal document and provides some key information regarding knowing your rights, the timeline for special education services, and other contact information. Further information and community resources are shared here.

Helpful Special Education Acronyms, Abbreviations and Definitions

By: Office of the Student Advocate

This two-page document is a great tool for students and families learning to navigate the special education and related services in the District of Columbia.

Getting an Accurate Diagnosis for your Child: 10 Steps for Families

By: National Alliance on Mental Illness | May 2008

10 steps that families can take to assist mental health service providers in making an accurate diagnosis.

Navigating the Juvenile Justice System: A Guide for Parents of Youth with Disabilities

By: Juvenile Law Center | 2009

Although created specifically for the juvenile legal system in Pennsylvania, this guide provides tips for parents with children with disabilities. It is intended to provide parents and guardians the necessary tools to navigate through the system and ask the appropriate questions during the process.

Special Education Programs & Resources Guide for Families: School Year 2020-2021

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) | 2020

DCPS has prepared a useful document for parents with students who they believe would benefit from special education services. This document includes a timeline and expectations of the referral process and some commonly asked questions. Use the table of contents on page 3 to find the appropriate section. Contact information for the self-contained program types can be found on page 18 and related services on page 23. For additional information visit their webpage here.

Parent Guide to Independent Services

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) | August 2020

This guide is designed to assist parents in understanding the necessary steps they must take in obtaining an independent educational evaluation (IEE). The guide also provides an overview of what parents and their student can expect during the evaluation process. Providers with their associated discipline are listed starting on page 10.

Families Unlocking Futures: Solutions to the Crisis in Juvenile Justice

By: Justice for Families with research support by Datacenter | September 2012

Enriched with personal testimonies and an overview of the problem, the document outlines the impact the juvenile justice system has on families. At the end (pages 46-47) of the document they provide a blueprint toward a "family-driven, trauma informed youth justice system."

Information and Advocacy Resources and Tools

By: State Board of Education (SBOE)

The main portal for the State Board of Education (SBOE) provides a plethora of resource topics, ranging from enrollment and graduation requirements to school discipline to advocacy.

Special Education and Early Intervention Tips During COVID-19 Pandemic

By: Alliance for Children's Rights | 2020

This brief five-page document provides tips for parents to advocate for their children's IEP needs during the public health emergency. Specific bulleted tips for speech and language therapy services (page 3), behavioral needs (page 4) and specialized academic instruction (SAI) (page 4) are shared.