Strategies and TipsStrategies and TipsEstablishing or Enhancing Establishing or Enhancing

a a Youth Justice programYouth Justice program

Teen Court, Youth Court, Peer Court, Teen Court, Youth Court, Peer Court, Student Court and Youth Peer Panels.Student Court and Youth Peer Panels.

Global Youth JusticeGlobal Youth Justicewww.GlobalYouthJustice.org

The R-TORR ApproachThe R-TORR Approach

Use the R-TORR Approach for Youth Use the R-TORR Approach for Youth and Adult Volunteer Managementand Adult Volunteer ManagementR-TORR =R-TORR =RecruitRecruitTrainTrainOrganizeOrganizeRecognizeRecognizeRetainRetain

Sign up for the freeSign up for the freeGlobal Youth Justice e-News.Global Youth Justice e-News.

Log on to the Global Youth Justice website and click on Log on to the Global Youth Justice website and click on the free subscribe button at the bottom of the page and the free subscribe button at the bottom of the page and sign up for the world’s largest monthly e-News on Youth sign up for the world’s largest monthly e-News on Youth Courts, Teen Courts, Peer Courts, Student Courts and Courts, Teen Courts, Peer Courts, Student Courts and Youth Peer Panels.Youth Peer Panels.

Encourage your advisory board, funders, adult and youth Encourage your advisory board, funders, adult and youth volunteers, stakeholders, program staff, advisory/board volunteers, stakeholders, program staff, advisory/board members and others to sign up for this free e-News.members and others to sign up for this free e-News.

Utilize this monthly update for obtaining new ideas from Utilize this monthly update for obtaining new ideas from other programs around the globe and grant information. other programs around the globe and grant information.

Share your local, state, national and international news Share your local, state, national and international news and ideas.and ideas.

Pass it on to your youth - with directions on how to join.Pass it on to your youth - with directions on how to join. Get connected and stay connected – join today !Get connected and stay connected – join today !

Different Youth Justice Models, Different Youth Justice Models, Mission, and Vision StatementMission, and Vision Statement

Look at the different program models in your Look at the different program models in your area when you are establishing or enhancing a area when you are establishing or enhancing a program – some communities even use two (2) program – some communities even use two (2) Models. Models.

Models vary from Youth Judge, Adult Judge, Models vary from Youth Judge, Adult Judge, Tribunal, and Peer Jury among others.Tribunal, and Peer Jury among others.

Review or create your mission and vision Review or create your mission and vision statement – make it a group effort.statement – make it a group effort.

Give your youth the opportunity to be involved.Give your youth the opportunity to be involved. Determine how you will gauge if your program Determine how you will gauge if your program

is meeting the needs of the community based is meeting the needs of the community based on the mission and vision statement adopted.on the mission and vision statement adopted.

State and Local State and Local Youth Justice LegislationYouth Justice Legislation

State Legislation exists in several dozen State Legislation exists in several dozen states on Youth & Teen Court programs.states on Youth & Teen Court programs.

This legislation can and does vary from state This legislation can and does vary from state to state. In most cases, it is not anything to state. In most cases, it is not anything vital.vital.

Existing and Establishing programs will need Existing and Establishing programs will need to learn about if your state has legislation to learn about if your state has legislation and what it is. and what it is.

Contact your local, county and/or state Contact your local, county and/or state attorney’s Office for assistance with this.attorney’s Office for assistance with this.

A Legislation Technical Assistance Bulletin A Legislation Technical Assistance Bulletin exists and can be obtained free by emailing exists and can be obtained free by emailing TechnicalAssistance@GlobalYouthJustice.orgTechnicalAssistance@GlobalYouthJustice.org

Train Youth and Adult Train Youth and Adult VolunteersVolunteers

(Pre-Service and In-Service)(Pre-Service and In-Service) All youth volunteers need to be trained prior to assuming the All youth volunteers need to be trained prior to assuming the various roles in your program. This included pre-service and various roles in your program. This included pre-service and event in-service.event in-service.

Utilize the legal and law enforcement community and formal Utilize the legal and law enforcement community and formal educators to train your youth volunteers and give them tips on educators to train your youth volunteers and give them tips on courtroom etiquette, court proceedings, respect for defendant, courtroom etiquette, court proceedings, respect for defendant, questioning techniques, a script, and considerably more.questioning techniques, a script, and considerably more.

