States for Change

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania combines a justifiable pride in the quality of its juvenile justice system with a strong consensus among stakeholders regarding areas where it can be made better. As is summarized in a report released in connection with the formal launch of Models for Change in Pennsylvania, the state has already shown the way in lots of areas—developing stable and sensible funding streams for youth services, giving juvenile court professionals a voice in law and policy-making, expanding community-based alternatives to incarceration, and using evidence-based interventions with delinquent youth. With support from Models for Change, Pennsylvania hopes to build on these and other strengths to become an exemplary system.

Models for Change in Pennsylvania is focusing on bringing about change in three areas that the state’s leadership has already identified as reform priorities: (1) the coordination of the mental health and juvenile justice systems, (2) the system of aftercare services and supports, and (3) disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system. While the work is carried out statewide, pilot projects in eight counties are currently demonstrating best practices in these areas.

For a detailed overview of the work plan for the Pennsylvania Models for Change initiative, click here. A current profile of the juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania is available here.

Models for Change efforts are being coordinated in Pennsylvania by the Juvenile Law Center, a Philadelphia-based public interest law firm that has been advocating for children in jeopardy since 1975. The Juvenile Law Center makes current information and documents relating to the work available here. For more information, contact Pennsylvania project manager Autumn Dickman at (215) 625-0551 or Adickman@jlc.org.

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