Professional Resources

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) focuses on the juvenile detention component of the juvenile justice system because youth are often unnecessarily or inappropriately detained at great expense, with long-lasting negative consequences for both public safety and youth development. JDAI promotes changes to policies, practices, and programs to:

  • reduce reliance on secure confinement;
  • improve public safety;
  • reduce racial disparities and bias;
  • save taxpayers’ dollars; and
  • stimulate overall juvenile justice reforms

Funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Models for Change collaborates with selected states, including Illinois, to advance juvenile justice reforms that effectively hold young people accountable for their actions, provide for their rehabilitation, protect them from harm, increase their life chances, and manage the risk they pose to themselves and to public safety. Models for Change focuses on the following issues:

  • Aftercare
  • Racial and ethnic fairness
  • Mental health
  • Community-based alternatives
  • Right-sizing jurisdiction
  • Evidence-based practices
  • Juvenile indigent defense.

Reclaiming Futures helps young people in trouble with drugs, alcohol, and crime. In 2001, with a $21 million investment from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 10 founding communities located throughout the United States began reinventing the way police, courts, detention facilities, treatment providers, and the community work together to meet this urgent need.

The Model Programs Guide (MPG) is designed to assist practitioners and communities in implementing evidence-based prevention and intervention programs that can make a difference in the lives of children and communities. The MPG database of over 200 evidence-based programs covers the entire continuum of youth services from prevention through sanctions to reentry. The MPG can be used to assist juvenile justice practitioners, administrators, and researchers to enhance accountability, ensure public safety, and reduce recidivism. The MPG is an easy-to-use tool that offers a database of scientifically-proven programs that address a range of issues, including substance abuse, mental health, and education programs.

The Blueprints for Violence Prevention mission is to identify truly outstanding violence and drug prevention programs that meet a high scientific standard of effectiveness. In doing so, Blueprints serves as a resource for governments, foundations, businesses, and other organizations trying to make informed judgments about their investments in violence and drug prevention programs.

This article provides a comprehensive guide that delves into topics such as navigating the college admissions process, identifying the best degrees for individuals with prior convictions, and addressing key considerations for those who have been formerly incarcerated pursuing higher education.

The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP) is a searchable online registry of mental health and substance abuse interventions that have been reviewed and rated by independent reviewers. The purpose of this registry is to assist the public in identifying scientifically based approaches to preventing and treating mental and/or substance use disorders that can be readily disseminated to the field.

A recently launched career development hub with the internet’s largest database of free resume templates in MS Word and Google Docs file format. These professional quality templates will help people showcase their experience to land a job.

This article encompasses resources and information about reentry assistance programs, the intricacies of reentry, various work programs, and education assistance initiatives, along with additional resources tailored for formerly incarcerated individuals.

The NCJFCJ is one of the largest and oldest judicial membership organizations in the nation. Also known as the Council, we serve an estimated 30,000 professionals in the juvenile and family justice system including judges, referees, commissioners, court masters and administrators, social and mental health workers, police, and probation officers. For those involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases, the Council provides the resources, knowledge and training to improve the lives of families and children seeking justice.