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Juvenile Justice

MacArthur supports juvenile justice reform in 40 states primarily through its Models for Change initiative, which aims to accelerate a national juvenile justice reform movement to improve the lives of young people in trouble with the law, while enhancing public safety and holding young offenders accountable for their actions. Read our strategy and the current status of our work

What's New

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November 14, 2017 - In The Media

"Racial Disparities Persist After Years of Juvenile Justice Reform, Models for Change Leaders Say"

Juvenile Justice Information Exchange
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August 15, 2017 - From The Field
Kentucky Rules that Death Sentences for People Under 21 Are Unconstitutional thumbnail

Kentucky Rules that Death Sentences for People Under 21 Are Unconstitutional

A Kentucky circuit court judge ruled that death sentences for 18-, 19-, or 20-year-olds are cruel and unusual punishment. Read More
August 11, 2017 - Publication
How to Keep Kids Who Misbehave Out of the Justice System thumbnail

How to Keep Kids Who Misbehave Out of the Justice System

A report takes a close look at "status offenses," behaviors that are only illegal because of a person's status as a minor, such as truancy, running away, or violating curfew. Read More
July 5, 2017 - In The Media

"Inspiring America: A Program That Guides Young People From Gangs to Graduation"

NBC News
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June 28, 2017 - From The Field
North Carolina ‘Raises the Age’ thumbnail

North Carolina ‘Raises the Age’

North Carolina is the final U.S. state to raise the age of teens who will be tried in juvenile court. Read More
April 17, 2017 - In The Media

"A California Court for Young Adults Calls on Science"

The New York Times
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April 14, 2017 - Publication
Evaluations of the Models for Change Initiative and the National Campaign to Reform State Juvenile Justice Systems thumbnail

Evaluations of the Models for Change Initiative and the National Campaign to Reform State Juvenile Justice Systems

This evaluation reveals insight on two initiatives that influenced juvenile justice policies and outcomes for youth and public safety throughout the country. Read More
April 12, 2017 - From The Field
Juvenile Justice Reform Takes Hold in New York thumbnail

Juvenile Justice Reform Takes Hold in New York

New York State has approved juvenile justice reforms that will keep thousands of teenagers out of adult courts and adult correctional facilities. Read More
December 24, 2016 - In The Media

"The Long-Term Costs of Fining Juvenile Offenders"

The New Yorker
Related Grantee: Juvenile Law Center
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December 21, 2016 - In The Media

"You’re an Adult. Your Brain, Not So Much."

The New York Times
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  • Representative Grants

    National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

    Reno, Nevada
    2015

    $750,000 To monitor and report changes in the national juvenile justice landscape through the Juvenile Justice GPS, Geography, Policy/Practice and Statistics website.

  • Representative Grants

    National Juvenile Defender Center

    Washington, District of Columbia
    2015

    $500,000 To target outreach to new professional and policy groups and to support the national diffusion of Models for Change resources and innovations in juvenile defense policy and practice.

  • Representative Grants

    Kennesaw State University Research and Service Foundation

    Kennesaw, Georgia
    2015

    $300,000 maintenance of the Juvenile Justice Resource Hub, which provides online news consumers with resources related to juvenile justice reform in the United States, while transitioning updating and oversight responsibilities to Kennesaw State University.

  • Representative Grants

    Policy Research, Inc.

    Delmar, New York
    2015

    $495,000 To support the Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Collaborative for Change Resource Center.

  • Representative Grants

    National Association of Counties Foundation

    Washington, District of Columbia
    2015

    $750,000 To advance effective local justice systems reform nationally by providing information, technical assistance, and support to county leaders on innovative policies and practices to improve public safety and reduce over-reliance on incarceration (over two years).

View All GrantsGrant Guidelines

Models for Change

Accelerating reform of juvenile justice systems across the country

Models for Change Resource Center Partnership

Helping juvenile justice practitioners, policymakers tackle issues central to improving outcomes for kids and communities.

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News & Events Updates

Staff

Portrait of Valerie Chang

Valerie Chang

Managing Director, Programs
Portrait of Laurie R. Garduque

Laurie R. Garduque

Director, Criminal Justice
Portrait of Patrick Griffin

Patrick Griffin

Senior Program Officer, Criminal Justice
Portrait of Soledad McGrath

Soledad McGrath

Program Officer, Criminal Justice
Portrait of Mary McClanahan Thiel

Mary McClanahan Thiel

Team Coordinator
Portrait of Gabriela Suarez

Gabriela Suarez

Senior Grants Manager

Media Contact

Portrait of Meredith Klein

Meredith Klein

Senior Communications Officer

Evaluation Contact

Portrait of Maurice Samuels

Maurice Samuels

Program Officer