TYJI is dedicated to the training and education of state and local officials, non-profit professionals, community members, policymakers and future reformers. The Transforming Youth Justice Program is also designed to promote, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based practices, programs and policies related to youth justice, focusing on the needs of youth up to the age of 24 and the individuals dedicated to serving these young people and their families.
History
The Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) at the University of New Haven developed the Transforming Youth Justice Program as a way to ensure that future leaders in juvenile justice reform will be equipped with the tools to be effective and forward thinking in their fields that relate to the youth justice. is dedicated to the training and education of state and local officials, non-profit professionals, community members, policymakers and future reformers. It is also designed to promote, monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence-based practices, programs and policies related to youth justice, focusing on the needs of youth up to the age of 24 and the individuals dedicated to serving these young people and their families.
The Transforming Youth Justice Program is an annual program that kicks off in September each year and concludes in June. The nine monthly one-day sessions are augmented with a field experience, readings, or events between sessions, and culminate in a Capstone project. The Capstone proposals turn dialogue into action on critical youth justice issues at the local, regional and/or statewide level. They are developed through a guided process while exploring relevant youth justice topics, preparing to deliver presentations on best practices, and reflecting on key learnings.
The 2024 Cohort is the 9th cohort of the program and its participants will join 116 leaders in reform who have now taken their new knowledge and expertise back to their professional positions in juvenile justice and youth development.
As agents of change, fellows comprise the Alumni Network and have opportunities to participate in statewide reform efforts by joining Juvenile Justice Policy Oversight Committee workgroups, nominate and recommend colleagues for new cohorts, review candidate applications, provide peer review of presentations, encourage colleagues and mentees to apply, and suggest new resources and experienced presenters.
Goals
The goals of the Transforming Youth Justice Program are:
To build the capacity of current and aspiring justice reformers to implement best practices in youth justice reform.
To advance youth justice reformer’s knowledge to lead reform within Connecticut.
To cultivate a statewide network of youth justice reformers who serve as a resource to the community.
Cohort Program
The goal of the program is: To build the capacity of current and aspiring justice reformers to implement best practices in youth justice reform. To advance youth justice reformer’s knowledge of how to lead reform within Connecticut. To cultivate a statewide network of youth justice reformers who serve as a resource to the community. Participation in the Transforming Youth Justice increases visibility and links individuals with a wide range of organizations, and regional/state networks to state and national level juvenile justice system changes. The program creates safe spaces for learning and critical reflection on a developmental approach to juvenile justice (e.g. adolescent brain research), the use of best practices (family outreach and active engagement), and tools for measuring results (Results-Based Accountability and data-driven decisions). Completion of the program involved a capstone proposal detailing ways participants planned to improve the youth justice system.
Current Cohort Members
Candidates for the program are those involved in the youth justice field and employed as mid-level employees in law enforcement/policing, state and local government, public and private agencies, non-profit service providers, and includes broader community members such as middle and high school educators, policymakers, community leaders, faith leaders, parents, and advocates.
Participation in the Transforming Youth Justice Program increases visibility and links individuals with a wide range of organizations, and regional/state networks to state and national level juvenile justice system changes. The program creates safe spaces for learning and critical reflection on a developmental approach to juvenile justice (e.g. adolescent brain research), the use of best practices, family outreach and active engagement, and tools for measuring results (RBA and data-driven decisions)
Apply for Cohort
SJS presents two distinct fellowship programs, each a unique launchpad for leaders committed to reforming youth justice.
Which path will ignite your passion? Explore our two opportunities, find the one that matches your vision for change, and apply to join the next wave of leaders.