Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice: Recommendations of the LGBT Subcommittee - Advancing the Reform Process for LGBQ/GNCT Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

• NCJ Number: 250675
• Date Published: March 2017
• Length: 11 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance); Program/Project Description; Legislation/Policy Analysis

Annotation

These recommendations of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Subcommittee of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) provide guidance on actions that the U.S. Justice Department's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) can take to support State and local juvenile justice reform through Federal action and by providing a "roadmap" for how a model juvenile justice system would address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, gender nonconforming, and transgender (LGBQ/GNCT) youth.

Abstract

The LGBT subcommittee is composed of 3 members of the FACJJ and 18 leaders from across the country with diverse knowledge and experience. They include policy professionals, social science researchers, public defenders, probation officers, advocates, and State and local civil servants. All work with and/or identify as LGBQ/GNCT youth. The LGBT Subcommittee's recommendations are grouped into the following four categories: 1) Policy and Program Development; 2) Framing and Technical Assistance; 3) Data Collection and Research; and 4) Federal LGBT Juvenile Justice Coordination. Recognizing that family rejection, homelessness, failed safety nets, school discipline policies, and discriminatory policing can be "gateways" for LGBQ/GNCT youth to enter the juvenile justice system, these recommendations are also intended to improve other systems that serve these youth, including child welfare and education systems. In implementing the recommendations, the LGBT Subcommittee requests that OJJDP create internal accountability measures to ensure progress; provide opportunities for the Subcommittee to follow-up with Justice Department officials; and schedule a meeting between the new leadership and LGBQ/GNCT stakeholders.