The Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative (Right Turn) provides a career development process for youth that are involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.

Career Development Process for Youth

Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration (DOL-ETA) and led by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), Right Turn is being implemented in high-crime and high-poverty communities across the country by non-profit and local organizations with expertise in career development, education, mentoring, youth development, juvenile justice, and disability.

Right Turn provides individualized education, training, and workforce development opportunities by engaging youth in a three-phase career development process that includes self-exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management. Youth meet regularly with program staff, mentors, and other caring adults to develop and implement an Individualized Career Development Plan (ICDP). Through weekly goal-setting based on each youth’s ICDP, Right Turn promotes employment, continued learning opportunities, and independent living.

Through this process, all youth will: identify their personal strengths and interests; learn about specific careers through employer guest speakers, informational interviews, and workplace visits; complete soft skills training; obtain hands-on work experience through summer jobs, internships, employment, and restorative justice projects; set and achieve education and training goals that align with personal career goals such as obtaining a high school diploma or GED, earning an industry-recognized credential, or pursuing postsecondary education; and receive ongoing support from case managers, mentors, and other caring adults.

Right Turn is based on a number of IEL-created foundational materials, as well as IEL’s experience operating the youth career-focused mentoring model, the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP).

 

Program Outcomes

Right Turn’s strength-based approach and career-focused design helps court-involved youth transform their lives. Right Turn participants reenroll in school, graduate from school, earn industry-recognized credentials, get jobs, and avoid reentering the system.  The impact of Right Turn goes far beyond performance measures. In communities across the country Right Turn sites have also seen the following:

  • Changed identities: Youth involved in the juvenile justice system are often seen as a detriment to themselves and thier community. Right Turn’s emphasis on careers and restorative justice helps youth redefine themselves.
  • New skills: Right Turn helps youth earn degrees and industry recognized credentials to demonstrate their value in the workplace.
  • Connections to work: Right Turn sites partner with employers and post-secondary education to get youth work experience, marketable skills, and jobs!

The first cohort of sites for Right Turn served 1,015 youth in 5 communities across the country (Los Angeles, Houston, Nashville, Louisville, and Lansing). Some of the key results include:

enrollment rate
0 %
attained a high school degree or equivalent
0 %
placed in skills training, post-secondary opportunities, the military, or jobs
0 %
remained in school at 12 month follow-up
0 %
received an industry recognized credential
0 %
of program participants recidivated
0 %

Success Stories

Robert - A Culinary Arts Career In Chicago

At the age of 13, Robert’s mother faded from the picture due to her battle with drug addiction. As a result, Robert was forced to live with his grandparents, who wanted to support and provide for Robert but lacked the financial resources needed to care for another person. In an effort to assist his grandparents, Robert became involved in drug trafficking. The money Robert was able to make in short periods of time was appealing to him. Selling drugs and making money became his main concern for four years. Robert was charged multiple times for possession and intent to sell. “The habit was a hard one to break” he explained to his mentor.

When Robert enrolled in the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Program at Lawrence Hall Youth Services in Chicago IL, he was given a Case Manager and matched with a Right Turn mentor. Robert worked with his Right Turn Case Manager to create an Individualized Career Development Plan and establish his goals. He planned to graduate high school, attain employment, work toward a certification, and gain experience in the food industry. Robert’s overall goal was to attend the Culinary Arts program at Harold Washington Community College within 2 years of graduating high school. Robert struggled with attendance during his senior year… to the point where his diploma was in jeopardy. His Right Turn mentor worked with him to schedule weekly face-to-face meetings in school and followed up with all of his teachers. After much hard work, Robert successfully graduated in June 2016. His next goal was employment. Robert was able to successfully attain temporary employment with potential permanency through a summer program called One Summer Chicago. This was very exciting for him, not only because it was his first job, but also because it offered a link to the culinary industry--with an Assistant Cook position at a local restaurant. However, Robert found that his bi-weekly stipend wasn’t enough to support both him and his grandparents, so his case manager collaborated with a Lawrence Hall employer to find him another position that would allow him to earn more money. With the two part-time positions, Robert was able to slowly stop drug trafficking. By the end of the summer in 2016, Robert earned his Food Safety certification and became a full time employee at Potbelly Sandwich Company.

