A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile

Corrections and Treatment Programs 
U.S. Department of Justice
 

Office of Justice Programs
 

810 Seventh Street NW. 

Washington, DC 20531 

Caren Harp 

Administrator 

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 

Office of Justice Programs 

Building Solutions • Supporting Communities • Advancing Justice 

ojp.gov 

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 

Enhancing Safety • Ensuring Accountability • Empowering Youth 

ojjdp.gov 

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office 

of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of 

Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the 

Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. 
A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile

Corrections and Treatment Programs 

This guide was prepared under grant numbers 2010-JI-FX-K010 from 

the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) 

and 2016-MU-BX-K011 from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. 

Department of Justice. 

Points of view or opinions expressed in this document are those of 

the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or 

policies of OJJDP or the U.S. Department of Justice. 

April 2018 

NCJ 251193 

Foreword 

This toolkit, Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile 

Corrections and Treatment Programs, was developed as a resource to help 

young people in juvenile corrections and treatment programs prepare for 

reentry and success in the community. 

According to OJJDP’s Statistical Briefing Book, each year there are 

more than 48,043 youth in placement on any given day. Each of you 

will eventually be released back into the community and will have an 

opportunity to move forward with your lives in a positive direction. 

The purpose of this guide is to encourage you to begin thinking and 

planning for success at the earliest point possible while in placement. 

As such, the guide is organized into two sections: (1) planning for reentry 

while in placement and (2) successful reentry into your community. 

The resources provided in this guide speak to common barriers that you 

may experience upon reentry; they include action steps you can take to 

address those barriers with the help of a caring adult. Each day is an 

opportunity to take a step in the right direction, and I hope that you find 

this guide useful in determining where to begin and how to succeed on 

the path to achieving your life’s goals. 

Wishing you success, 

Caren Harp 

Administrator 

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 

iii 

Acknowledgments 

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention would like to thank 

the following individuals for their contributions to the development of this 

toolkit. We appreciate your commitment and enthusiasm for improving the lives 

of youth in the juvenile justice system. 

Simon Gousslin, American Institutes 

for Research 

Jenny Collier, Collier Collective, LLC 

Cynthia Robbins, Consult CR 

Katy Albis, Publications Editor, 

Council of State Governments 

Justice Center 

David Altschuler, Johns Hopkins 

University 

Kate Burdick, Juvenile Law Center 

Jessica Feierman, Juvenile Law Center 

Serena E. Holthe, National Juvenile 

Defender Center 

Carol Cramer Brooks, Contributing 

Writer, National Partnership for 

Juvenile Services 

Michael Jones, National Partnership 

for Juvenile Services 

Susan Marchionna, Writer and Editor, 

National Partnership for Juvenile 

Services 

Meridith Defraites, Executive Office of 

the President, Office of National Drug 

Control Policy 

Christopher Scott, Open Society 

Foundation 

Sean Addie, U.S. Department 

of Education 

Sharon Burton, U.S. Department 

of Education 

Telisa Burt, U.S. Department of 

Health and Human Services 

Jessica Neptune, U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services 

Curtis Porter, U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services 

Rebecca Zornick, U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services 

Maria Lana-Queen, U.S. Department 

of Housing and Urban Development 

Michelle Coles, U.S. Department 

of Justice 

v 
Nicole Ndumele, U.S. Department 

of Justice 

Nicole Dennis, U.S. Department of 

Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice 

and Delinquency Prevention 

Gwen Dilworth, U.S. Department 

of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice 

and Delinquency Prevention 

Anna Johnson, U.S. Department of 

Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice 

and Delinquency Prevention 

Linda Rosen, U.S. Department of 

Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice 

and Delinquency Prevention 

John Hunter, U.S. Department 

of Labor 

Richard Morris, U.S. Department 

of Labor 

Derrick Williams, U.S. Department 

of Labor 

Jasmine Hayes, U.S. Interagency 

Council on Homelessness 

Mary Owens, U.S. Interagency 

Council on Homelessness 

Rashanna Roach, Vocal A.C.T.I.O.N., 

LLC 

A special thank you to the graphic designer, Mina Bellomy, for her contribution to 

this project. Also, a special thank you to Kellie Blue and Sanzanna Dean for their 

vision and coordination of this project. 

