Special Education Advocacy in the Juvenile Justice System: Probation Officer Perspectives

Research Summary 

Title: Special Education Advocacy in the Juvenile Justice system: Perspectives from probation officers  

Purpose: Special education advocacy may be a way to reduce recidivism and ensure the receipt of appropriate services among adjudicated youth with disabilities. Yet, little research has examined how advocacy may be conducted among adjudicated youth with disabilities. In this study, we aimed to: examine the strategies and barriers to advocacy among probation officers.     

Method: We conducted individual interviews with eight probation officers in an Advocacy Unit of a juvenile justice system.  

Findings:

  • Participants advocated in several ways:  
  • Conducting proper documentation 
  • Collaborating with stakeholders 
  • Being assertive 
  • Using creative strategies 
  • Participants faced several barriers to advocacy:  
  • School refusing to cooperate 
  • Working with older youth 
  • Systemic obstacles to parent involvement 

For more information, see:  

Burke, M.M., & Dalmage, H. (2016). Special education advocacy in the juvenile  

justice system: Perspectives from probation officers. Exceptionality, 24, 151-164. 

DOI: 10.1080/09362835.2015.1064413