About Models for Change

Participating States

Up to $10 million in grants will be awarded over a five-year period to support juvenile justice reform in each of four Models for Change states. These states were chosen after a competitive selection process based on a number of criteria, including political and fiscal commitment to change, support for change both inside and outside the juvenile justice system, and the likelihood that other states will follow their lead. States from different regions—with diverse traditions, political cultures, organizational structures, needs and challenges—were deliberately chosen, in order to demonstrate system change from a range of starting points and under a variety of conditions.

Pennsylvania

A traditional bellwether on juvenile justice matters, Pennsylvania was the first state chosen for Models for Change work. With a favorable reform climate, strong public-private partnerships, and considerable consensus on juvenile justice, Pennsylvania seems poised to become an exemplary system.

Illinois

Ongoing reform efforts of national significance, together with community and civic engagement, potential for collaboration, and readiness for change at many points in its juvenile justice system, made Illinois the second Models for Change state.

Louisiana

The choice of Louisiana as the third Models for Change state is due to a combination of factors, including the remarkable progress the state has made since the 1990s in improving its juvenile justice system, and the determination of its political leadership to build on that progress.

Washington

Washington was selected as the fourth Models for Change state primarily because of its record and prominence in several areas important to the initiative—including its use of evidence-based interventions with juvenile offenders, its application of program evaluation and cost-benefit analysis techniques to juvenile justice policymaking, and the progress it has made in combating disproportionate minority contact and integrating juvenile justice programs with child welfare and mental health services.

Issue-Focused Sites

In addition to the four focus states, Models for Change has recruited other state and local jurisdictions into “action networks.” With support from the Foundation and the assistance of Models for Change partners, action networks are focusing on bringing about change in particular issue areas—including the eradication of racial disparities in the juvenile justice system and the development of better means of treating and diverting court-involved youth with mental health needs.

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