The Community Development and Engagement Initiative
The Center for Youth Justice is proud to announce it is now accepting applications to join the Community Development and Engagement Initiative. The Initiative is a comprehensive program designed to advance fairness in practice within a selected jurisdiction’s youth justice system over a 12-month period of intensive, collaborative engagement. Thanks to the support of The Navigation Fund, there is no financial cost to participate in this initiative.
Addressing deep-seeded system inequities faced by socioeconomically marginalized youth, youth of color, and isolated youth in rural communities require more than simple policy reform. These problems demand a fundamental shift in how systems engage with communities, address power imbalances, and center the voices of those most impacted. This initiative recognizes that sustainable, fairness-centered transformation occurs when communities lead, when cross-sector partnerships share accountability, and when jurisdictions commit to examining historical harms alongside current practices.
Due to the intense collaboration and on-site partnership involved, only one jurisdiction will be selected at this time to participate. Over a 12-month period, CYJ and the selected jurisdiction will collaborate to:
- Engage in facilitated dialogues exploring local justice history and current system impact
- Dive deep into structured learning sessions on community organizing, power-sharing, and fairness-centered change strategies
- Co-create actionable plans rooted in community priorities and lived experience
Alongside on-site and virtual sessions, CYJ will provide ongoing coaching and technical assistance and support for implementing sustainable accountability structures.
Background
Youth involved in the legal system face profound disparities rooted in historic and chronic mistreatment and systemic inequities. Across the United States, youth of color, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Latino youth, as well as geographically isolated youth in rural communities, and socioeconomically marginalized youth, are disproportionately represented at every decision point in the justice system, from initial contact through disposition and placement. These disparities reflect not only current practices but generations of policy decisions that have marginalized communities and criminalized youth behaviors in ways that vary dramatically by race, geography, and economic circumstance.
Addressing these inequities requires more than policy reform; it demands a fundamental shift in how systems engage with communities, address power imbalances, and center the voices of those most impacted. The youth legal field stands at a critical juncture where traditional technical assistance models have proven insufficient to dismantle deeply embedded practices. This initiative recognizes that sustainable, fairness-centered transformation occurs when communities lead, when cross-sector partnerships share accountability, and when jurisdictions commit to examining historical harms alongside current practices.
A Fundamental Shift in How Systems Engage with Communities
The Community Development and Engagement Initiative is a 12-month project, beginning in September 2026, consisting of monthly on-site meetings and implementation support provided by the Center for Youth Justice for one selected jurisdiction.
CYJ staff will conduct monthly on-site visits to the awarded jurisdiction throughout the 12-month engagement. All convenings will take place on-site at the awarded jurisdiction to maximize local participation and community accessibility.
The Initiative is designed to co-create a fundamental shift in how systems engage with communities, and provide benefits not just to how a jurisdiction operates on the macro-level, but also enrich individuals on a micro-level.
Jurisdictional Benefits of Participation:
- Jurisdictional culture shift toward fairness-centered, community-driven decision-making
- Establishment of sustainable cross-sector partnerships with shared accountability
- Policy and practice reforms that reduce racial disparities and unnecessary system involvement
- Increased community capacity to influence and shape youth justice systems
- Enhanced reputation as a jurisdiction committed to meaningful racial justice work
- Contribution to national learning on effective community development approaches in youth justice
Individual Benefits of Participation:
- Individual participants develop enhanced community competency
- Staff gain practical skills in facilitation, community engagement, and adaptive leadership
- Participants build lasting professional relationships across traditional system silos
- Team members experience personal transformation in understanding power, privilege, and systemic oppression
- Youth and family participants develop leadership skills and pathways to ongoing advocacy
- Community members gain access to decision-making spaces previously closed to them
- Participating organizations strengthen internal capacity for equity-focused change
Application Guidelines
You can download the full Application Guidelines below. There are two documents (linked below) that must be completed and sent via email to centerforyouthjustice@georgetown.edu by Friday, July 10, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
The Application Form includes two sections that must be completed::
- A Community Development and Engagement Initiative Team Roster that lists all participating members of the jurisdiction.
- Five Application Questions that will help us understand your current landscape, collaborative capacity, and goals for participation.
In the Commitment Letter document, we’re asking that senior leadership from the organizing agency provide a brief statement of commitment to the process (no more than 300 words).
Informational Webinar
CYJ will conduct an open national webinar to present this opportunity to the field. Interested jurisdictions will have an opportunity to learn more about the initiative being offered and the expectations for the awarded community. This webinar will include a review of the project, the application submission process, and selection criteria.
- Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Eastern Time)
- Registration: Required via this registration link!
- Content: Overview of the initiative, application requirements, selection criteria, and Q&A