Module 4: Coordinating and Integrating Systems

1B. Development of Pre-Release Plans

Pre-release plans need to address all the domains and systems from which a youth will require support and monitoring. The Transition Checklist used by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration in Washington State provides a timeline and comprehensive list of tasks to do prior to release of a youth from the juvenile justice system. Youth and family "buy-in" is essential. Plan development that does not view families as partners is likely to lead to failed transitions. Plans need to clearly specify:

• Parole and probation obligations
• Mental health and substance abuse treatment plans
• Delineation of responsibilities of various systems, e.g., families, social service
• Housing or residential plan
• Educational or vocational plan
• Initial relapse prevention strategies
• Identification of continued health and medication management provider
• Identification of outcome targets and goals via an integrated mental health and substance abuse assessment
• Specification of monitoring strategies

The Intensive Community-Based Aftercare Program (IAP) is an excellent model of how to implement community transition plans (Altschuler & Armstrong, 1996).