vi 
Contents 

Introduction 1 

Part 1: Planning for Reentry 1 

Building Your Reentry Team 1 

Connecting to the Support You Need 3 

Planning Ahead for School and Work 5 

Understanding the Rules of Community Supervision 6 

and Your Aftercare Plan 

Part 2: Returning to Your Community 10 

Using the Services Available to You 10 

Making a List of Important Contacts 13 

Moving Beyond Your Experience in Placement 15 

Following Probation, Parole, and Court Requirements 16 

Keeping Up With School and Work 17 

Are You Ready for Reentry? A Pocket Guide for Youth 23 

vii 

Introduction 

Your return to your community, or “reentry,” is a chance for you to make a 

new start. Your situation is temporary, and you will return to your family and 

community. From the first days that you are in placement, you should start to 

think about your release. This booklet, Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth 

in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs, was created to 

help you through this important transition, with assistance from a parent, 

guardian, mentor, supportive friend, teacher, facility staff, or community 

agency staff. 

The best way to succeed in reentry is to make a plan and do your best to 

stick to it. This guide is divided into two sections—one to help you prepare 

for reentry while you are still in placement, and another to help you transition 

back into your community once you are released. Reentry may be difficult, 

so it is important for you to seek help from supportive people who have your 

best interests at heart. 

REENTRY STARTS HERE 

A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections 

and Treatment Programs 

PART 1: Planning for Reentry 

Reentry or transition planning is about starting on the day that you enter 

placement to prepare for the day that you leave the facility. This section will 

help you find out what you need to know to prepare for reentry. 

Building Your Reentry Team
�

You will need a team of people to help you plan for reentry. This team may include 

a reentry or transition coordinator or case manager, your parent or guardian, a 
2 REENTRY STARTS HERE

mentor, facility staff, an educator, physical and mental health professionals, housing 

providers, a lawyer, and other key people in the community. 

Working with your team to develop your reentry plan 

Your team’s job is to help you create a reentry plan and work toward it. The plan 

starts while you’re in placement and may change a few times as you get closer to 

release. It should include your goals and the steps you need to take to reach those 

goals. Make a list of your goals with your reentry team—for example, you may want 

to get a high school diploma, be financially independent, or get a job in a field you’re 

interested in. A specific staff member may be assigned to help you develop your 

reentry plan. This person is sometimes called a reentry or transition coordinator, or it 

could be your probation or parole officer. 

Getting help from a lawyer 

Even though you are in placement, you have a right to talk with your lawyer. A 

lawyer may be able to help you plan where you will live or go to school, get medical 

care, get a state ID, and find other helpful services after you are released. You 

may contact the lawyer who represented you in court, but that lawyer may not be 

available to help you with reentry. If that lawyer cannot help you, ask your family or 

your reentry coordinator to help you find another lawyer who can help with reentry. 

Start talking with your lawyer about your plans for reentry as early as possible. Let 

your lawyer know about what you have done well and what you want to do when 

you are released. Your lawyer can also help you figure out if and when your juvenile 

record can be sealed or expunged. See page 15 for more information about sealing or 

expunging your record. 

Finding a mentor 

Young people who have the help of a caring, trusted adult are often more successful 

in reentry. This person can act as a mentor—someone who believes in you and 

encourages you to do your best, not someone who just makes you follow the rules or 

who always agrees with you. In addition to your probation or parole officer, lawyer, 

parent, or guardian, you should look for a mentor who can share his or her wisdom 

with you, but also listen to you and keep your conversations confidential. Think about 
 

3 

who would be the best mentor for you and how to reach out to that person. Ask your 

reentry coordinator or other facility staff if there is a mentoring program you can 

access through the facility, or visit www.mentoring.org/get-involved/find-a-mentor to 

find a mentor in your community. 

Communicating with your family 

Having regular contact with your family while you’re in placement can help you be 

more successful after your release. Family may include your parents, grandparents, 

siblings, caregivers, or other supportive adults you trust. Whether you communicate 

in person, on the phone, or through other technology, your family can be an important 

source of support. Tell them about your experiences in placement and the challenges 

you are facing. Discuss your plans for reentry together. Supportive family members 

or guardians can help you navigate the challenges of transitioning back to your home, 

including reconnecting to school and understanding and adhering to probation/parole 

requirements and your aftercare plan. 

Connecting to the Support You Need
�

While you’re in placement, you have access to different types of support and services 

that will help lay the foundation for your health and well-being after your release. 

