Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance

Nearly 10,000 children enter Connecticut's juvenile justice system each year, most for minor, nonviolent offenses. And Connecticut, like every state’s system, struggles with overrepresentation of youth of color and those whose primary issues are related to mental health or educational needs.

Juvenile justice systems should serve only youth who must be there. That’s why the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance (CJJA) is working to "promote a safe, effective and equitable system of services designed to meet the needs of children and adolescents in, or at-risk of becoming involved in, the juvenile justice system."

With a three-year (2007 to 2010) Connecticut Health Foundation grant of $255,000, CJJA is focused on reducing:

• Overrepresentation of youth of color, primarily African-Americans and Latinos, in the juvenile justice system
• The number of state youth tried and incarcerated as adults
• Over-reliance on the state juvenile justice system for youth with mental health, substance abuse and special education problems, resulting in secure detention and confinement

To achieve these goals, CJJA’s efforts include:

• Legislative education and advocacy
• Strategic media outreach
• Grassroots organizing with local organizations and community groups
• Collaboration with state agencies

"These efforts will help policy-makers, legislators and practitioners better understand juvenile justice issues and take concrete steps to reduce overrepresentation of youth of color in our juvenile justice system," says Abby Anderson, executive director. "Collaborating with grassroots organizations and individuals, as well as with state agencies, legislators and others in leadership positions, is the best way to affect change quickly, efficiently and effectively."

CJJA’s work in this area already has produced significant results. In 2007, state legislation supported by CJJA was passed, changing the age youth are treated as adults from 16 to 18. But, there is still much to be done before the legislation becomes effective July 1, 2009.

"The two-year planning and implementation process is intensive and complicated," notes Anderson, a process in which CJJA is integrally involved. "We’re monitoring the roll-out of necessary modifications to the system to ensure adherence to the implementation date."

Looking to the future, CJJA is building its capacity to sustain its efforts and quickly react to a changing political climate. "Over the next five years, we’ll increase our ability to both proactively attack current system deficiencies and react to opportunities or challenges by developing a network of resources to complement our core functions," says Anderson.

www.ctjja.org