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Building State Advisory Group Capacity: A Toolkit for Effective Juvenile Justice Leadership

NCJ Number
250226
Date Published
July 2016
Length
44 pages
Annotation
This toolkit is intended for use by State Advisory Groups (SAGs) and related State agencies to help them assess their current strengths, identify challenges, and develop solutions that will strengthen their position as juvenile justice leaders in their States.
Abstract
The 1974 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) provided for the creation of SAGs. These governor-appointed bodies are assigned the responsibility of ensuring that their States comply with the JJDPA's four core protections for youth in the juvenile justice system. SAGs are given the authority to assist in setting programmatic goals, guide policy, and administer Federal funds received under the provisions of the JJDPA. This toolkit provides SAG members and related State agencies with some of the resources they need to assist in elevating the role they play within their State. The toolkit offers eight resources: 1) a detailed explanation of SAG objectives, operations, and role in implementing a developmental approach to juvenile justice; 2) an overview of five characteristics that make SAGs effective State leaders in juvenile justice; 3) examples of common challenges in improving juvenile justice and how to overcome them; 4) a step-by-step guide for how SAGs can become more involved in improving State juvenile justice systems; 5) an instrument to assist SAGs in evaluating their current strengths and identifying areas needing growth; 6) JJDPA provisions on SAG composition and duties; 7) an overview of where SAGs can find training and technical assistance; and 8) additional resources that include useful links, examples, and materials. Appended supplementary details and additional resources

Date Published: July 1, 2016