Juvenile Law Center

Juveniles for Justice, one of our youth engagement programs, includes young people who have been involved in the juvenile justice system and offers the youth an opportunity to assess the system's strengths and weaknesses, and then develop and implement advocacy projects to improve the system.

Juveniles for Justice selects new Youth Advocates and a new issue each year, starting in early fall.

In 2011-2012, Juveniles for Justice Youth Advocates focused on promoting effective case planning in Pennsylvania—specifically, a computerized case planning program developed by the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission (JCJC) that enables probation officers, delinquent youth, and their families to develop a plan together to meet the youth's specific needs. 

JCJC's computerized case plan is created before the youth's placement to determine how to meet his or her needs—including education, housing, and job readiness—during and after placement. This individualized case plan, which enables youth to give input and participate in their own rehabilitative process, is updated as progress is made and services are put in place. 

In addition to advocating for this plan, Juveniles for Justice Youth Advocates produced the video below for probation officers and other juvenile justice officials who are training to use the case plan. The video explores the juvenile justice system from a youth perspective, demonstrating how effective and individualized case planning can help youth achieve their goals for the future.