Flores Sworn in as OJJDP Administrator
On April 17, 2002, J. Robert Flores was sworn in as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. His nomination had been confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 12, 2002.

DOJ Reauthorization Sharpens OJJDP's Focus for FY 2004
The 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act (DOJ reauthorization), signed into law on November 2, 2002, supports the established mission of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) while introducing important changes that streamline OJJDP’s operations and bring a sharper focus to its role. The provisions of the reauthorization originally were to take effect in federal fiscal year 2003, but a subsequent appropriations act postponed the effective date to FY 2004 (beginning October 2003).

OJJDP Administrator Flores Testifies Before Senate Judiciary Committee
On December 5, 2007, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Administrator J. Robert Flores testified before the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary on reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDP Act). In his testimony, Flores reaffirmed OJJDP's commitment to supporting programs to strengthen the juvenile justice system and combat delinquency. 

Former OJJDP Administrators Participate in Historic Forum
In a forum celebrating the Office's 35th anniversary, a panel of six former OJJDP administrators—John Rector (1977–79), Ira M. Schwartz (1979–81), Alfred S. Regnery (1983–87), Vernon L. Speirs (1987–89), Robert Sweet (1990–92), and Shay Bilchik (1994–2000)—engaged in a wide-ranging discussion about their tenures, key issues in the juvenile justice field, and the future of OJJDP.

Department of Justice Sets High Priority on Reentry Programs for Ex-Offenders
On November 16, 2009, OJJDP Acting Administrator Jeff Slowikowski served on an educational panel organized to brief House and Senate members on the importance of meeting the needs of juveniles who reenter a community after a period of incarceration—a population consisting of about 100,000 youth a year. Acting Administrator Slowikowski emphasized the agency's commitment to supporting these youth, citing several OJJDP-sponsored programs and initiatives that have helped ex-offender youth find employment, complete education programs, and keep from reoffending. 

Justice Department Discourages the Use of "Scared Straight" Programs
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended, prohibits court-involved youth from being detained, confined, or otherwise having contact with adult inmates in jails and prisons. In keeping with the Act, and supported by research, OJJDP does not fund Scared Straight programs, and cites such programs as potential violations of federal law. 

OJJDP Acting Administrator Testifies on School-to-Prison Pipeline Before Senate Judiciary Committee
On December 12, 2012, OJJDP Acting Administrator Melodee Hanes testified on the school-to-prison pipeline before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Acting Administrator Hanes' testimony is available on the committee's Web site. To access a Webcast of the full hearing, visit the United States Committee Channel.

OJJDP Administrator Testifies at Senate Hearing on Reauthorization
On June 9, 2014, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee testified before a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D–RI). The hearing focused on the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act.

Celebrating 40 Years of Working Together for Youth Justice and Safety Administrator Listenbee's message
On September 7, 1974, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was signed into law. This landmark legislation established the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and forever changed the way states and communities deal with at-risk youth and those who are involved in the juvenile justice system.

Research Central: Examining Ethnic Disparities Within the Juvenile Justice System
OJJDP research has shown that racial and ethnic disparities exist throughout the juvenile justice system; however, there was a need to further examine the nature of the ethnic disparities at arrest, in disposition decision points, in the use of secure detention, and postdisposition and reentry, as well as in relationships with other child-serving systems (such as child welfare and education).

OJJDP Welcomes Administrator Caren Harp
On January 19, 2018, Caren Harp was sworn in as Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. During her 23-year career as a trial lawyer, Ms. Harp spent 20 years on the prosecution side of the court system, either prosecuting cases or training prosecutors, and 3 years as a public defender. As a deputy prosecutor, Ms. Harp tried a wide range of cases in criminal and juvenile court, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and capital murder.

Implementing the Juvenile Justice Reform Act
Congress enacted the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act in 1974. This landmark legislation established OJJDP to support local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. In December 2018, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) of 2018 was signed into law, reauthorizing and substantially amending the JJDP Act. The JJRA becomes effective on October 1, 2019.