Participating in recommended mental health care and finding a 

community-based counselor 

It’s not unusual for young people to feel worried, stressed, or sad. It can be helpful 

to talk to a counselor or doctor if you are feeling that way a lot. The facility staff 

should be able to connect you with a counselor or doctor to talk with while you are 

in placement. You have a right to ask questions about your mental health and let the 

staff know what you think is best for you. Understanding the type of treatment you 

need and participating in that treatment are your first steps toward being healthy. 

About 3 months before your release, ask your facility counselor to connect you 

to a counselor in the community whom you can begin to see while you’re still in 

placement. This will give you time to build a relationship with a new counselor before 

your release. 
4 REENTRY STARTS HERE

Part of the plan you make with your reentry team should be to continue building on 

your successes in treatment and make sure there are no gaps in your counseling at 

your release. Ask for help if you need it, and have your treatment records sent to your 

counselor in the community when you are released. Depending on what state you’re 

in, your parent or legal guardian may need to sign a form to send your information 

to the community-based provider. To make sure that you are able to continue seeing 

a counselor or doctor after you return to your community, you should talk with your 

lawyer, case manager, or facility staff about how to get your Medicaid or health 

insurance reinstated, and what you need to do to get a state ID. Most doctors’ offices 

require you to show an ID before they will provide treatment. 

Addressing medical and dental health concerns 

Staff at your facility may conduct medical and dental exams. You have a right to 

find out the results of these exams. Any medical or dental treatment that you need 

should be available while you are in placement and should also be part of your reentry 

plan. As with your mental health information, make sure that results of all medical 

or dental assessments go with you to your doctor and dentist in the community. Your 

parent or legal guardian may need to give written permission for those records to be 

sent to your doctor and dentist. If you already have a family doctor or dentist, work 

with your reentry team to make sure you return to those health care providers once 

you are released. 

Figuring out where you will live 

Make sure to get help from your reentry team and start thinking as soon as possible 

about where you will live when you are released. You may be able to return to the 

home you were in before placement, but if that is not possible, your reentry team 

should help you locate and ensure a smooth transition to a supportive place to live. 

For example, an aunt, uncle, grandparent, godparent, or foster care may be available 

to provide a safe and stable home. Having a stable place to live when you leave 

placement is really important so that you can focus on school, a job, and staying safe. 

If you’re 18 years old or older, you and your reentry team may decide that independent 

living is best for you. 
5 

Planning Ahead for School and Work
�

You may be able to focus on your education and prepare for employment while you 

are still in placement. 

Continuing your education in placement 

Work with the teachers at the facility to set education goals. Write down the steps 

you need to take to obtain a high school diploma, GED, college degree, or other 

certification. Be sure to attend classes provided at the facility. If you were receiving 

special education services at your home school, you are entitled to receive those 

services in your facility. Ask the facility school staff to help you learn more about 

what kind of student you are, your learning style, and how to succeed when you 

return to school in the community. They can teach you school success skills such as 

how to be better organized, how to manage your time, and how to study. 

Transitioning back to your local school 

As you get closer to your release, know that your education record from the facility 

will need to be shared with your local school. You can work with your reentry team to 

make sure that your education record is transferred. If you should become homeless 

at any time during your reentry process, federal law requires school districts to allow 

you to enroll in school immediately so that you can stabilize your education while you 

and your family search for appropriate housing. 

Preparing to attend college 

If you plan to attend college when you are released, the facility school staff can help 

you complete applications and financial aid forms. You can receive federal financial 

aid even if you have a juvenile record. To apply for a federal student loan to help 

pay for college, you need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid 

(FAFSA). You may also consider federal Pell Grants, which are available to students 

who are working toward their first undergraduate or graduate degree, and are based 

on individual need. 
6 REENTRY STARTS HERE

Developing your job skills 

You don’t have to wait until you’re released to start thinking about where you’d like 

to work or to start becoming more qualified for the position you’re interested in. With 

help from facility staff, you can learn job search skills like writing résumés, finding 

job listings, completing applications, and interviewing. Some long-term juvenile 

corrections and treatment facilities offer career and technical certification programs. 

Complete as many certificate programs as you are interested in and able to while you 

are in placement—it can be expensive to complete them after you are released. With 

these certificates in hand, you’ll have more employment options once you’re released. 

