The RFK National Resource Center and James Madison University (JMU) have aligned to create the Innovation Center for Youth Justice (ICYJ). Our shared mission and goals include national and international leadership for positive innovation in policy and practice in youth justice systems. The ICYJ will apply equal and fair justice for all youth and families. We will accomplish these goals through collaborative partnerships with youth justice practitioners and stakeholders, community members, state and local leaders and policy makers, researchers, students, youth and families.
This truly unique combination of activities, focused on the teaming and teaching of students and professionals alike, provides JMU the opportunity to collaborate with the RFK National Resource Center to become the pre-eminent national and international center of activity for youth justice reform.
ICYJ Features
- National and international field-based practice and policy innovation
- Partnerships with prominent youth justice leaders from across the country
- Collaborations with renowned researchers and scholars to advance reforms in the youth justice and affiliated youth-serving systems
- Ground-breaking, new undergraduate minor curriculum and internship program
Operational Principles
Consistent with the science of adolescent development and the research-informed hallmarks of an effective youth justice system, the ICYJ will achieve policy and practice reforms aligned with:
- Accountability without criminalization
- Alternatives to justice system involvement
- Individualized response based on assessment of needs and risks
- Confinement only when necessary for public safety
- Commitment to fairness and equality
- Awareness of disparate treatment and impact on overrepresentation of minority youth
- Family engagement
Pillars of Activity
- Training, Technical Assistance and Consultation: Continue and expand the provision of consultation, technical assistance, and training across state and local jurisdictions in the United States and across the globe to further enhance legislative, policy and practice reform to advance youth justice transformation.
- Literature and Scholarship: Continue and expand development of innovative frameworks, tools,
distance-learning and web-based teaching materials, and research to support the dynamic scholarship opportunities for enlightened students and engaged professionals in the field. - Research: Explore and create innovative research development opportunities to advance evidence and understanding of best practices in youth justice transformation.
- Forums and Symposium Events: Convene experienced leaders and practitioners from across the country who have championed youth justice in forums (in-person and virtual) to foster the development and exchange of innovative practices and reforms and create an active and expanding shared learning collaborative.
- Transforming Juvenile Justice Curriculum: Administer the newly approved, unique minor program of instruction (18 credit hours) to JMU students and provide an internship program among juvenile courts and probation departments from across the United States.
