Balancing the Scales: Effective Strategies to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System

For decades, researchers and practitioners in juvenile justice have documented the over-representation of youth of color in the juvenile justice system. In recent years, 17 jurisdictions in 8 states have implemented the DMC Action Network approach to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in their juvenile justice systems. Using a data-driven approach, these jurisdictions developed objective screening instruments for secure detention, established alternatives to detention and out of home placement, engaged community members in system-reform efforts, increased cultural competence, and established systems of graduated responses for youth on probation. This presentation will discuss the DMC Action Network approach, successes and measurable results, and the strategies employed to overcome common challenges.

Tiana Davis, DMC Policy Director, Center for Children’s Law and Policy (DC)

To download the presentation, click the link below:

Balancing the Scales