Understanding the Rules of Community Supervision 

and Your Aftercare Plan 

Before your release, make sure you understand what the juvenile court judge expects 

of you. When you leave the facility you are in, you will probably have to follow a 

probation order or parole agreement. The agreement might require you to attend 

school, do community service, pay restitution or other costs, follow a curfew, take 

random drug tests, continue community-based mental health or drug treatment 

services, and/or take certain medications as prescribed. You can ask your lawyer, 

transition coordinator, or probation or parole officer for a copy of the order agreement. 

Ask your lawyer to explain the order/agreement to you so that you know what the 

judge is requiring you to do. 

You may also leave placement with what is called an “aftercare plan” to make sure 

that you get the services and support you need once you’re out. The aftercare plan is 

something that your reentry coordinator would develop before you leave placement. 

You should be involved in putting that plan together with your reentry coordinator. 

Your aftercare plan might include counseling, education services, or job skills training, 

and it involves having someone to check in on you, such as a case manager or 

transition coordinator. Before your release, make sure you understand the rules and 

details of your aftercare plan and contact your reentry coordinator if you have any 

questions. 
7 

Notes 
8 REENTRY STARTS HERE

Notes
�
9 

Notes 
10 REENTRY STARTS HERE

PART 2: Returning to Your Community 

Whether you are being released after a few months or years in placement, staff 

members in the facility have created your schedule and told you when to get up 

and when to go to school. You will have more independence when you’re back 

in your community. The sooner you get started with working toward your goals, 

the more success you will have. If you think you’re not doing as well as you want 

to be doing, talk to your lawyer, case manager or transition coordinator, parent, 

guardian, mentor, or another caring adult as soon as possible to get help. 

Using the Services Available to You
�

It’s important to know where to get help when you’re released. 

Managing your living situation 

The challenges of reentry can become even more difficult if you do not have 

stable housing. If you find that you don’t have a place to sleep at night, there 

are resources you can turn to for help. Many communities have a runaway and 

homeless youth program that can help youth who are experiencing homelessness. 

These programs can help you find a place to stay for one night, several nights, or 

even much longer. They may also be able to help you meet your education goals, 

get counseling, reconnect you with family, and provide other important services. 

If you’re thinking about running away from home, talk with your lawyer or mentor, 

or call 1-800-RUNAWAY. These people and services may be able to help you 

understand the potential consequences of running away and help you fix the 

problems you would like to run away from. 
11 

Engaging with your mentor 

A mentor can help you figure out how to manage some of the challenges you may 

face when you return to your community. If you don’t yet have a mentor, visit 

www.mentoring.org/get-involved/find-a-mentor to find one in your community. 

Update your mentor on whatever you’re feeling about being released, your time in 

placement, your accomplishments, and your plan for moving forward. Your mentor can 

support you in your daily life, school, and job search. Meet often with your mentor 

to help you with daily problem solving and to continue to revise your reentry plan. 

Try keeping notes between meetings so that you can remember things you want to 

discuss and what steps you need to take before your next meeting. Allowing your 

mentor to be a consistent presence in your life can help you stay away from drugs, 

attend school regularly, and prepare for success in the workplace. 

Maintaining your mental, physical, and dental health 

Taking care of yourself is a critical part of your success in reentry. Upon release, 

you may need to get your Medicaid or health insurance reinstated. Ask your parent, 

guardian, lawyer, probation or parole officer, or case manager to help make sure 

this is done as soon as you are released. In addition to seeing your doctor and 

dentist regularly, it is important to keep up with any mental health or substance use 

treatment. If you take any prescription medications, be sure to take them exactly as 

they are prescribed. Make sure that you have a supply of medications when you leave 

placement and that prescriptions have been transferred to your local pharmacy. 

Participating in peer recovery support services 

If you struggle with emotional, mental health, or substance use issues, strong social 

connections can strengthen your recovery and reentry. Youth who have a history 

of these issues have a unique capacity to support others in similar circumstances 

because of a deep understanding of their common experiences. People your own age 

who have similar life experiences as you and who have insights to share about their 

experiences can provide peer support and peer mentoring services. Peer recovery 

support services include peer mentoring or coaching, peer recovery groups, and peer 

community building. Ask your case manager or transition coordinator how you can get 

involved in peer recovery support services in your community. 
12 REENTRY STARTS HERE

Getting involved in your community 

Getting involved in your community is a good way to structure your time, and it can 

be fun and rewarding. Explore local organizations where you might take classes or 

volunteer. Programs for youth offer many activities and classes, such as computer 

gaming, dancing, cooking, sports activities, community outings, arts, music, and 

certification programs after school, evenings, and weekends. These programs are 

usually free or available with a scholarship. Examples of organizations to check out 

are your local Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA or YWCA, and churches. 

