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States for change

Selected for their leadership and commitment to change, and likelihood to influence reforms

Four core states work on system-wide change, and 12 additional Action Network states focus on specific issues.

US map highlighting states for change

Action networks

Collaborations involving several state and local partners working to advance targeted juvenile justice reform issues.

Federal commitment offers welcomed support to local initiatives to promote racial and ethnic fairness

May 28, 2009

Governor Quinn signs state program

As local Models for Change demonstration sites show how juvenile justice systems can be more just for all youth, federal officials are now pledging their leadership in reducing disproportionate minority contact within the juvenile justice system. At a recent meeting of the Models for Change DMC Action Network, Acting Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Delinquency and Prevention (OJJDP), Jeff Slowikowski, told the gathering that the Administration plans to build on local accomplishments to provide the national leadership necessary to ensure fairer juvenile justice systems.

Juvenile justice improvements approved by Illinois General Assembly

June 23, 2009

The Illinois General Assembly has approved two pieces of legislation aimed at improving the state's juvenile justice system. Both bills are in line with the Models for Change core principles of fundamental fairness and recognize the need to help young people realize their full potential.


TeamChild's Indigent Defense Project: Improving Legal Representation for Youth

June 17, 2009

The defense attorney plays a key role impacting the outcome of a youth's court experience. The better trained an attorney is in juvenile proceedings, the stronger an advocate he or she will be for the youth. To ensure fundamental fairness and improved outcomes for justice-involved youth, TeamChild, a state partner in Washington Models for Change, has made progressive strides and shown great promise in its efforts to facilitate statewide training, collaboration and leadership for attorneys who represent indigent youth in juvenile offender matters.


Events Suggest an event »

Jul

10

Medical Director Boot Camp

1:00 pm–5:00 pm, Seattle, WA, Seattle WA

Jul

12

Correctional Mental Health Seminar

9 am–4 pm, Grand Hyatt Seattle, Seattle WA

Jul

12

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Annual Conference

Chicago, IL

Jul

14

National Resource Bank Meeting

Loews Philadelphia Hotel, Philadelphia PA

More events »

Directory

States for change: Strategic states selected for their leadership and commitment to change:

Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

Action Networks: Collaborations involving several state and local partners working to advance targeted juvenile justice reform issues:

Disproportionate Minority Contact,
Juvenile Indigent Defense, and
Mental Health/Juvenile Justice.

National Resource Bank: Leading organizations that provide expert advice, training, and technical assistance to the core states and Action Networks.

Browse the directory »

Models for Change is a national initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to accelerate reform of juvenile justice systems across the country. Focused on efforts in select states, the initiative aims to create replicable models for reform that effectively hold young people accountable for their actions, provide for their rehabilitation, protect them from harm, increase their life chances, and manage the risk they pose to themselves and to public safety. More »

Publications

Photo America's Invisible Children: Latino Youth and the Failure of Justice
From the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the Campaign for Youth…
Photo Supporting Youth in Transition to Adulthood: Lessons Learned from Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice
Explores how the child welfare and juvenile justice systems can better…
Photo Redeploy Illinois Annual Report Impact and Implementation 2008
Documents how four Redeploy Illinois pilot programs reduced commitments to…

More publications »

Newsroom

50/50: The Odds of Graduating
7/1/2009 by IL WBEZ
Making a difference: New board to help tackle juvenile-offender problem
6/10/2009 by Town Talk
by Karina Donica
Judge Patricia Koch Sworn into Neighborhood Accountability Board (NAB)
6/9/2009 by NBC KALB

More from the newsroom »