SJP Client Story — Jerome Gets a New School! 06.21.24

When SJP staff first met with new client Jerome in the first days of June 2024, he had been incarcerated at the DC Jail for a few weeks. Jerome was referred to SJP by his defense attorneys because he was navigating a difficult court situation and was an 18-year-old student with special education needs who had not yet graduated from high school. SJP quickly conducted an intake with Jerome and learned about his past difficulties with high school as a student with multiple disabilities. Despite these difficulties, it was clear that Jerome was eager to return to school, graduate with his diploma, and eventually go to college to pursue social work.  

Jerome’s defense attorneys were planning to advocate for Jerome’s release at his upcoming preliminary hearing and requested SJP’s assistance because they believed that education advocacy was going to play a large role in getting Jerome home. SJP staff worked rapidly to build an educational plan for Jerome to ensure there was a release plan in place. In less than a week, SJP staff initiated enrollment procedures at two different charter schools to ensure that Jerome had options at an appropriate school placement. SJP attended Jerome’s preliminary hearing, prepared to explain Jerome’s motivation to get back into school, what our education plan was, and advocate for his release along with Jerome’s defense attorney. The judge decided in Jerome’s favor and he was released from the DC Jail and reunited with his family.

Within a week of Jerome’s release, SJP worked with him to complete his enrollment at one of the two charter schools that we previously initiated enrollment proceedings at. With input from Jerome, we ultimately narrowed it down to a school that focuses on individualized, non-traditional education styles. The flexible schedules and student-centered mission will help Jerome structure his schedule in a way that will allow him to be there for his children and work towards his high school diploma while meeting his needs. SJP was also able to help Jerome complete his remaining prerequisites for DC’s Marion Berry Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). With our assistance, his acceptance into the Program was finalized and we helped him fulfill his desire to begin working a summer job before the upcoming school year starts. Jerome is eager to get started on both his summer job and get back on track towards his high school diploma!

SJP will continue to work with Jerome as he transitions to a new school, and will advocate for him at school meetings and upcoming court hearings.