Abstract
Children in conflict with the law (CICL)are those who have committed crimes thatneed to be investigated and tried in juvenilecourts. Despite this, they have the legal rightto education and rehabilitation services asstipulated in Republic Act 9344 (JuvenileJustice Welfare Act of 2006) and the Child andYouth Welfare Code of the Philippines. Therehabilitation of youth offenders includes theirparticipation in transition programs. Transitionprograms and services refer to a coordinatedset of activities for a student, designed withinan outcome oriented process that promotesmovement from school to post-school activities(Pierangelo 2004). The Philippine Model ofTransition by Quijano (2007) envisions fullparticipation, empowerment and productivity ofthose enrolled in special education programs,the output of which is community involvementthrough employment. In this model, there is aneed for support from professionals and otherkey people in the community in order for theindividual with special needs to attainindependent living. For children in youthrehabilitation centers, they are prepared toengage in productive activities after they haveserved their sentences.This study focuses on the CICL whoare currently serving their sentences whilereceiving basic education and vocationaltraining in a youth rehabilitation centercatering to students from 15 to 21 years old.Utilizing a mixed methods design, quantitativemeasures on intelligence quotient and careerpreferences were obtained using the CultureFair Intelligence Test (CFIT) and the BrainardOccupational Preference Inventory (BOPI),respectively. Qualitative measures utilized wereinterviews which yielded results in detailingcareer aspirations, career influences and plansof the subjects after their release.
