In his proclamation, President Obama reminded Americans of their responsibility to ensure a “fair shot” for all children and challenged us all to observe this month by “taking action to support our youth.” The RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice is proud to support communities across the nation taking those actions every day. President Obama recognized that “simply having had contact with our justice system can lead to lifelong barriers and an increased likelihood of ending up in a cycle of incarceration.”
The jurisdictions with which we work are committed to reducing those contacts and interrupting this cycle. In taking on dual status youth reform and probation system reform – two of the focus areas addressed by the RFK National Resource Center – these communities are examining policy, practice, and organizational culture, and are embracing a new approach to addressing youth justice issues. This approach recognizes the uniqueness of the adolescent, the impact of trauma, and the value of community-based and education-based programs.
We applaud the President for recognizing the importance of this work, and celebrate the communities that have led the charge in improving the lives of youth through this approach. However, there is a great deal more to be done and we look forward to continued work throughout the nation supporting the vision of every youth as a successful and productive citizen.