OJJDP Priorities
OJJDP's three priorities reflect the Office's guiding philosophy: to enhance the welfare of America’s youth and broaden their opportunities for a better future. To bring these goals to fruition, OJJDP is leading efforts to transform the juvenile justice system into one that will—
The juvenile justice field's decisionmaking must be informed by science and research to ensure young people are adjudicated fairly and given opportunities to learn and recover from youthful mistakes.
Community-based programs that involve families as a critical component enhance youth outcomes, increase public safety, and strengthen neighborhoods.
Juvenile justice practitioners must recognize and address the barriers to success that involvement with the juvenile justice system creates for youth.
The Latest from OJJDP
November is National Native American Heritage Month
President Joseph Biden has proclaimed November as National Native American Heritage Month, celebrating Indigenous peoples past and present.
OJJDP News @ a Glance, September/October 2022
The September/October newsletter highlights Youth Justice Action Month and OJJDP's focus on keeping young people out of confinement, the role youth play in OJJDP's initiative to address bullying and hate crimes, and a school-based program to deter violent crime.
Youth Justice Action Month: Creating Brighter Futures for Our Nation's Youth
OJJDP, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, and the National Juvenile Justice Network held a webinar on October 3, 2022 to discuss the history of Youth Justice Action Month and actions we can each take during October and beyond to create brighter futures for the nation's youth.
Youth Justice Action Month: A Message from John Legend
In an exclusive video, John Legend, singer and advocate, thanks youth justice advocates from across the country for their efforts during Youth Justice Action Month to raise awareness and educate the public about the impact of the justice system on youth.
What Youth Justice Means to Youth: A Vision for the Future
On October 27, 2022, OJJDP held a panel discussion, “What Youth Justice Means to Youth: A Vision for the Future. Co-hosted with the Coalition for Juvenile Justice and the National Juvenile Justice Network, the event featured youth leaders with lived experience in the juvenile justice system, who presented their recommendations for a "Youth-Centered Vision of Justice" to OJJDP leadership.
Recent News
- Real Justice Means Ensuring Opportunities for Justice System-Involved Youth
- Serving Justice-Involved Youth at Home, With Community Support
- Treating Children as Children
- Priorities That Keep Kids' Best Interests at the Heart of What We Do
- New OJJDP Initiative Promotes Community-Based Alternatives to Youth Incarceration
- OJJDP Launches Youth and Family Partnership Working Group
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Preventing Youth Hate Crimes & Identity-Based Bullying Initiative
Discover more about OJJDP's Preventing Youth Hate Crimes & Identity-Based Bullying Initiative. This national initiative focuses on prevention and early intervention from a youth-based perspective.