Skip To Main Content

district-nav-container

district-nav

district-nav-container

district-nav

Justice-Engaged Student Support

Douglas County School District Re-1, through the Student Assistance Department, is dedicated to ensuring that every student, including those involved with the juvenile or criminal justice system, has access to educational opportunities. DCSD recognizes the unique challenges faced by justice-engaged students and has implemented various supports to address their needs aligned with the Justice-Engaged Youth in Education Act of 2024 (HB 24-1216). 

Designated Point-of-Contact

For support regarding justice-engaged students, please contact:

Luke Simington
At-Risk Consultant & Court Liaison

Justice-engaged youth have the right to a graduation and promotion plan, appropriate credit for coursework completed while justice-engaged, and prompt enrollment or re-enrollment following a request. Once a student is eligible to enroll, the school, with the support of the District’s designated point-of-contact listed above, will help ensure a pathway to graduation and access to mental health support if appropriate and available. Examples of support include, but are not limited to:

  • Support from a Re-Engagement Specialist 
  • Academic: College and Career Planning, plan to support credit acquisition towards graduation, consultation for additional academic supports (as needed)
  • Mental Health: School-based or referral to outside providers
  • Alternative programming options and alternative solutions to a diploma or GED

Justice-Engaged Student’s Bill of Rights

C.R.S. 22-108-103: HB 24-1216 establishes the following bill of rights for justice engaged students.

With respect to education, a justice-engaged student has the right to:

  • Provision of alternative solutions to a general education, including, but not limited to, appropriate available alternate education programs.
  • Prompt enrollment or re-enrollment no later than 10 business days after the first request to the local education provider, so long as the student is eligible for enrollment, as determined by the local education provider.
  • Appropriate credit for coursework completed while justice-engaged, and for that coursework to be applied toward graduation or school continuation.
  • A plan for graduation, developed with the justice-engaged student, the student's family, caregiver or advocate and clarify requirements to allow the student to complete the high school graduation requirements at the earliest possible date. A clearly defined and documented plan for graduation upon re-entry, reenrollment, or continuation with a local education provider.
  • Privacy, including privacy when related to diversion, probation or questioning about a crime at a local education provider and not in view of the student’s peers.
  • Protection by the federal "Individuals with Disabilities Act", section 504 of the federal "Rehabilitation Act of 1973", applicable foster care regulations, and the federal "McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act".
  • Create evidence of and be evaluated for giftedness.
  • Participation in school activities or career readiness pathways in accordance with rules promulgated by the State Board.

 

The Student Assistance Department of DCSD has been awarded a $975,000 grant to support youth involved in the juvenile justice system. This funding will provide a comprehensive continuum of care designed to re-engage students through personalized case management and mentoring, academic and post-secondary planning, credit recovery, evidence-based curriculum, and culturally responsive practices.

The dedicated support team leading this initiative includes:

Noah Rodriguez: Re-Engagement Specialist for Juvenile Justice

Lisa Henkel: At-Risk Teacher