OJJDP Celebrates 50 Years of Transforming Youth Justice
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention have turned 50! On September 7, 1974, the JJDPA was signed into law, setting federal standards for the safe and equitable treatment of young people in the juvenile justice system and establishing OJJDP to lead national efforts to prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency.
View the 50th Anniversary Webpage
Watch Administrator Liz Ryan's JJDPA 50th Anniversary Video Message
Use the hashtag #JJDPA50 to join the conversation and get the word out.
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
October is Youth Justice Action Month
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) envisions a juvenile justice system that emphasizes reform, support for youth, and opportunities. OJJDP joins our partners to raise awareness and educate the public about the impact of the justice system on children.
OJJDP News @ a Glance, September 2024
The September newsletter highlights a new curriculum developed by OJJDP to combat youth hate crimes and identity-based bullying, a school-based program intended to reduce youth violence in the neighborhood surrounding a Southwest Philadelphia high school.
Registration is Open for OJJDP's 2024 National Conference on Youth Justice
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention invites you to register for the 2024 National Conference on Youth Justice: Shaping the Next 50 Years. The conference will be held November 19-21, 2024, at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C.
Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court, 2021
In 2021, juvenile courts in the United States handled 437,300 delinquency cases that involved youth charged with criminal law violations, 39% less than the number of cases handled in 2020. From 2005 through 2021, the number of delinquency cases declined 73%, with decreases in four offense categories.
NEW: Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Curriculum
This curriculum is intended for youth-serving organizations, middle and high schools, and other interested community groups to help raise awareness and prevent youth from engaging in identity-based bullying and hate crimes.
Administrator Ryan Highlights "Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Curriculum"
In this video OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan highlights the benefits of OJJDP's "Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Curriculum." This new multi-phase interactive curriculum was designed to keep children safe in schools and communities.
Recent News
- Amplifying the Youth Voice During Youth Justice Action Month
- OJJDP Celebrates 49th Year of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act
- OJJDP in the Field: Utah Program Site Visit
- OJJDP Calls on States to Strengthen Youth Defense Systems
- USDA Programs Help To Feed Children Facing Food Insecurity
- The Scottsboro Boys: Legacy of Injustice
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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. OJJDP hosted its second Youth Hate Crimes and Identity-Based Bullying Prevention Virtual Symposium from October 17-18, 2023.