Washington
Washington was selected as the fourth Models for Change state for its use of evidence-based interventions, its application of program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis techniques to juvenile justice policy-making, and the progress it has made in combating disproportionate minority contact and integrating juvenile justice programs with child welfare and mental health services.
Models for Change worked to transform the juvenile justice system by focusing on expanding alternatives to formal processing and secure confinement, primarily focusing on status offenders, reducing racial and ethnic disparities, and improving the way the system identifies and responds to youth with mental health needs.
In addition to these strategic areas of reform, Models for Change supported reforms in enhancing the quality of legal representation in delinquency cases and improving overall coordination among youth-serving systems.
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Contact
Washington's Models for Change work is coordinated by Center for Children & Youth Justice, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing justice for and enhancing the lives of children and youth through juvenile justice, child welfare, and related systems reform in Washington state. To learn more about Models for Change work in Washington, or how to support juvenile justice reform work in the state, contact Michael Curtis at: MLCurtis@ccyj.org.