Promoting positive environments for high-risk youth by working at the nexus of justice, education, and health: Lessons from Oakland, CA

High-risk youth in juvenile justice systems are more likely to attain low levels of education, suffer from mental health issues, behavioral problems, chronic disease, earn lower wages, and re-enter into the criminal justice system. Similarly, within school environments, adolescents who commit an offense are often subjected to suspensions, expulsions, and arrests, which in turn make them more likely to drop out of school and continue to break the law. Boys of color are disproportionately affected by fragmented justice, education and health services and systems that, in addition to adverse life conditions since childhood, perpetuate the cycle of violence and problem behaviors into adulthood. Policymakers, programs, and systems across juvenile justice, education, and health are beginning to recognize the importance of holistically promoting youth well-being by intervening early to promote protective factors and taking a strengths-based approach. We discuss Oakland public schools who are applying restorative justice principles, which, unlike the traditional retributive justice model, are positive, less punitive, and recognize how schools and communities, in addition to individuals, are affected by offenses. These Oakland schools are applying restorative justice principles to promote a healthy school climate, re-integrate marginalized students, and prevent violence. Furthermore, Oakland's Juvenile Reentry Initiative, as part of a comprehensive system of care, provides the most at-risk youth with community-based preventative programming, comprehensive assessment, working to ensure successful transition to community and schools. We will share lessons learned for developing effective strength-based multi-disciplinary systems of care for high-risk youth to build resilience and positive trajectories.