— —

—

- _

The law requires that all men in the United States between the ages of 18 and 

26—with very few exceptions—register with the Selective Service System (SSS). 

The SSS is in place in the event that a national emergency requires a military draft. 

If you are a male between the ages of 18 and 26 when you are released from 

placement, you must register with the SSS within 30 days of your release to avoid

facing penalties for not registering. Registering with the SSS does not mean that 

you will be drafted into the armed forces—it just means that your information is on 

file in case a military draft is necessary. For more information, visit www.sss.gov/ 

Portals/0/Resources/JJT/Re Entry Infographic.pdf. To register with the SSS, visit 

www.sss.gov/Home/registration. 

Registering With the Selective Service System 
13 

Making a List of Important Contacts 

Even when you’re back in the community, you’ll still need help from other people 

to stay on track. It’s important to have contact information readily available for the 

people and agencies that can support you during reentry. Use the list below as a 

starting point, and keep your contact list up to date. The list should include: 

Your mentor: _________________________________________________________ 

Your probation/parole officer: ___________________________________________ 

Your case worker or case manager: _______________________________________ 

Your counselor: _______________________________________________________ 

Your lawyer: _________________________________________________________ 

HOTLINES YOU MIGHT NEED 

Local counseling hotline: _______________________________________________
 

Local substance use/abuse hotline: _______________________________________
 

Local domestic violence shelter/hotline: ___________________________________
 

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
 

National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
 

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
 

Runaway Safeline: 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929)
 

Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
 
14 REENTRY STARTS HERE

When you’re home and have access to a phone or 

computer, you probably have access to and may 

be a member of popular social media sites. Social 

media sites can be a great way to reconnect with 

your friends, learn, and share common interests. But 

it is important to use social media like Snapchat, 

Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook with caution. Using social 

media can be risky for all youth, especially if it’s not used in a healthy 

and responsible way. Be mindful of what you say and post on social 

media sites and communicate as if you were having a conversation with 

someone in person. Employers and colleges look at your online profiles, 

so only post what you would want them to see. Also, beware of people 

who are trying to use social media to harm you, such as bullies, sexual 

predators, and others. Whether it’s someone you know or a complete 

stranger, be careful about who you connect with on social media. 

PRIVACY 

• Check your privacy settings on each social network site you use. 

Don’t go public, especially with your location. 

• Set your privacy setting to friends only—only people you know. 

• Don’t share your password. 

FRIENDS 

• Don’t accept requests to join your network unless you know the person 

who is asking. 

• Don’t arrange in-person meetings with anyone you don’t know. 

• Don’t engage in sexual conversations or post explicit pictures. 

• Protect your phone number and address. 

BULLYING 

• Resist “impulse” posting, especially if you are upset about something. 

• Don’t engage in aggressive behavior online. 

• Handle your friendship and relationship problems privately and offline. 

USING 

SOCIAL 

MEDIA 
15 

Moving Beyond Your Experience in Placement
�

There are certain things you can do to move past your time in placement, helping both 

yourself and others. 

Understanding record clearance 

Your juvenile record can affect your future. Your juvenile record can make it harder 

for you to get a job, go back to or get into school, find a place to live or stay in 

your current home, join the military, or just move on with your life. Therefore, it is 

important for you to get your record cleared, if at all possible. 

Most states provide an opportunity for people to clear some or all of the following 

from their juvenile record: police reports, fingerprints, photographs, parole reports, 

court records, and juvenile detention records. Some states allow you to seal your 

record, which would hide it from the public. Other states allow you to expunge your 

record, which would delete it or put it aside where no one can access it except with 

permission from the judge. Your state may use the term “sealing,” “expunging,” 

“deletion,” “destruction,” or “expunction.” These are all words that describe ways in 

which your record can be shielded from the public and help you avoid some long-term 

consequences. 

