MacArthur Foundation

Juvenile Justice Grantmaking

Background and History

The MacArthur Research Network onAdolescent Development and Juvenile Justice

Models for Change:

Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice

MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile JusticeLong-Term Goals

To improve decision-making in the juvenile and criminal

justice systems with better and more complete knowledge

about adolescent development

To improve court and corrections practices affecting

youthful offenders

To inform policy debates about the appropriate treatment of

juvenile offenders and the future of juvenile justice

To inform the public discussion about juvenile crime

Focal Issues

Adjudicative competence of adolescents in the

Juvenile

and Criminal Justice systems

Actual and perceived criminal culpability of youth

Risk, amenability, and desistance among serious

juvenile offenders

The goal is to create

a new wave of juvenile justice reform

by producing system-wide change

in multiple states

that others will learn from

and emulate.

National Resource Bank

Center for Children’s Law and Policy Child Welfare League of America Coalition for Juvenile Justice Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators Justice Policy Institute Juvenile Law Center National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice National Council of La Raza National Juvenile Defender Center National Mental Health Association National Youth Screening Assistance Project

Pennsylvania — 2004

Lead entity –

Juvenile Law Center

Targeted areas of improvement (TAI)

Mental health-juvenile justice

coordination

Aftercare

Disproportionate minority contact (DMC)

Strengths, assets, and risks

Pennsylvania Pilot Counties and Targeted Areas of Improvement

ILLINOIS — 2005

Lead entity –

Loyola University Chicago and coordinating council

Targeted areas of improvement (TAI) Community-based alternative sanctions and services Juvenile court jurisdiction Disproportionate minority contact (DMC)

Strengths, assets, and risks

The Children’s Home Association of Illinois

DuPage County Juvenile Justice Council

The 2nd Judicial Circuit: Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White counties

Youth Outreach Services/Cook County Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative

Ogle County Probation Department

LOUISIANA — 2006

Lead entity –

Louisiana Board of Regents

Targeted areas of improvement (TAI) Alternatives to formal processing and

secure confinement Evidence-based practice Disproportionate minority contact (DMC)

Strengths, assets, and risks

WASHINGTON — 2006

Lead entity — Center for Children and Youth Justice

Possible targeted areas of improvement (TAI) Mental health Systems integration Indigent defense bar Diversion Status offenders Disproportionate minority contact (DMC)

Strengths, assets, and risks

Five Vital Signs

1. Fairness – measured by reduced racial disparities and access

to qualified counsel

2. Recognition of Juvenile-Adult Differences – measured by reduced

transfer to adult criminal court

3. Successful Engagement – measured by increased participation

in education, rehabilitation, and treatment services

4. Community Safety – measured by lower recidivism rates

5. Diversion – measured by reduced reliance on incarceration as

well

as increased use of community-based alternative sanctions

Advancing the Models

Building an evidence baseSelect bellwether statesDevelop and test tools to support reformDocument, assess and understand the process of changeCreate new knowledge

Creating interest and demandUnderstand how innovation travels through information and technical assistanceEstablish issue networks on DMC and mental health