YOUR RIGHTS AND ROLE

Families are partners with Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) staff in their youth’s rehabilitation.

DYRS encourages and helps families to participate actively in all phases of their youth’s treatment.

Caregivers and families of youth who are involved with DYRS have the following rights:

1. You have the right to expect DYRS to provide a safe, secure, and clean environment.

2. You have the right to be treated fairly regardless of who you are.

3. You have the right not to be judged, blamed, or labeled.

4. You have the right to know about DYRS’ processes, programs, and services.

5. You have the right to be informed promptly about your youth’s welfare matters.

6. You have the right to be a vocal advocate, and to actively participate in decisions.

7. You have the right to meaningful participation in treatment and transition plans.

8. You have the right to keep in touch with your youth through visitation, telephone, and mail.

9. You have the right to professional, courteous, and respectful treatment by all DYRS staff.

10. You have the right to define your family, and to involve others.

11. You have the right to have DYRS promptly address your questions and/or concerns.

If you have any concerns or questions about these rights, please get in touch with the DYRS Care Coordination Team at [email protected]

Your Role: Guiding Your Youth

Your role as the parent, caregiver, or guardian for your child is the most important one in his or her rehabilitation. It is YOU who will love your child most through the process of commitment to DYRS and transitioning home or back to the community once commitment is over. DYRS will become a partner with every caregiver to ensure that youth have the best possible chance to reach their greatest potential throughout the phases of rehabilitation.​

When a youth is committed to DYRS, the Agency assumes legal custody of that youth. Your role in nurturing and advocating for your youth will remain a pivotal part of the experience. Your active participation in navigating the system will be honored. If your youth is placed at home, the Care Coordinator assigned will connect with your family—while relying on you to share the youth’s behaviors, whereabouts, and overall well-being—in supporting his or her success. Regular contact and collaboration with the Care Coordinator will be critical to creating another layer of care for your child and the family for the good of the whole. If your youth is placed at a community-based residential facility, your provision of clothing and ensuring school enrollment is paramount. If your child is placed at a secure residential facility, your regular phone calls and visits will provide emotional stability and unwavering loving support.

Whether your child is living at home or placed in a community or secure facility, DYRS will respect and expect every caregiver to continue to be a voice for their child. Throughout the working relationship, challenging moments will be managed, while progress will be celebrated.

What to Expect

As your child begins the commitment process with DYRS, you play a pivotal role in his or her journey. DYRS is intentional about respecting youth and families by fostering active engagement every step of the way.

First Step

You and your child will be invited to complete a comprehensive assessment with a member of the pre-commitment team. You will then be invited to an orientation session for caregivers, where a DYRS Family Engagement Specialist will explain the different types of placements (also referred to as the Continuum of Care) at DYRS, as well as what your child’s rights and yours are throughout your child’s commitment. The Family Engagement Specialist will further explore how you can maintain an active role in your youth’s rehabilitation. Lastly, you’ll be given additional information to take home and refer to throughout your child’s commitment.

Second Step

You and your child will be invited to a Team Decision Meeting (TDM) with a DYRS Care Coordinator and other service providers. This is the most important meeting for you to attend, as it will begin to shape the plans for your child throughout his or her commitment. During the TDM, insight, and input from you and your family on your child’s strengths and challenges will drive the creation of a tailored Individual Success Plan (ISP). One size does not fit all. Your child’s plan will be as unique as he or she. Your child will live at home or in a secure community or residential facility while committed to DYRS and receiving services. You should expect to be in frequent contact with the Care Coordinator assigned to your child, as well as other DYRS team members and/or partners such as a DC YouthLink service provider and/or Credible Messenger.

If your child is placed in a secure residential facility, they will live in a gender-specific age-appropriate setting. You will be able to connect with a Juvenile Justice Institutional Counselor (JJIC) who will communicate with you about your child’s day-to-day experiences in the facility.

Moving Forward

You will receive regular updates on your child’s progress and will be able to call and visit your child at scheduled times. You will be involved in future TDMs and able to participate in a range of activities to encourage you and provide support throughout your child’s commitment and their safe return home. All DYRS team members are a resource and will strive to maintain a loving, safe, and secure environment for every youth in our care.