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National Juvenile Defender Center Smart on Juvenile Justice Access to Justice Training and Technical Assistance

Award Information

Award #
2015-MU-BX-K002
Location
Status
Closed
Funding First Awarded
2015
Total funding (to date)
$2,603,061

Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2015, $1,188,106)

The OJJDP FY 2015 Smart on Juvenile Justice: Enhancing Youth Access to Justice Initiative will provide funding to (1) develop effective, statewide, well-resourced model juvenile indigent defense legal delivery systems; (2) develop and implement standards of practice and policy for the effective management of such delivery systems; and (3) develop state or regional resource centers to help state, tribal, and local juvenile defense systems enhance the quality of legal representation, leverage resources, and collect and analyze data to measure the effectiveness of specific initiatives. This initiative will provide cost-effective and innovative training for the juvenile indigent defense bar, including public defenders and court-appointed counsel working on behalf of juvenile indigent defendants, particularly in traditionally underserved locations, including rural areas.

Category 2: Youth Access to Justice Training and Technical Assistance will support training and technical assistance to focus on juvenile defense, identify gaps in practice, and train on strategies. The National Juvenile Defender Center (NJDC) will provide training and technical assistance focused on the need to promote specialization in juvenile defense, identify and address gaps in practice, and, train stakeholders on strategies for improved youth outcomes. The goals of NJDC’s proposed project are: to support the development of effective, statewide, well-resourced, juvenile defense delivery systems nationwide; help states and localities adopt policies and practices that enhance juvenile defense infrastructure; and support the development of state or regional resource centers that provide information, training, policy development, and data collection. NJDC’s proposal is designed to capitalize on NJDC’s proven ability to create and leverage national interest in new initiatives that support and enhance juvenile defense systems and improve outcomes, while reducing harm for youth exposed to the juvenile court system. CA/NCF

Date Created: September 27, 2015