Because the process to get a juvenile record cleared is different in each state, you 

should contact your lawyer or local public defender’s office to find out what you need 

to do to get your juvenile record cleared. 

You may also contact the National Juvenile Defender Center to get information about 

who may be able to assist you in clearing your juvenile record. Their email address is 

inquiries@njdc.info and their phone number is 202-452-0010. 

Using your experience to help others 

You have knowledge and experiences that can help others. Consider telling your story 

to help other youth make better choices. Think about becoming part of a peer support 

or peer mentoring group. Peer support and peer mentoring are services provided by 

people who have common life experiences with the people they serve. For example, 

a youth who has experience in the juvenile justice system can share his or her 

knowledge with other youth in similar situations. By sharing their experiences, peers 
16 REENTRY STARTS HERE

can bring hope to youth in the system and promote a sense of belonging within the 

community. Talk to your case manager or transition coordinator if you’re interested in 

becoming a peer mentor. 

Following Probation, Parole, and Court Requirements
�

When you’re released, be sure to review all of the requirements and conditions 

of your probation order or parole agreement with someone who can explain the 

conditions of release. If you have any questions, ask your lawyer or probation or 

parole officer. You need to know if there are rules about your school attendance or 

restrictions on where you can go, whom you can interact with, and how late you can 

stay out. You don’t want to violate your probation order or parole agreement just 

because you didn’t understand one of the rules. 

Part of your probation order or parole agreement will involve reporting to your 

probation or parole officer. If you have a cell phone or smartphone, you can use your 

phone’s calendar function to keep track of your appointments. If you don’t have a 

As you work toward your reentry goals, it’s going to be up to you to stay organized. 

Start a folder of important documents to bring with you to appointments with 

your probation or parole officer, community -based service provider, and any court 

appearances you might have. Having these documents in one place will also help you 

stay on top of your health, your education goals, and your career goals: 

Keeping a File of Important Documents 

• State-issued driver’s license or 

identification card 

• Social Security card 

• Birth certificate 

• Health records (including 

vaccinations, test results, x -rays, 

and medication information) 

• School records (including records of 

classes taken, grades, attendance 

records, and test scores) 

• Probation or parole conditions 

• Calendar 

• Contact list 
17 

cell or smartphone, mark your appointments on a physical calendar. Get in the habit 

of putting new appointments on your calendar as you are making them. Missing an 

appointment with your probation or parole officer could mean that you have to appear 

before the juvenile court judge again. In some circumstances, the judge may even 

send you back to placement. 

Keeping Up With School and Work
�

Completing school and getting a good job are two of the best ways to succeed after 

placement. It is important to try your best and ask for help. 

Returning to school in the community 

You will likely need assistance in the transition back to school, which can be 

challenging at first. Your local school usually needs a copy of the education records 

from the facility to give you credit for classes you took while in placement. Also, many 

schools will not let you reenroll until they have this paperwork. Get help from your 

lawyer, probation or parole officer, mentor, case manager, or transition coordinator if 

you have problems getting back into school, scheduling the right classes, or getting 

credit for the classes you took while in placement. If you are eligible for special 

education services, you should notify the school staff during your first meeting. 

The school should refer you to the office for special education services or to a staff 

person who can help with the enrollment process. Once you are enrolled in school, 

it’s very important to attend all of your classes consistently. Regularly attending class 

is an important part of being in the community and getting an education, which can 

eventually help you get a job that pays well. 

Meeting your education goals 

Education is the key to getting a good job. Most career paths start with getting 

either a high school diploma or a GED. If your career goals require further education, 

you might consider enrolling in a community college, university, or technical school. 

College is expensive, but with research and planning, there may be resources to cover 

these costs. You may be eligible for financial aid, including federal Pell Grants, which 

were introduced on page 5. Visit https://fafsa.ed.gov to find more information about 
18 REENTRY STARTS HERE

financial aid. Ask your mentor, the high school counselor, or the college financial aid 

office for help applying for financial aid. Always check into scholarships, grants, and 

financial aid packages and try your best to avoid taking out high-interest student 

loans that you have to pay back after you graduate. 

Getting a job 

Keep in mind that if your juvenile record has not been sealed or expunged, your record 

could make it harder for you to get a job. Refer to page 15 for more information about 

juvenile record sealing or expungement. If you are still in school, think carefully about 

your job options. It is very difficult to work a full-time job and complete school at the 

same time. While you are working toward completing your longer term education and 

career goals, you might consider taking a part-time job. If you are a minor, there may 

be limits on how many hours you can work and how late at night you can work, or 

even if you can have a job at all. 

