Since its founding, Reclaiming Futures has been dedicated to helping to build a balanced and restorative juvenile justice system that holds youth accountable, but breaks the cycle of crime and drugs by providing evidence-based substance abuse treatment to the kids who need it.
Along the way, we’ve connected with 29 communities across the country and received great feedback on the power of the Reclaiming Futures model and its ability to ensure that youth have access to treatment. Our model has 6 parts:
- Initial screening: As soon as possible after being referred to the juvenile justice system, youth should be screened for substance abuse problems using a reputable screening tool.
- Initial assessment: If substance abuse is indicated, refer for service coordination.
- Service coordination: Intervention plans should be designed and coordinated by community teams that are family-driven, span agency boundaries and draw upon community-based resources.
- Initiation: Service initiation is a critical moment in intervention.
- Engagement: Youth and families must be effectively engaged in services.
- Transition: Community coordination teams should specify how much of each service plan must be completed, after which agency-based services will be gradually withdrawn, as appropriate.
Susan Richardson, national executive director for Reclaiming Futures, met with members of the Oregon congressional delegation this past September in Washington, D.C.
Richardson met with Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as Representative Earl Blumenauer to discuss the accomplishments Reclaiming Futures has achieved in the past year. She spoke specifically with Rep. Blumenauer regarding Reclaiming Futures work with its federal partners, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.org) and The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).
Here's a photo of Susan from her meeting with Senator Merkley:
Congratulations to Vietta S. from Norfolk, NE! Here's a note from our National Executive Director Susan Richardson:
Thanks to all who visited the Reclaiming Futures booth in the exhibition hall at the OJJDP 2011 Conference for Children's Justice & Safety. We hope you will enjoy receiving our weekly e-newsletter which provides highlights from the Reclaiming Futures blog, the premier online source for juvenile justice and drug and alcohol treatment for teens. Know, too, you may unsubscribe at any time.
We had 328 people enter our contest for a 16GB WiFi iPad2. The winner was number 284, Vietta S. from Norfolk, NE. Congratulations, Vietta!
To learn more about Reclaiming Futures, visit our website at www.reclaimingfutures.org.
Thanks again to all of you for stopping by.
