Transforming Juveniles through Successful Transitions

About the Program

Category: Children and Youth (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

Maricopa County Education Service Agency’s (MCESA) mission is to educate every child in an effective system. To achieve the mission inclusive of every child, MCESA believes that with the proper conditions and supports, every youth can achieve success. While all youth experience challenges in finding the right path to success, incarcerated youth often face seemingly unsurmountable challenges. In July 2012, MCESA initiated a collaborative to support 1,200 mid-high risk youth returning to the community from incarceration to ensure successful transition, reduce youth recidivism, and prevent further juvenile delinquency and involvement with the adult criminal justice system. MCESA, in collaboration with four other county and state agencies and community partners, launched an initiative connecting youth with positive experiences in four key areas of engagement: education and career; home and family; community and service; and hobbies and recreation. Connecting youth with positive experiences in these four affiliation areas helps meet important needs for the youth and promotes pro-social behaviors that changes the lives of those youth most at risk for returning to incarceration. Every youth that transitions successfully represents a potential contributing member of the community and tax payer.