Mi Hermana’s Keeper Toolkit - Outcomes Of The Family Keys Program

Developed by MANY member agency Southwest Key Programs, the recently released Mi Hermana’s Keeper Toolkit is a promising practice guide that was developed based on a qualitative research study of the outcomes of the Family Keys Program, an OJJDP Best Practice Model created by Southwest to keep Latina youth from becoming formally involved with the juvenile justice system. The Mi Hermana’s Keeper Toolkit is for service providers, program administrators, researchers, policy analysts, and key stakeholders who are supporting Latina youth in prevention programs that aim to decrease the number of youth being referred to or placed in the juvenile justice system. This promising practices toolkit reflects the mission of Southwest Key Programs, “opening doors to opportunity so individuals can achieve their dreams” as well as the organization’s vision that “every person has an opportunity to thrive in a community that fosters success and social equity.” Mi Hermana’s Keeper Toolkit is a response to the White House’s Initiative, My Brother’s Keeper, which addresses persistent opportunity gaps faced by young men of color and works to ensure that all young people can reach their full potential. This initiative, along with subsequent calls-to-action for the inclusion of women and girls, has inspired this toolkit to support Latina youth who have been or are at risk of being involved with the juvenile justice system. Mi Hermana’s Keeper aims to prioritize the perspectives and experiences of these Latina youth and to contribute to a system of care that thoughtfully honors and addresses their needs. The toolkit provides effective culturally responsive practices for prevention programs supporting Latina youth who are at risk of placement in juvenile detention including recommendations, action steps for each recommendation, and targeted resources. Each recommendation and the corresponding action steps are included in a checklist that prevention programs can use to support direct practice, programming, and system changes. Through community-based participatory research, the toolkit is grounded in the voices of Latina youth, their caregivers, and key community stakeholders. To access this important and well-researched resource, click here. To learn more about MANY member agency Southwest Key Programs, click here.