New grant funding to support court improvements for youth & young adults

Five state courts have been awarded grants to improve responses for youth and young adults involved in the justice system.

California, Minnesota, Montana, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will benefit from State Justice Institute (SJI) grants totaling $515,000 for systems assessments, action planning, and implementation to support young people who enter juvenile or adult criminal courts.  

NCSC is one of the partners supporting these states through its participation in the Training and Technical Assistance Collaborative (TTAC). 

NCSC will support California by assessing its young adult courts and identifying best practices for those courts and for other programs serving justice-involved individuals ages 18 to 25.

"We are proud to partner in this important initiative to enhance justice for young people," said NCSC Managing Director Nora Sydow. "Our goal is to help courts implement informed practices, foster safer communities, and pave the way for brighter futures."

New approaches for justice-involved youth, young adults

Young people who enter juvenile or adult criminal courts often face siloed responses, limited services, and policies that do not reflect their developmental needs. These barriers reduce opportunities for growth and second chances.

"Courts must move beyond siloed approaches to better serve young people at every stage of the justice system," said Michelle White, SJI senior program advisor. "These grants allow courts to assess their current practices and develop improvements that are effective, developmentally appropriate, and focused on expanding opportunities for young people to thrive."

Elevating the dialogue 

Following the National Convening on the State Courts' Role in Effective Justice for Young People in March, the five grant recipients requested additional assistance to improve their efforts and build on momentum gained during the event.

The convening — hosted by the National Center for State Courts with support from the Conference of Chief Justices, Conference of State Court Administrators, and TTAC partners — was the first of its kind to bring together judges, court leaders, and professionals from 47 states and U.S. territories to address how courts can better serve youth and emerging adults with justice system involvement.

Continued support through collaboration

Each grant recipient will receive support from the collaborative — which includes NCSC, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the Council of State Governments, and the National Conference of State Legislatures. NCSC continues to support the larger national movement by promoting awareness and education through a monthly newsletter and webinar series.