Use evaluations to enhance your training sessions and to see Use evaluations to enhance your training sessions and to see what the youth volunteers still need in order for them to be what the youth volunteers still need in order for them to be best prepared.best prepared.

Training needs to be “skill building” , so provide them with the Training needs to be “skill building” , so provide them with the tools they need to be efficient and successful. Mock trials are tools they need to be efficient and successful. Mock trials are helpful.helpful.

Adult trainers also need to be trained.Adult trainers also need to be trained. The most effective programs are those which train both the The most effective programs are those which train both the

youth and adult volunteers, and even the youthful offenders youth and adult volunteers, and even the youthful offenders who are doing jury duty – a role which also benefits from who are doing jury duty – a role which also benefits from training.training.

Stakeholders in YourStakeholders in YourYouth Justice ProgramYouth Justice Program

Assess breadth and depth of Assess breadth and depth of stakeholders.stakeholders.

Determine if the program is meeting the Determine if the program is meeting the needs of your program and community.needs of your program and community.

Reassess periodically, especially in light Reassess periodically, especially in light of community changes such as new of community changes such as new mayor, new police chief, types of referrals mayor, new police chief, types of referrals your program is accepting and/or getting, your program is accepting and/or getting, etc..etc..

On-Going Adult involvement is critical and On-Going Adult involvement is critical and necessary. necessary.

Local Community CultureLocal Community Culture

Encourage and establish diversity among Encourage and establish diversity among referring agencies. Don’t just rely on one referring agencies. Don’t just rely on one person.person.

Determine if the caseload can be Determine if the caseload can be expanded or modified. expanded or modified.

Check your youth and adult volunteer Check your youth and adult volunteer diversity against that of your community – diversity against that of your community – you should reflect the community.you should reflect the community.

Involve youth typically out of the service Involve youth typically out of the service and volunteer mainstream and former and volunteer mainstream and former offenders.offenders.

This and That !This and That !

Broaden resources within your community Broaden resources within your community for youth offenders and youth/adult for youth offenders and youth/adult volunteers.volunteers.

Develop new ways to recognize youth and Develop new ways to recognize youth and adult volunteers. An Annual ceremony is adult volunteers. An Annual ceremony is often wise and practical.often wise and practical.

Keep training on-going, this will make the Keep training on-going, this will make the youth want to be participate more – youth want to be participate more – especially if there are not enough referrals especially if there are not enough referrals or too many volunteers.Involve volunteers or too many volunteers.Involve volunteers in decision-making where appropriate.in decision-making where appropriate.

Training of VolunteersTraining of Volunteers

Maximize youth involvement.Maximize youth involvement.Reach out to community resources for Reach out to community resources for

specialized training such as attorneys, specialized training such as attorneys, judges, substance and treatment judges, substance and treatment professionals, 4-H Staff, etc.professionals, 4-H Staff, etc.

Survey your volunteers to learn what they Survey your volunteers to learn what they gained, liked and didn’t like about gained, liked and didn’t like about training.training.

Write into your youth court budget and Write into your youth court budget and grants to send new and existing grants to send new and existing employees to GYJ Trainings in Vegas.employees to GYJ Trainings in Vegas.

Diversification & Diversification & Appropriateness Appropriateness

of Youth Justice Sentencing of Youth Justice Sentencing OptionsOptions Evaluate your sentencing options.Evaluate your sentencing options.

Allow youth volunteers to experience some of Allow youth volunteers to experience some of the sentencing options to help give them first-the sentencing options to help give them first-hand knowledge of what they entail.hand knowledge of what they entail.

Update sentencing options throughout the Update sentencing options throughout the year to include new placements and projects.year to include new placements and projects.

Check with your local juvenile probation Check with your local juvenile probation office, volunteer center and others to see office, volunteer center and others to see what sentencing options are given to youth what sentencing options are given to youth outside of the youth and teen courts.outside of the youth and teen courts.

Add educational components to your Add educational components to your programs community service sentencing programs community service sentencing menu of options.menu of options.

Restorative JusticeRestorative Justice

Implement concepts of restorative justice where Implement concepts of restorative justice where appropriate in the Youth Justice process.appropriate in the Youth Justice process.

Mediation with victim can be community Mediation with victim can be community service.service.

