Recent news

In one of the latest examples of efforts by the current administration to undo reforms, Attorney General Sessions has announced in a memo to Justice Department attorneys that they must review all “existing and contemplated consent decrees.” This directive calls into question the consent decrees negotiated by the Justice Department with cities and police forces throughout the country to address discriminatory practices and abuses by police.

Last night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Juvenile Law Center was honored to present three extraordinary individuals with our 2017 Leadership Prizes.

Yesterday, Juvenile Law Center’s Child Welfare Policy Director Jennifer Pokempner testified before Philadelphia City Council’s Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless on Councilwoman’s Blackwell’s Resolution 170027 to investigate ways the city can prevent homeless through new models.

Juvenile Law Center’s work on costs, fines and fees for youth in the juvenile justice system and their families featured in national news; Philadelphia changes citywide policy on “child support” fine collection.

A new study by the American Pediatrics Association (APA) entitled, How Does Incarcerating Young People Affect their Adult Health Outcomes? indicates that youth who are incarcerated have poor health outcomes as they mature into adults.

Medicaid to 26 is a provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which has allowed foster youth to stay insured after they leave care. It provides parity with other young people who have the option of staying on their parents’ plans until they are 26. This significant policy win has ensured that young people in vulnerable positions who need basic insurance and may experience health issues and/or disabilities have access to care.