The purpose of this study is to develop a sound research design for obtaining national estimates of youth involved in both the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and to identify strategies to improve coordination across systems.

OJJDP launched the Design Study of Dual System Youth to develop a sound research design for obtaining national estimates of youth involved in both the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and to identify effective strategies to improve coordination between the two systems. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act emphasizes the need to develop knowledge regarding the relationship between the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Youth who are involved in both systems are referred to as dual system or crossover youth.

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