During his time at Right Turn, Robert graduated high school, held two part-time jobs, stopped selling drugs, gained full-time employment, and earned a food safety certification. In Summer 2017, Robert had been working at Potbelly for a year and was promoted to shift lead (supervisor) at his location. If he continues on the management track, Robert can become a store manager at another store within as little as a year. Robert’s Right Turn follow-up plan includes maintaining employment and enrolling into his Culinary Arts program before the end of 2017.

Heather - Developing Independence In Lansing

When Heather was referred to the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Program at Peckham Inc in Lansing, MI in November 2016, she was on juvenile probation for assault and battery. Though Heather initially resided with her mother, aunt, and cousins, the family received an eviction notice just as Heather came to the program and was evicted once again from a home at the end of March 2017. Heather’s family continuously struggled with addiction, numerous evictions, and other hardships which essentially forced Helen to take care of herself at a young age. She was homeless and budgeting her money to save up for a vehicle and apartment.

When Heather began working with the Right Turn program, she worked with her Right Turn Case Manager to create an Individualized Career Development Plan and set goals for herself such as finding employment, becoming independent, and continuing to do well in high school. Heather got a job at McDonalds which she has maintained for over 6 months. She recently shared that she was interested in becoming a manager at McDonalds and successfully completed a Customer Service certification program to help her excel in her job. Heather and her Case Manager also began researching emancipation because Heather wanted to live on her own but she did not know how to begin the process. Through the Right Turn program, Heather has received many supportive services to gain her independence including getting her birth certificate, getting her State ID, and filing for emancipation. Right Turn also provided Heather with the opportunity to go through the first segment of Driver’s Education, which she completed and earned her Driver’s Permit.

Due to her steady employment and other positive steps, Heather has been released from probation and has been making prosocial decisions. Her emancipation hearing was held on May 17, 2017 and due to her steady work and housing, she was successfully emancipated. Heather has achieved so much during her time at Right Turn – employment, driver’s license, completing probation, and achieving emancipation. Heather’s future ICDP goals include graduating from high school, pursuing a career in cosmetology, and/or working in sales. All of the challenges and obstacles that Heather has overcome have shaped her into the strong and independent young woman she is today. She is not afraid to ask for help if she needs it, is a wonderful advocate for herself, and is driven to do great things in the future. It has been a pleasure working with Heather in the Right Turn program – her Case Manager and the other Right Turn staff can’t wait to see what she does next.

Robert - A Culinary Arts Career In Chicago

At the age of 13, Robert’s mother faded from the picture due to her battle with drug addiction. As a result, Robert was forced to live with his grandparents, who wanted to support and provide for Robert but lacked the financial resources needed to care for another person. In an effort to assist his grandparents, Robert became involved in drug trafficking. The money Robert was able to make in short periods of time was appealing to him. Selling drugs and making money became his main concern for four years. Robert was charged multiple times for possession and intent to sell. “The habit was a hard one to break” he explained to his mentor.

When Robert enrolled in the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Program at Lawrence Hall Youth Services in Chicago IL, he was given a Case Manager and matched with a Right Turn mentor. Robert worked with his Right Turn Case Manager to create an Individualized Career Development Plan and establish his goals. He planned to graduate high school, attain employment, work toward a certification, and gain experience in the food industry. Robert’s overall goal was to attend the Culinary Arts program at Harold Washington Community College within 2 years of graduating high school. Robert struggled with attendance during his senior year… to the point where his diploma was in jeopardy. His Right Turn mentor worked with him to schedule weekly face-to-face meetings in school and followed up with all of his teachers. After much hard work, Robert successfully graduated in June 2016. His next goal was employment. Robert was able to successfully attain temporary employment with potential permanency through a summer program called One Summer Chicago. This was very exciting for him, not only because it was his first job, but also because it offered a link to the culinary industry--with an Assistant Cook position at a local restaurant. However, Robert found that his bi-weekly stipend wasn’t enough to support both him and his grandparents, so his case manager collaborated with a Lawrence Hall employer to find him another position that would allow him to earn more money. With the two part-time positions, Robert was able to slowly stop drug trafficking. By the end of the summer in 2016, Robert earned his Food Safety certification and became a full time employee at Potbelly Sandwich Company.