Assure victim is adequately restored if possible.Assure victim is adequately restored if possible. Train your volunteers in the principles of Train your volunteers in the principles of

restorative justice.restorative justice. Victim impact statements.Victim impact statements. Contact victims and offer multiple ways they Contact victims and offer multiple ways they

can be involved.can be involved.

Timely Case DispositionTimely Case Disposition Strive to have a timely completion/disposition.Strive to have a timely completion/disposition. Create a process that is followed to be sure no Create a process that is followed to be sure no

respondents are lost in the shuffle and end up in respondents are lost in the shuffle and end up in non-compliance, as a result of time limits.non-compliance, as a result of time limits.

Discuss cases on a regular basis to track status.Discuss cases on a regular basis to track status. Set a defined time limit for sentence completion.Set a defined time limit for sentence completion. Hold court as much as possible – even have case Hold court as much as possible – even have case

re-enactments.re-enactments. What do you do if the youth does not complete What do you do if the youth does not complete

your program – consequences need to be your program – consequences need to be serious to set a tone that youth must complete serious to set a tone that youth must complete your program or it can quickly become a joke.your program or it can quickly become a joke.

Efficient and Timely ReportsEfficient and Timely Reports Provide reports to all related agencies and Provide reports to all related agencies and

stakeholders as allowable and within legal limits stakeholders as allowable and within legal limits (confidentiality) (confidentiality)

Consider doing a quarterly newsletter or update.Consider doing a quarterly newsletter or update. Prepare quarterly reports to grant monitors including Prepare quarterly reports to grant monitors including

data collection and to board and advisory members.data collection and to board and advisory members. Keep youth volunteers updated and their parents and Keep youth volunteers updated and their parents and

guardians. guardians. Create a committee that is focused on educating the Create a committee that is focused on educating the

public about the on-going activities of your program.public about the on-going activities of your program. Continued and increased public support of your Continued and increased public support of your

program will go a long way in keep your program program will go a long way in keep your program offering services necessary for the local juvenile offering services necessary for the local juvenile justice system and it will help your program get more justice system and it will help your program get more funding/support.funding/support.

ConfidentialityConfidentiality Provide measures to implement a confidentiality Provide measures to implement a confidentiality

policy to of all participants to the extent possible. policy to of all participants to the extent possible. Make sure to recognize you can not ASSURE this. Make sure to recognize you can not ASSURE this.

Make all volunteers sign an oath of confidentiality.Make all volunteers sign an oath of confidentiality. Stress confidentiality from the moment you recruit Stress confidentiality from the moment you recruit

volunteers to include youth and adult volunteers.volunteers to include youth and adult volunteers. Have adequate protocol in place should a breach Have adequate protocol in place should a breach

occur.occur. Keep files in a locked cabinet.Keep files in a locked cabinet. Some programs do not have strict confidentiality – it is Some programs do not have strict confidentiality – it is

a decision your local adult leaders will need to address a decision your local adult leaders will need to address and formally write a policy. Have parent(s) and legal and formally write a policy. Have parent(s) and legal guardian(s) sign a release of confidentiality form.guardian(s) sign a release of confidentiality form.

Physical SecurityPhysical Security Consider physical security based on where the setting is Consider physical security based on where the setting is

for your Youth Justice program to have hearings/trials. for your Youth Justice program to have hearings/trials. Work with local courts to see if a bailiff will volunteer to Work with local courts to see if a bailiff will volunteer to

ensure the safety of the youth during court.ensure the safety of the youth during court. Most Youth Justice programs hold “Court Night” in their Most Youth Justice programs hold “Court Night” in their

local Court House, School, Community Setting and local Court House, School, Community Setting and more.more.

Have good communication with youth so they will alert Have good communication with youth so they will alert you right away if there are problems.you right away if there are problems.

Holding hearings in the local courtroom has shown to Holding hearings in the local courtroom has shown to have some benefits over other settings to include have some benefits over other settings to include security.security.

Make use of your local courtroom when it is not in Make use of your local courtroom when it is not in session for traditional adult court. Use it for trainings, session for traditional adult court. Use it for trainings, events, court night. events, court night.

Background ChecksBackground Checkson Adult Volunteerson Adult Volunteers

Conduct background checks on all of your Conduct background checks on all of your adult volunteers if at all possible. This is adult volunteers if at all possible. This is especially essential if an adult is going to especially essential if an adult is going to be 1 on 1 with a youth.be 1 on 1 with a youth.

