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Family Involvement Survey Demonstrates Agency Gains


The focus of TJJD’s Family Liaison services is to increase the family involvement in the rehabilitation of youth by developing, organizing, implementing, and overseeing family engagement activities at each facility. The agency has moved from family-informed care to family-involved care and sees families as assets in rehabilitation efforts and successful community re-entry. Family Liaisons coach, educate, support, and encourage family members to participate in and help administer the rehabilitation plan for their youth. Opportunities for family participation come during regularly scheduled campus activities, family-focused seminars and forums, contact and web-based visitation, and multi-disciplinary team meetings.


In March 2008, TJJD administered the first satisfaction survey to families regarding their perception of TJJD services. Those survey results established a baseline from which to measure improvements. In an effort to boost participation, this year’s survey was accessible on-line throughout the collection period of September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015.  The questions showing the greatest improvement regarded the assistance of the family liaisons in communicating the youths’ needs to other staff (+26 points), receiving notifications when their child is ill/injured (+12 points), and including the family in re-entry planning efforts (+11points).


The accompanying bar graph summarizes the overall satisfaction rating (agree and strongly agree) of the twelve evaluative questions among those who responded for secure facilities and halfway houses. Not all participants answered all 12 questions below, and only the responses for “agree,” “strongly agree,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree” were included in the analysis. Responses of “does not apply” were excluded from the results.


Family members were asked to indicate their level of satisfaction to the following questions:


5. My child has made progress in education while in TJJD
6. My child receives the necessary medical treatment.
7. I get timely responses to my questions about my child’s medical care.
8. I am notified in a timely manner when my child is seriously sick or injured
9. The case manager has involved me in my child’s individual case plan and the planning for his/her return to the community.
10. TJJD is helping my child make positive changes.
11. I am able to reach staff when I have questions.
12. I am treated with respect when I visit TJJD facilities.
13. Grievances that my child has filed are handled in a timely and fair manner.
14. My child is safe at the current TJJD facility.
15. My child is given the opportunity to worship in the religion of his/her choice.
16. The family liaison assists me in communicating my child’s needs to other TJJD staff.
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