The Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center (INSTRC) is partnering with the Indiana Department of Correction (IDoC) to address the unique transition needs of students with disabilities involved in the juvenile justice system.
INSTRC, with funding from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), will train special education professionals to enhance transition-focused Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and teaching practices. This will prepare students for adulthood and help them achieve postsecondary goals in education, employment, and independent living. The partnership also aims to reduce recidivism and improve life success for students with disabilities involved in the juvenile justice system.
“Through our new partnership,” says Cathlene Hardy-Hansen, director of INSTRC, “we have expanded our support of the Indiana Department of Correction to better serve incarcerated youth and improve the transition to adulthood support that youth receive while in secondary education in the Juvenile Correctional Facilities in Indiana.”
Key activities in the partnership include project kick-off meetings, IEP training, online webinars, virtual office hours, technical assistance, disability awareness and special education training for IDoC staff, evaluation of training effectiveness, and resource provision.
Read more about the ICJI Title II grant here.