Find resources such as law enforcement or Find resources such as law enforcement or the court system that help provide this the court system that help provide this background service at low or no cost. background service at low or no cost.

Talk with your local Mentoring Agency and Talk with your local Mentoring Agency and Law Enforcement Agency about this. Law Enforcement Agency about this.

All Youth Justice staff should get this All Youth Justice staff should get this background check.background check.

Liability InsuranceLiability Insurance

Purchase an adequate level of liability Purchase an adequate level of liability insurance, depending which organization is insurance, depending which organization is responsible for the administration of the responsible for the administration of the Youth Justice programs.Youth Justice programs.

Programs operated by a municipal Programs operated by a municipal government will also need to purchase government will also need to purchase insurance – and often even if self insured. insurance – and often even if self insured.

Not-for-Profits typically have insurance for the Not-for-Profits typically have insurance for the board of directors and for the liability should a board of directors and for the liability should a youth or adult get injured on the premises youth or adult get injured on the premises and/or at a community service project.and/or at a community service project.

If transportation is taking place – motor If transportation is taking place – motor vehicle insurance is required. vehicle insurance is required.

Mandated Community Service Needs to be Mandated Community Service Needs to be Meaningful to the Youthful offender and the Meaningful to the Youthful offender and the

CommunityCommunity Read Giving Back – the Outstanding Guidebook on improving Read Giving Back – the Outstanding Guidebook on improving

Community Service written by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.Community Service written by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. Identify organizations or groups who are already working on Identify organizations or groups who are already working on

community service projects and possibly coordinate efforts.community service projects and possibly coordinate efforts. Determine how your community will operate the community service Determine how your community will operate the community service

aspect of your program.aspect of your program. Will your community use an existing agency and/or will your Will your community use an existing agency and/or will your

community operate your own program.community operate your own program. Supervision, safety, location, the age of youth, adult background Supervision, safety, location, the age of youth, adult background

checks, and liability insurance are just some issues.checks, and liability insurance are just some issues. Quality Community Service Programs are among the top 3 aspects of Quality Community Service Programs are among the top 3 aspects of

your program and can make or break a program.your program and can make or break a program. Learn about any requirements from referring agencies regarding time Learn about any requirements from referring agencies regarding time

frames for completing community service and/or other requirements.frames for completing community service and/or other requirements. Adults will need to decide what to do – if the youth do not complete Adults will need to decide what to do – if the youth do not complete

their peer imposed sanction.their peer imposed sanction. Establish an official committee for making your Mandated Community Establish an official committee for making your Mandated Community

Service meaningful and operationally and administratively sound.Service meaningful and operationally and administratively sound.

Track Recidivism and Collect Track Recidivism and Collect DataData

Track the recidivism of your youthful offenders in Track the recidivism of your youthful offenders in your court and use an empirically logical design.your court and use an empirically logical design.

Focus on 1-3 year post adjudication.Focus on 1-3 year post adjudication. Engage area Colleges and Universities.Engage area Colleges and Universities. Educate those who are the keepers of this Educate those who are the keepers of this

information on how vital it is to keep recidivism information on how vital it is to keep recidivism data for the strength of the program and for data for the strength of the program and for financial support/sustainability.financial support/sustainability.

Re-arrest, Conviction and Incarceration are the 3 Re-arrest, Conviction and Incarceration are the 3 standard measures of Recidivism.standard measures of Recidivism.

Data Collection on types of offenses, ages, Data Collection on types of offenses, ages, completion rate, male/female and other significant completion rate, male/female and other significant items are as important as tracking recidivism. You items are as important as tracking recidivism. You can do much of this on your own – with the right can do much of this on your own – with the right planning ahead of time.planning ahead of time.

Diversify Funding and Diversify Funding and ResourcesResources

Get to know funding agencies and organizations by looking at Get to know funding agencies and organizations by looking at websites, attending meetings and networking.websites, attending meetings and networking.

A quality program is almost always a priority to secure on-going A quality program is almost always a priority to secure on-going funding.funding.

Establish a finance and budget committee and a Fundraising and Establish a finance and budget committee and a Fundraising and Grant Committee.Grant Committee.

Local support is critical – without it – most programs will not survive. Local support is critical – without it – most programs will not survive. You program should not rely solely on one grant – although some You program should not rely solely on one grant – although some municipal run programs to include schools do operate like this.municipal run programs to include schools do operate like this.

