Date of Award

Spring 6-11-2022

Degree Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

College of Education, Doctoral Program

First Advisor

Andrea Kayne

Abstract

This capstone project aims to reduce the recidivism rates for Black male youth. With 20 years of professional experience in law enforcement, and through the research and literature of this project, I have found that environmental influences contribute to the arrest, incarceration, and rearrest of African American juvenile offenders. These youth are often forced to figure out how to survive in environments that provide tremendous challenges. Adverse childhood experiences, the influence of gangs, poverty, rising rates of violence, lack of quality educational or employment opportunities, substance abuse, and negative family influences are some of the environmental factors that will be introduced and explored in this project. Reducing the risk factors for recidivism is what will help youth not only survive but thrive. What I learned in this project, and what the research supports, is that a robust, comprehensive juvenile rehabilitation center is needed today. The recommendation of this capstone project is that a Juvenile Rehabilitation Center is needed in Chicago, especially to serve Black male youth between the ages of 13–20 years old. By providing quality, holistic services with staff members who are trauma-informed and trained, real change is possible. The Juvenile Rehabilitation Center will provide counseling, educational services, employment placements, financial literacy courses, substance abuse rehabilitation, recreational services, and vocational opportunities, all of which will be designed to provide ongoing, wraparound support to the youth participants.

Download

Share

COinS