Evaluation of Workforce-Focused Programming for Probation Youth in Los Angeles County

Workforce programming for justice-involved youth in Los Angeles is funded by provisions of the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act. This programming aims to prevent recidivism and lower youths' risk of contact with the justice system. In interviewing the leadership and staff of workforce programs, the authors found that, overall, the programs were considered enticing and beneficial to youth in juvenile camps and halls. However, interviewees noted some challenges. Youth in camps and halls often experience barriers to fully completing the program, and they are limited by the need to achieve and maintain eligibility for the program. Additionally, coordination of the Los Angeles County Probation Department and workforce program systems presents challenges for youth transitioning from detained settings to community settings, which can include long referral times and a subsequent loss of engagement with youth. Interviewees also noted that few probation youth in community settings participate in the programs because of a lack of referrals, competing priorities (e.g., school, friends), disinterest, and community risk factors (e.g., safety).

To address these challenges, the authors recommend: (1) improving the process of connecting eligible youth to the program during the camp-to-community transition process, (2) systematizing and improving coordination between the Probation Department and the county's Department of Economic Opportunity, (3) allowing youth to participate while they procure documents needed for employment, and, if needed, (4) expanding the program to include at-promise youth.