During his time at Right Turn, Robert graduated high school, held two part-time jobs, stopped selling drugs, gained full-time employment, and earned a food safety certification. In Summer 2017, Robert had been working at Potbelly for a year and was promoted to shift lead (supervisor) at his location. If he continues on the management track, Robert can become a store manager at another store within as little as a year. Robert’s Right Turn follow-up plan includes maintaining employment and enrolling into his Culinary Arts program before the end of 2017.

Heather - Developing Independence In Lansing

When Heather was referred to the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Program at Peckham Inc in Lansing, MI in November 2016, she was on juvenile probation for assault and battery. Though Heather initially resided with her mother, aunt, and cousins, the family received an eviction notice just as Heather came to the program and was evicted once again from a home at the end of March 2017. Heather’s family continuously struggled with addiction, numerous evictions, and other hardships which essentially forced Helen to take care of herself at a young age. She was homeless and budgeting her money to save up for a vehicle and apartment.

When Heather began working with the Right Turn program, she worked with her Right Turn Case Manager to create an Individualized Career Development Plan and set goals for herself such as finding employment, becoming independent, and continuing to do well in high school. Heather got a job at McDonalds which she has maintained for over 6 months. She recently shared that she was interested in becoming a manager at McDonalds and successfully completed a Customer Service certification program to help her excel in her job. Heather and her Case Manager also began researching emancipation because Heather wanted to live on her own but she did not know how to begin the process. Through the Right Turn program, Heather has received many supportive services to gain her independence including getting her birth certificate, getting her State ID, and filing for emancipation. Right Turn also provided Heather with the opportunity to go through the first segment of Driver’s Education, which she completed and earned her Driver’s Permit.

Due to her steady employment and other positive steps, Heather has been released from probation and has been making prosocial decisions. Her emancipation hearing was held on May 17, 2017 and due to her steady work and housing, she was successfully emancipated. Heather has achieved so much during her time at Right Turn – employment, driver’s license, completing probation, and achieving emancipation. Heather’s future ICDP goals include graduating from high school, pursuing a career in cosmetology, and/or working in sales. All of the challenges and obstacles that Heather has overcome have shaped her into the strong and independent young woman she is today. She is not afraid to ask for help if she needs it, is a wonderful advocate for herself, and is driven to do great things in the future. It has been a pleasure working with Heather in the Right Turn program – her Case Manager and the other Right Turn staff can’t wait to see what she does next.

Foundational Resources

Individualized Career Development Plan

IEL developed the Individualized Career Development Plan (ICDP) for the Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative. It is based on IEL’s work and experiences with the Individualized Mentoring Plan (see below) and Individualized Learning Plans. The ICDP helps young people through three phases: self-exploration, career exploration, and career planning and management.

READ MORE

Individualized Learning Plans Fact Sheet

An individualized learning plan is both a document and a process that students use – with support from school counselors, teachers, and parents – to define their career goals and post-secondary plans in order to inform the student’s decisions about their courses and activities throughout high school. This fact sheet also contains information about the three career-development phases incorporated in Right Turn.

READ MORE

Ready To Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP)

The Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program is IEL’s career-focused mentoring transition model. Currently operated in 10 states and the District of Columbia, 12 different organizations have served over 1500 youth since fall 2009. RAMP is a high-tech, career-focused mentoring program for youth involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system.

Read More

Start typing and press enter to search

Scroll to Top