This study is an investigation into the staff at Michigan juvenile detention facilities regarding awareness of and compliance with state and federal laws which involve the process for screening those suspected of having a disability, the programs and services offered to students with special needs, and larger issues that may be hindering progress in these areas. Directors and assistant directors of all of the detention facilities in the state of Michigan were sent an online survey, with the request that it be forwarded to all staff as well. Questions included those seeking basic demographic data, services available, staff qualifications, barriers to success, and ideas for improvement of current educational practices. It was hypothesized that services in these areas would be revealed as lacking, given the flexibility of legislation and staff’s limited awareness of accommodations necessary for individuals with special needs. Twenty-seven surveys were returned and responses varied greatly. While many limitations were expressed among those that responded (quality of rehabilitation and education services, funding, qualifications of direct care staff, and family involvement), many also had far more services offered and options for youth with special needs than expected (availability of special education programs and educators and training opportunities available for teaching staff).
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