MPACT’s Juvenile Justice Initiative (R.I.S.E)
The School to Prison Pipeline Explained
Many students, specifically children with disabilities and children of color, are funneled out of public school and into the juvenile justice system due to the overuse of exclusionary discipline practices.
MPACT’s Juvenile Justice Initiative focuses on providing special education training, information and support to families of justice-involved youth with disabilities, at-risk youth, educators and professionals on ways to rethink how we do discipline in efforts to keep children in the classroom and out of the juvenile system.
The video below is a testimonial from former Chief Juvenile Officer, Randall Rhodes and Juvenile Officer, Angela Ussery of the 32nd Judicial Circuit Juvenile Division regarding how MPACT support to families of children with special education needs has helped to reduce juvenile referrals in their circuit.
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Navigating the Juvenile Justice System in Missouri For Parents and Families of Youth with Disabilities
Going through the juvenile justice system can feel scary and confusing, especially if your child has a disability. This guide explains what to expect and how you can support your child. You’ll also learn about services and supports that are available for you and your child.
MPACT's Tools that Challenge the School to Prison Pipeline Training
MPACT’s Tools that Challenge the School to Prison Pipeline Training-Lends to evidence-based approaches that guide positive interactions with youth.
The Effectiveness of the Training-MPACT continues to receive positive feedback from session participants. The training has been presented in several statewide and national conferences since 2021 including: The Missouri Juvenile Justice (MJJA) conference, The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Transition Training Institute, DESE’s Powerful Learning Conference and The National Symposium for Juvenile Services Conference.
Intended Audience-Parents of children with disabilities or behavioral needs, educators and other professionals who support the development and success of youth.
Resources for Parents
- Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Student Discipline
- Your Child Returns Home Fact Sheet
- Incarcerated Youth Fact Sheet
- JJ-Fast Facts About School Fact Sheet
- MPACT’s Safe School Act Fact Sheet
- MPACT’s Evaluation Process & Free Appropriate Public Education Fact Sheet
- OSEP’s Q&A: Addressing the Needs of Children and IDEA’s Discipline Provisions
- FERPA provides parents or eligible students the right to request that inaccurate educational records (including discipline records) be amended.
- OSEP Memorandum 22-01…ensuring that special education teachers and related services providers are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained.
Resources for Professionals
- Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSEP) Dear Colleague Letter on Implementation of IDEA Discipline Provision (July 19, 2022)
- Positive Proactive Approaches to Supporting Children with Disabilities: A Guide for Stakeholder
- Creating and Sustaining Discipline Policies that Promote Student’s Social, Emotional, Behavioral and Academic Well-being and Success
- OSEP’s Q&A: Addressing the Needs of Children and IDEA’s Discipline Provisions
- IDEA, its implementing regulations, and other important documents related to IDEA and the regulations
- School Climate and Student Discipline Resources
- Guiding Principals for Providing High-Quality Education in Juvenile Justice Secure Care Settings
- DESE-Special Education for Students in Missouri Juvenile Justice Centers
- OSEP Memorandum 22-01…ensuring that special education teachers and related services providers are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained.
- Missouri Developmental Disability Council: Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline Restorative Justice
- Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA)
