NCJ Number
243051
Journal
Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 2013 Pages: 215-268
Date Published
2013
Length
54 pages
Annotation
This article presents highlights from a September 2011 meeting that examined the need for improving services for juvenile girls involved with the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
In September 2011, the Georgetown Center on Poverty, Inequality and Public Policy, convened a meeting to examine and discuss the need to improve services for juvenile girls involved with the juvenile justice system. Participants at the meeting included State reformers, national policy experts, researchers and girls involved in the juvenile justice system. The article briefly discusses the literature that has documented girls' various pathways into the system that include trauma, family conflict, and residential instability. Recent girl-focused reform efforts have been increasing over the past two decades and include the use of gender-responsive programming, programs located close to girls' homes, and programs that address current processes used by the juvenile justice system and that address gaps in services need by female juvenile offenders. Specific examples of reforms at the State level are presented for Connecticut, Florida, and Stanislaus County, CA. The article explores the common elements of these programs: 1) research to diagnose the problem; 2) conducting a public education campaign; 3) strategic planning efforts; 4) recruitment of key stakeholders; 5) legislation; 6) effective leadership; 7) staff training; 8) development of community-based diversion and prevention programs; 9) development of pilot and demonstration projects; 10) use of outcome measures and evaluations; 11) technical assistance; and 12) funding and sustainability. The article also presents a set of Federal policy recommendations for supporting State and local reform efforts to improve services for girls involved with the juvenile justice system.