When you’re ready to look for a job, your school counselor, case manager, probation 

or parole officer, or mentor might be able to help you. You may also be able to 

receive assistance from your local American Job Center or One-Stop Career Center. 

These centers provide services to assist individuals in exploring career options and 

identifying skills required for a specific career, and may be able to provide information 

on training to support you in achieving your career goals. Visit www.careeronestop.org 

for more information. 
19 

Managing your money 

Managing your money wisely ensures that you have a place to live, food to eat, basic 

clothes to wear, electricity, etc. If you spend too much money on video games, junk 

food, or expensive and excessive shoes and clothes, you may end up not being able to 

pay for your rent and groceries. As soon as you start earning income from a job, you 

will need to think about creating a budget and saving money. Visit www.mymoney. 

gov/Pages/for-youth.aspx for resources about money that are geared toward youth. 

Every day in reentry is a new chance to start again. But the path to 

success is not a straight line. You will continue to encounter obstacles 

and setbacks, but that’s part of life. The important thing is to return 

again and again to your goals and the strategies that work for you. Stay 

focused on your goals, be patient with yourself, and ask for help when 

you need it. 

Moving Forward 
20 REENTRY STARTS HERE

Notes
�
21 

Notes 
22 REENTRY STARTS HERE 

Notes
�
 

Three questions to answer before your release 

Are You Ready

for Reentry? 

A POCKET 

GUIDE FOR 

YOUTH 

1. What are your goals for reentry? 

Make a list of your goals in each area. 

Education goals: 


Career goals:
 

Health goals:
 

Family and relationship goals:
 

Financial goals: 


Other goals:
 

2. What are you doing to prepare to meet your reentry goals? 

Make a list of the things you’re doing now—such as certificate programs, mental health 

counseling, and meeting with a mentor—that are setting you up for success in reentry. 

3. Where are you going to live after you are released? 

At least 3 months before your release, sit down with your reentry or transition 

coordinator to plan out your living situation. Use the following checklist to help 

guide the conversation you have with your reentry coordinator about housing. 

Do you know who is picking you up from 

the facility on the day of your release?
 

YES NO
 

Notes: 

Do you know who you’re going to live 

with (if anyone)?
 YES NO 

Notes:
 

Do you know who to contact if you find that 

you don’t have a place to sleep at night? 

YES NO 

Notes: 
Three questions to answer after your release 

1. Have you gathered your important documents together in a folder? 

Check off the documents you have in a folder, and write down how you’ll go about 

getting any documents that you didn’t check off. 

School records (see pages 5 and 17 

of Reentry Starts Here for details on 

transitioning back to your school in 

the community) 


List of important contacts (see page 

13 of Reentry Starts Here for more 

information) 

State-issued driver’s license or 

identification card 

Social Security card 

Birth certificate
 

Health records	 

Probation or parole conditions 

Calendar 

Plan for getting missing documents (who to contact, where to go, etc.): 

2. What keeps you motivated to follow the rules of community supervision 

and stay focused on your reentry goals? 

Make a list of the people, strategies, and activities that are keeping you motivated 

and on task to follow the conditions of probation or parole and meet your goals. 

People	 Strategies Activities 

3. Who will you talk to when you need help? 

Work with your reentry or transition coordinator to come up with a list of names and 

contact information for the people or agencies you will reach out to if you need help 

in any of the following areas: 

Housing 

Name: 

Phone number: 

Email address: 

Education 

Name: 

Phone number: 

Email address: 

Juvenile Record Expungement/Sealing 

Name: 

Phone number: 

Email address: 

Employment 

Name: 

Phone number: 

Email address: 

Physical Health 

Name: 

Phone number: 

Email address: 

Mental Health 

Name: 

Phone number: 

Email address: 

24 

U.S. Department of Justice 

Office of Justice Programs 

Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention *NCJ~251193*

8660 Cherry Lane 

Laurel, MD 20707-4651 

Official Business 

Penalty for Private Use $300 

PRESORTED STANDARD
 

POSTAGE & FEES PAID
 

DOJ/OJJDP
 

PERMIT NO. G–91