An Introduction to Who We Are
CfJJ is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation.
It is governed by a Board
of Directors and has three paid staff.
It is supported by dues from individual and organizational
members, charitable donations, and grants from
foundations and corporations (See Support.)
Our Mission
CfJJ advocates for a fair and effective juvenile justice system in Massachusetts, designed to promote the healthy development of children and youth so they can grow up to live as responsible and productive adults in our communities.
Our History
CfJJ was founded in 1994 by a diverse group of juvenile justice professionals
(see our founders here
) concerned by erosion of the key underlying principles
of the juvenile justice system: that children
should be treated differently than adults and
that their treatment should focus on rehabilitation.
The coalition was originally conceived in response
to the passage of a regressive juvenile justice
law, but quickly expanded its attention towards
a wide-range of problems facing the Commonwealth's
juvenile justice system. CfJJ's work over the
last fifteen years has included surveying public
opinion about the juvenile justice system, leading
successful efforts to block the proposed transfer
of the Department of Youth Services from the Executive
Office of Health and Human Services to the Executive
Office of Public Safety, helping to persuade Governor
Mitt Romney to completely overhaul the Juvenile
Justice Advisory Committee, explaining the juvenile
justice system through the publication of two
Fact Books, and focusing attention on particular
issues in the juvenile justice system (including
Girls, Mental Health, Disproportionate Minority
Contact and Detention) with the publication of
On-line Updates and Fact Sheets.
Our Current Focus
During its strategic planning process in 2004, CfJJ's Board identified two key systemic issues as the primary focus of CfJJ's work over the next 2-3 years: reducing racial disparities in the juvenile justice system (known as "disproportionate minority contact" or DMC) and enhancing community-based services and opportunities to reduce the current over-reliance on confinement. In addition to collecting data and sharing information with the public, CfJJ advocates for policies and practices that will effectively and fairly address these critical issues. CfJJ also continues to respond, particularly as a catalyst and convenor, to critical needs and opportunities in the juvenile justice system as they emerge.
CfJJ organizes 2-3 Juvenile Justice Forums each year which present speakers on important current issues in a setting that invites informal discussion with the audience. The Forums are free and open to the public. CfJJ also hosts an annual Juvenile Justice Celebration in late fall. The Celebration is a wine and hors d'oeuvres reception that features distinguished speakers and honors individuals who have made special contributions to the field, celebrates the entire community of people who work with and on behalf of at-risk youth - and helps raise money for CfJJ through corporate sponsorships and ticket sales.
We send information about these and other events, as well as important news articles, legislation, and research reports, to our members and others on our "JJ News" list". If you would like to join the list, please email us at cfjj@cfjj.org.
Our Leadership
See our Board of Directors here.
See our Staff here.
We send information about these and other events, as well as important news articles, legislation, and research reports, to our members and others on our "JJ News" list". If you would like to join the list, please email us at cfjj@cfjj.org.
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