What is the Models for Change juvenile justice systems reform initiative?
Models for Change is a national initiative to guide and accelerate the nation’s momentum toward a more fair, rational, effective and developmentally appropriate approach to juvenile justice. Funded and supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the 16-state juvenile justice systems reform initiative is rooted in the Foundation’s decades-long support for juvenile justice research and interest in youth development. Models for Change was initiated in response to significant shifts that occurred during the 1990’s to move more youth out of the juvenile justice system and treat them as adults. Models for Change is currently active in four core states—Pennsylvania, Illinois, Louisiana and Washington—and twelve additional partner states— Maryland, Wisconsin, Kansas, North Carolina (Disproportionate Minority Contact Action Network) California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey (Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network) and Connecticut, Colorado, Ohio, Texas (Mental Health/
