Home Our Work

Our Work

Through education, community-building and leadership development, the National Juvenile Justice Network enhances the capacity of juvenile justice coalitions and organizations in 44 states and the District of Columbia to press for state and federal laws, policies and practices that are fair, equitable and developmentally appropriate for all children, youth and families involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the justice system

We provide strategic and substantive assistance in six areas:

COMMUNITY – Through an active listserv, annual forum for members, partners and allies, and varied working groups, we provide vehicles for members to share and grow their collective wisdom around strategy, research, and the latest developments in their states.

LEADERSHIP – We provide information and training on substance and strategy, and our new Youth Justice Leadership Institute seeks to increase the number of juvenile justice reform leaders who are people of color, families of system involved youth, and system involved youth.

STANDARDS – NJJN circulates policy recommendations and summaries of established standards on which to build reform. Our Human Rights Working Group uses international standards to educate the public and push domestic policy changes.

INFORMATION – In addition to this, our monthly e-newsletter and policy papers advance the field of juvenile justice reform by educating the public and reform advocates.

TOOLS – Through teleconferences, talking points and press release templates, we keep reformers equipped with up-to-date information and strategic know-how.

INCLUSION – We involve youth, families and crime victims through our Family Engagement Working Group and the Victim Outreach Working Group.


Read NJJN's 2018 annual report here.