Juvenile Indigent Defense Special Initiative

The OJJDP FY2013 Juvenile Indigent Defense Special Initiative will support a broad needs assessment, consensus building and national training and technical assistance effort designed to improve juvenile indigent defense across the nation. This initiative will support the collaborative engagement of leading national experts and key stakeholder organizations designed to reduce disproportionate minority contact within the juvenile justice system and to improve access to counsel and the quality of representation. As directed by OJJDP, the National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) will enhance and expand cost-effective and innovative training programs and develop resources and practice guidelines for court-appointed counsel and juvenile indigent defense attorneys. NCA/NCF