Foreword

America has made great strides in developing an effective youth policy -- thanks, in large measure, to juvenile justice and other youth service professionals who are using what works, developing new approaches, and applying research and evaluation information to control juvenile crime and improve our juvenile justice system.

OJJDP's Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent, and Chronic Juvenile Offenders provides an overarching approach to addressing juvenile crime and victimization. The Strategy emphasizes prevention and early intervention and the development of a system of graduated sanctions that holds youth accountable and protects communities.

The Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) Model is an effective tool for achieving youth accountability and enhancing community safety. BARJ can be used to combat delinquency in your State, county, or city. The three priorities of BARJ -- public safety, accountability, and competency development -- recognize both victim and offender restoration as critical goals of community justice. Achieving these goals leads to improved quality of life and increased safety for individuals and communities alike.

The Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model is the result of years of collaborative efforts by OJJDP's BARJ Project and juvenile justice professionals across the Nation, and will serve as a valuable resource for those seeking to carry out this constructive approach.

Shay Bilchik
Administrator
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention