Detention Reform Proposal

The Center for Children's Law and Policy (CCLP) seeks to reduce the unnecessary and inappropriate use of secure detention in various sites over a multi-year period. CCLP provides extensive technical assistance on detention reform to the selected sites. The population to be served is youth who are held in secure detention but who could be safely released to parents or guardians or to community-based programs. The Center provides assistance with six sets of activities to accomplish detention reform. First is "site immersion" activities to assist policy makers in learning about detention reform. Second is development of an administrative infrastructure to direct and support the site work. Third is development of a data collection and analysis capacity. Fourth is conducting a system assessment of juvenile detention policies, programs, and practices in the site. Fifth is development of a comprehensive work plan. Sixth is development of an objective risk assessment instrument (RAI). Each set of activities has several performance measures. Thus, "site immersion" includes a "kick-off" meeting and a "JDAI 101" training; site organizational activities include formation of the governing collaborative, establishment of topical work groups, and designation of a site coordinator. NCA/NCF

The purpose of this proposal is to continue work to reduce the unnecessary and inappropriate use of secure detention in sites over a multi-year period. The Center for Children's Law and Policy (CCLP) will continue to provide extensive technical assistance on detention reform to sites in four counties in Pennsylvania, one county in Tennessee, and three counties in Kentucky. This proposal is for a third year of federal funding for detention reform. The population to be served is youth who are held in secure detention but who could be safely released to parents or guardians or to community-based programs. NCA/NCF