Message From the Administrator: 45th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act 
On September 7, 1974, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was signed into law. This historic statute established OJJDP as the only federal agency that supports local and state efforts to deter delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. For 45 years, funding appropriated to OJJDP pursuant to this Act has fueled national efforts to prevent child abuse, locate missing and exploited children, combat Internet crimes against children, create effective interventions for youthful offenders, and mentor children and youth before they ever become entangled with the court system.

Research Central: Measuring What Works in Juvenile Reentry
Recognizing the need to more effectively measure what works in reentry, in fiscal year 2015 OJJDP selected the Performance-based Standards Learning Institute (PbS) to develop a framework of recommended performance measures for reentry areas that are key to reducing reoffending and improving youth outcomes. This and other projects produced a comprehensive list of juvenile justice measures, data elements and various strategies to use in efforts to improve long-term juvenile justice outcomes.

Top Story: Esteemed Youth Advocate Liz Ryan Named OJJDP Administrator
Long-time youth advocate Liz Ryan joined OJJDP as Administrator on May 16, 2022, appointed to the post by President Joseph R. Biden. Administrator Ryan brings more than 30 years of professional experience in legislative and justice-related issues, including more than two decades spent as an advocate for juvenile justice reform. 

Data Show Decline in Arrests of Youth for Violent Crimes
OJJDP's latest data on youth arrests for violent crimes show a 78-percent decline since the peak year, 1994, countering claims of a youth-led violent crime wave in the United States. The estimated number of youth arrests for violent crime—including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault—reached a new low in 2020, according to Trends in Youth Arrests for Violent Crimes, a fact sheet released in August 2022 by the National Institute of Justice and OJJDP.

OJJDP Dataset Provides National Benchmark for Comparing Racial and Ethnic Disparities 
OJJDP relaunched the National Racial and Ethnic Disparities Databook as a component of the Statistical Briefing Book, which offers the youth justice field a national benchmark for comparing local data, helping jurisdictions determine where to focus efforts to promote racial equity. The databook describes how racial and ethnic disparities are measured and identifies levels of disparities introduced at each decision point. 

Volume of Delinquency Cases Declines Steadily Since 2005
Thumbnail for "Trends and Characteristics of Delinquency Cases Handled in Juvenile Court, 2020" Caseloads for all categories of delinquency offenses have dropped dramatically since 2005, according to a new OJJDP Data Snapshot,  Trends and Characteristics of Delinquency Cases Handled in Juvenile Court, 2020.

Youth Risk for Violent Victimization and Homicide Has Grown, Crime Trends Show
Young people ages 12 to 17 were more likely to suffer nonfatal violent victimization in 2022 than in 2021 or 2020, according to statistics presented in Crimes Involving Juveniles, 1993–2022, a new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

OJJDP Partners Develop 5-Year Strategic Plan for Multidisciplinary Responses to Child Abuse
OJJDP grantees funded under the Victims of Child Abuse (VOCA) Act program have completed their first-ever strategic plan, outlining steps needed to enhance both their collaboration and the field’s capacity to implement multidisciplinary responses to child abuse.

OJJDP's Continuum of Care Framework Spans Prevention, Intervention, Treatment, and Reentry Strategies
OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan traveled to Harrisburg, PA, on April 11 to present OJJDP’s Continuum of Care for Communities framework and to announce recipients of funding awarded under the fiscal year 2023 Building Local Continuums of Care To Support Youth Success initiative.

OJJDP Funds New Center Targeting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Youth Justice
The new Center for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice (the Center) is the latest example of OJJDP’s ongoing commitment to confronting and dismantling inequities and discrimination in the juvenile justice system.

OJJDP Welcomes Connecticut and Nebraska’s Return to the Title II Formula Grants Program
After a 5-year hiatus, Connecticut and Nebraska have rejoined OJJDP’s Formula Grants program, receiving a combined total of more than $1.2 million in fiscal year 2023 funding.

Strong Tribal Ties Help Youth Thrive, Native Leaders Tell OJJDP 
At Tribal consultations and listening sessions convened by OJJDP in September and October, Tribal leaders and other Native stakeholders reiterated a message they consistently communicate to OJJDP—that Native youth benefit when courts weave Native culture, values, and traditions into their programs and services.