The 2015 JDAI Inter-Site Conference was hosted in Phoenix, Arizona on September 28th - 30th. Over 900 JDAI professionals gathered to discuss major accomplishments and review best practices and outcomes. All of the conference materials have been placed on the JDAI Helpdesk as resources for sites in continuing their juvenile justice reform efforts.
 

A new practice guide - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth in the Juvenile Justice System has been released. The guide reflects an important and welcome shift in societal and juvenile justice standards and explains how the juvenile justice system can lead the way in improving the treatment of LGBT youth in our communities and in our facilities. This practice guide answers the demand for clear professional guidance in working with LGBT youth in the juvenile justice system. 

The Casey Foundation has released JDAI News 2015. Contents of the newsletter include information on the recently released report Maltreatment of Incarcerated Youth, the JJSG Youth Advisory Council, a conversation with Juvenile Justice Strategy Group Director Nate Balis, and the Applied Leadership Network.

The Ohio Juvenile Justice Coalition recently released a report entitled “Bring Youth Home: Building on Ohio’s Deincarceration Leadership.” Since the 1990s, admissions to Ohio’s juvenile correctional facilities have dropped from over 2,500 to under 500 – an 80% decrease. The report highlights five research-based strategies Ohio has implemented successfully to keep youth in their communities safely, effectively, and less expensively than incarceration. 

Local newsletters are an innovative way to connect, share progress and build enthusiasm for the JDAI work. We encourage your jurisdiction to share your newsletters with the JDAI Helpdesk. Thanks to JDAI sites in Dakota County, Massachusetts, and Pima County for sharing the following newsletters: