Rick Tekip
Rick Tekip. Cook County Juvenile Probation Equip for Equality Consortium February 26, 2014. Why Education Advocacy?. PO’s goal to help overcome obstacles to success EAU proposed by POs who noticed 1. students leaving JTDC struggled to get back into school
Rick Tekip
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Presentation Transcript
Rick Tekip Cook County Juvenile Probation Equip for Equality Consortium February 26, 2014
Why Education Advocacy? • PO’s goal to help overcome obstacles to success • EAU proposed by POs who noticed 1. students leaving JTDC struggled to get back into school 2. students who did not get back into school risked re- detention 3. families struggled to navigate issues surrounding special education & discipline/expulsion
Education Advocacy’s 4 Main Functions • Re-entry • School Placement • Special Education • Discipline/Expulsions • Most often, challenges and needs of students are cross-categorical
Challenges • Resistance/Sabotage from parents • No available parent/guardian • Resistance from students • Pushback or lack of knowledge from schools • Knowing what’s out there & keeping track (laws, policies, individual school guidelines) • Gang issues/boundaries • Repeated arrests/VOPs/detentions (back and forth to NBJ) • Gaps in school attendance • Unique situations • Staff shortages and caseload considerations
Challenges • Resistance/Sabotage from Parents • Danny’s Survey • Amari’s Case • Resistance from Students • Karlester’s Case • Gang Issues/Boundaries • Ramon, Manuel & Christian’s case • Does not only mean leaving the neighborhood
Challenges • Pushback or Lack of Knowledge from Schools • Key to effective networking/relationship with schools • Natoria’s case
Challenges • Knowing what’s out there & keeping track (laws, policies, individual school guidelines)
Challenges • Unique situations • Can be time-consuming & challenging, but a learning experience • Wei’s case • Gaps in School Attendance—Excessive Truancy • Gabrielle’s case • Staff Shortages & Caseload Considerations
Important Traits for Dealing with Challenging Situations • Networking • Confidence • Communication • Patience & Understanding • Kindness & Professionalism • Remaining Firm • Adhering to Confidentiality but remaining honest • Be open-minded
Patience & Understanding • Most importantly, be patient with YOURSELF • Pressures coming from families, court, bosses----forget about it and take your time
Patience & Understanding • Be patient & understanding with your families • There’s history behind what they present • They don’t know the system
Contact Information Richard (Rick) Tekip Cook County Juvenile Probation 1100 S. Hamilton Chicago, Illinois 60612 312-433-5497 Richard.tekip@cookcountyil.gov
