The Process

Improving Outcomes for Youth (IOYouth) works with state and local jurisdictions to align their policies, practices, and resource allocation with what research shows works to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth while enhancing public safety.

IOYouth’s data-driven technical assistance process takes a collaborative, jurisdiction-driven approach by convening leaders across all branches of government to identify challenges to improving youth outcomes in the juvenile justice system, determine administrative and policy priorities, and enact system changes.

The process also focuses on improving youth outcomes by helping states and local jurisdictions apply policies and practices that are proven to reduce recidivism and improve other outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system.

Through IOYouth, staff at the CSG Justice Center partner with states or local jurisdictions over an 18-month period to establish a state- or jurisdiction-wide task force; conduct a data-driven assessment of the juvenile justice system, from the point a youth is referred to the system through a youth’s reentry into the community.

The CSG Justice Center works with states and local jurisdictions to conduct the following activities:

The CSG Justice Center has an extensive track record of supporting state and local juvenile justice system improvement efforts, having worked with more than 20 states and countless local jurisdictions to improve statewide supervision, services, and the efficient use of resources; develop strategic plans; identify system-wide performance measures and data collection strategies; and provide training and technical assistance to reduce recidivism rates and improve other key outcomes for youth.