About the Project

This project centers on understanding and supporting the needs of caregivers and families of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Caregivers often experience their own trauma, stress, and behavioral health challenges, which can make it harder for them to navigate complex systems and ensure their children receive needed care. Through in-depth interviews and surveys, the study explores caregivers’ experiences—what helps or hinders them in accessing mental health and substance use services for their children, how stigma and discrimination affect their engagement, and what types of supports would make family-based services more accessible and responsive. By amplifying caregiver voices, the project aims to guide the development of programs that strengthen family well-being, promote trust between families and the justice system, and ensure that youth and caregivers receive coordinated, compassionate care that addresses the needs of the whole family