Announcing the 2026 Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program Cohort

Posted in Announcements

The Center for Youth Justice at Georgetown University, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is thrilled to announce the six jurisdictions selected for the 2026 Transforming Juvenile Probation Certificate Program.

Traditional youth probation has too often relied on surveillance and compliance, which can inadvertently push youth deeper into the justice system without addressing their underlying needs. This intensive Certificate Program is designed to help multidisciplinary teams fundamentally redesign probation into a targeted, development-focused intervention that promotes personal growth and long-term success for young people.

The week-long program in Washington, D.C., marks the beginning of a multi-year journey toward system transformation. During the training and the subsequent technical assistance period, teams will evaluate their systems, adapt to new insights, and refine their initial concepts to develop comprehensive Capstone Projects tailored to their communities’ evolving needs.

We are incredibly excited by the momentum, visionary leadership, and regional diversity represented by this year’s cohort. Here is a brief look at the six jurisdictions joining us and the broad aspirations they are bringing to the table:

• Augusta, GA aims to transition from a compliance-driven structure to a developmentally responsive framework, exploring graduated responses, early service engagement, and enhanced community partnerships to safely reduce reliance on technical violations.
• Hinds County, MS is focused on shifting toward a community-integrated system of care. The team plans to explore the expansion of credible messenger mentorship and centralized enrichment hubs to connect young people with educational, workforce, and behavioral health supports that foster positive development and community safety.
• Metro Nashville & Davidson County, TN seeks to build a robust, system-wide framework of evidence-informed practices. The team hopes to align cross-agency efforts to ensure court interventions are consistently effective, developmentally appropriate, and supportive of long-term youth success.
• Sacramento County, CA intends to redesign its probation case planning process into a multidisciplinary, youth- and family-guided model. By utilizing shared decision-making frameworks, the team aims to provide individualized support and accountability that keep youth safely and productively engaged in their communities.
• Santa Cruz County, CA is dedicated to expanding collaborative “off-ramps” from the justice system, prioritizing early interventions and centering the voices of those with lived experience to ensure fair, responsive, and effective outcomes for all youth navigating the system.
• Memphis & Shelby County, TN aims to safely reduce its reliance on secure detention and electronic monitoring by expanding pre-adjudication alternative disposition models. The team is focused on expediting connections to targeted community services, ensuring that interventions are efficient, safe, and aligned with positive youth development.

While these initial goals provide a starting point, the true work of transformation is iterative. During their time in Washington, D.C., and through a year of dedicated technical assistance, these teams will actively collaborate to shape, refine, and expand their visions into actionable, cross-system Capstone Projects.

Please join us in congratulating these six jurisdictions as they step up to lead the next wave of youth probation transformation!