As the only organization of its kind in the United States, the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN, “the Network”) is a membership-led organization that exists to support and enhance the work of state-based juvenile justice advocacy groups, and to join and raise their voices in demanding change both locally and nationally. Initially formed by a small and dedicated group of local organizations that recognized a need for an increased focus on state-level change, peer support and a national presence, the Network now comprises 41 members from 33 states, connecting these organizations to others across the country and amplifying their individual successes and struggles for collective gain. Through education, community-building and leadership development, NJJN provides strategic and substantive assistance to state-based change agents to help them address a wide array of juvenile justice reform needs. The Network believes that durable reforms are the result of inclusive, democratic movements for change; thus, we strive to include families, youth and victims in our reform community and to broaden the system reform movement through provision of resources to the public. NJJN and our members push towards the development of juvenile justice systems in which youth in conflict with the law are treated with dignity and humanity, in accordance with the latest research and science, and through processes that assist them in becoming successful members of society.

NJJN is led by a seven-member Executive Committee, which is supported by NJJN staff. Our work is driven by priorities set by NJJN’s governance committees and project-specific working groups, including the Forum Planning Committee, Policy Platform and Policy Paper Review Committees, Youth Justice Leadership Institute Planning Committee, Family Engagement Working Group, Rightsizing Juvenile Justice Working Group, and Victims Working Group. NJJN’s national partner organizations also support our work and members. NJJN’s national office is housed in Washington, D.C. The National Juvenile Justice Network is funded through generous grants from The Herb Block Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Public Welfare Foundation, Tow Foundation, membership dues, partner contributions, individual donations, and other unrestricted funds. The NJJN website and all related listservs are supported by NJJN membership dues.

The National Juvenile Justice Network is a partner to and fiscally sponsored by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice. The Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) is a national nonprofit comprising governor-appointed advisory groups on juvenile justice from the U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia. CJJ is based in Washington, D.C., yet reaches every U.S. state and territory.