What's at Stake?
Federal investments play an essential role in state juvenile justice efforts to protect youth and promote safe communities. When coupled with state, local, and private dollars, federal investments seed and support the development, implementation, and sustainability of optimal juvenile justice and delinquency prevention systems and practices in U.S. states, the District of Columbia, territories, and native lands, as well as local jurisdictions.
Overall support of key juvenile justice programs has declined to the lowest levels in more than a decade, impacting states' ability to serve youth. Cuts have weakened the federal-state partnership and slowed national, state, and local progress in this area. Many states have had to reduce services, and further cuts would result in fewer youth having access to services designed to keep them out of trouble and on the right path. When surveyed by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, 89% of member states reported that federal cuts would reduce services designed to keep young people from offending and penetrating deeper into the juvenile and criminal justice system.
ACT4JJ Historical Federal Funding Chart