2011 Second Chance

Illinois Department of Human Services
Division of Family & Community Services

Program Description

Target

Second Chance provides services to male youth age 17 1/2 and younger, with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems that are being released from secure correctional facilities to Cook County.

Eligibility Criteria

Male youth with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems who are being released from secure correctional facilities to Cook, Lake, or Will counties

Purpose

The purpose of the program is to provide individualized, comprehensive aftercare planning and services for high-risk, high need youth that will support them as they transition from incarceration into the community.

Services

Illinois Second Chance will create a reentry infrastructure that incorporates evidence-based intervention techniques and community-based health and human services, beginning two months prior to release and continuing four months post-release. A partnership between the IDHS and IDJJ will provide each youth with an aftercare plan that addresses the individual and his family's assessed needs, provides a service based case plan, and identifies the community placement requirements.

Illinois Second Chance will use Family Integrated Transitions (FIT) as the primary strategy to reduce recidivism among juvenile offenders with mental health and chemical dependency disorders.

Delivery Method

Second Chance services are currently delivered by 2 community based agencies in Cook County.

Program Data

Program Data SYF11
Program Expenditures (Numbers in 000's) $28,894.0
Number of Grantees 2
Number Served 0

NOTE: The Second Chance program did not begin until late in FY11. The grantees received training in the evidence based model in FY11.

Program Accomplishments

  • The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is piloting real system changes that will improve reentry services for youth.
  • Youth with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health issues are receiving individualized reentry services that would otherwise be unavailable.
  • Identified FIT youth are transferred to a reentry wing of IYC Chicago, 60 days prior to release. They begin working with their aftercare specialist and FIT coaches to prepare for reentry. The services continue for an additional 4 months after release.