A three (3) year plan is critical and necessary for budgeting A three (3) year plan is critical and necessary for budgeting purposes.purposes.

Learn how other programs are funded in your state and around the Learn how other programs are funded in your state and around the United States.United States.

Foundations, civic and fraternal groups, municipal funding, bar Foundations, civic and fraternal groups, municipal funding, bar associations and foundations, criminal/juvenile justice agencies, associations and foundations, criminal/juvenile justice agencies, United Way, Youth Bureaus, local, county, and state budget line United Way, Youth Bureaus, local, county, and state budget line items, corporate supports, fundraising events, fines, individual items, corporate supports, fundraising events, fines, individual donations, and funding from schools, police departments, local donations, and funding from schools, police departments, local courts and probation departments are just some groups currently courts and probation departments are just some groups currently funding local Youth Justice programs. funding local Youth Justice programs.

Keep funders and supporters informed of your program – have an Keep funders and supporters informed of your program – have an annual event and releasing an annual report are just a few ideas.annual event and releasing an annual report are just a few ideas.

State Associations and State Associations and Networking GroupsNetworking Groups

About 18 States now have a State Association or Networking About 18 States now have a State Association or Networking Group. This is an increase from about 7 or 8 ten (10) years ago. Group. This is an increase from about 7 or 8 ten (10) years ago.

Consider engaging in activities with your state association or state Consider engaging in activities with your state association or state networking group if it meets your needs after learning what it does.networking group if it meets your needs after learning what it does.

Some states with Associations/Networking Groups include TX, FL, Some states with Associations/Networking Groups include TX, FL, LA, NY, IL, WA, WI, CA, AZ, NM, and others.LA, NY, IL, WA, WI, CA, AZ, NM, and others.

Consider establishing or re-establishing a State Association or State Consider establishing or re-establishing a State Association or State Networking Group. Multi-State and Regional efforts are also wise.Networking Group. Multi-State and Regional efforts are also wise.

For information on existing State Associations/Networking Groups, For information on existing State Associations/Networking Groups, log on to the Global Youth Justice website and click on the button log on to the Global Youth Justice website and click on the button titled Locate a Program. titled Locate a Program.

State Association and State Networking groups have shown to be a State Association and State Networking groups have shown to be a little helpful in mobilizing increased state and local resources, little helpful in mobilizing increased state and local resources, increasing professional development and staff training, creates increasing professional development and staff training, creates statewide opportunities for youth and adults to convene events statewide opportunities for youth and adults to convene events and helps with the expansion of new programs and the and helps with the expansion of new programs and the improvement of existing programs in a state. Many local Youth improvement of existing programs in a state. Many local Youth Justice staff are so busy, they often do not have time for state Justice staff are so busy, they often do not have time for state activities.activities.

Technical Assistance is Technical Assistance is AvailableAvailable

from Global Youth Justicefrom Global Youth JusticeTechnical Assistance is available from Global Youth Technical Assistance is available from Global Youth Justice. Establishing or Enhancing a local Youth Justice Justice. Establishing or Enhancing a local Youth Justice program can be challenging to those adults and/or program can be challenging to those adults and/or youth new to these expanding Juvenile Justice programs.youth new to these expanding Juvenile Justice programs.

Global Youth Justice and Youth Justice USA are here to Global Youth Justice and Youth Justice USA are here to help you the best we can. We encourage you to view help you the best we can. We encourage you to view the Administrative and Operational Publications on our the Administrative and Operational Publications on our website. Please feel free to call us anytime at all. Good website. Please feel free to call us anytime at all. Good Luck.Luck.

Global Youth JusticeGlobal Youth Justice(202) 468-3790(202) 468-3790

www.GlobalYouthJustice.orgGlobalYouthJustice@GlobalYouthJustice.org

Www.GlobalYouthJustice.OrgWww.GlobalYouthJustice.Org

Visit the Global Website for the most Visit the Global Website for the most exciting, innovative, current, and exciting, innovative, current, and useful website on youth court, teen useful website on youth court, teen court, peer court, student court, and court, peer court, student court, and youth peer panels around the world.youth peer panels around the world.

For more information, please contact For more information, please contact Scott.Peterson@GlobalYouthJustice.oScott.Peterson@GlobalYouthJustice.orgrg