Juvenile Justice Resources

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Pathways of Engagement

Many non-faith-based organizations recognize that faith-based organizations are closely connected to their local communities, demonstrating an understanding of the unique value faith communities bring in addressing complex social issues. Below are resources and pathways of engagement for houses of worship and faith-based organizations to deepen involvement in the juvenile justice sphere, with a recognition that siloed work in the nonprofit sector may limit the efficacy of services.

The following section is designed to provide an overview of the juvenile justice system, offer a framework for connecting Christian values to juvenile justice work, and present tangible steps for translating care into action. These resources are designed to be accessible so that they can be passed along to congregants, program volunteers, or anyone who may benefit from this material.

What this section contains:

The Opportunity: Integration of Heart, Head, and Hands
Pathways of Engagement for Faith Leaders and Congregations
Pathways of Engagement for FBOs – Forming Partnerships

The Opportunity:

Integration of Heart, Head, and Hands

Head: What is the current status of Juvenile Justice?

Juvenile justice refers to the state and local court-based systems “whose purpose is to respond to young people who come into contact with law enforcement and are accused of breaking the law” (Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2020). Juvenile justice includes both formal court processes as well as informal processing of youth complaints through diversion. The resources listed below further explain the juvenile justice system.

Additional Resources:

What is Juvenile Justice? (AECF): This blog from the Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF) provides an accessible overview of the juvenile justice system, including how it differs from the adult criminal justice, the process, and current problems with the system.
OJJDP Resource: Similar to the AECF blog, this resource from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention presents an overview of juvenile justice in bullet-point form.
Practical Application of Theological Framework: Promoting Evidence-Based Practices in Juvenile Justice Reform: This brief explores several well-researched practices in juvenile justice reform.
Juvenile Justice Legislation Database: Juvenile Justice policy is largely under the purview of states and localities. If you are curious about juvenile justice policy, this database tracks past legislation and the status of current bills.
Youth Justice by the Numbers: This report by The Sentencing Project provides data on rates of juvenile incarceration in addition to racial disparities within the juvenile justice system. While significant progress has been made on overall rates of youth incarceration over the past 50 years, Black youth are 5.6 times more likely to be incarcerated compared to white youth, Native youth are 3.8 times more likely to be incarcerated compared to white youth, and Latino youth are 25% more likely to be incarcerated compared to white youth.

Practice: Imagine someone from your church asks you about juvenile justice. Assuming this person has minimal context for the topic, how would you explain the juvenile justice system to them?

Hearts: Why should Christians care about Juvenile Justice?

“Juvenile Justice as a Christian & Family Supportive Policy Issue: A Theological Framework”: This framework is just one way to structure juvenile justice advocacy as a Christian and family supportive policy issue and is designed in such a way that emphasizes CPJ’s unique perspective on public justice, the role of government, and the role of various institutions in a pluralistic society. Our hope is that this framework might inspire further conversation and grounding on how juvenile justice can be viewed as a policy issue important for Christians to care about.

Discussion questions for fostering internal organizational dialogue:

Why are faith-based organizations an important stakeholder in juvenile justice work?
How can we connect our faith convictions to our particular organization’s focus?
How can we communicate this connection to other faith groups (churches, etc.) in our network?

Hands: How can communities engage?

Many organizations engaged in juvenile justice–faith-based and non-faith-based alike–often rely on volunteer and individual donor support, meaning organizations see churches as a key partner for increasing capacity. The following sections include specific pathways of engagement for mobilizing the support of faith communities and churches.

Education: How can I tell others about juvenile justice?

Related to the “head” component of the “Head, Heart, Hands” framework, educating those in your network about juvenile justice concerns is a key pathway of engagement. From a conversation at a bible study to a missions spotlights to a Sunday service are two ways–both informal and formal–to communicate information about juvenile justice.

Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to shed light on an issue. Yet, it is important that this storytelling is done in a manner that does not create additional harm for justice-involved youth, who are already a vulnerable population. This toolkit, created by the National Juvenile Justice Network is an excellent resource for crafting stories that are authentic without being exploitative. Below are several key points presented in the toolkit:

When telling the stories of young people involved in the justice system, be clear about your intentions and remain transparent throughout the process.
Prepare a consent form and ensure youth are informed about the risks and benefits of sharing their stories, especially if they have a pending legal case.
Work to establish an ongoing, professional relationship with the young person before and after sharing their story.

Church mobilization: How can I strengthen my church’s involvement in juvenile justice efforts?

While mission engagement looks different in various church denominations and contexts, many organizations that have established strong church partnerships emphasize the success of establishing teams or “tasks forces” composed of lay members of the congregation. Work in the juvenile justice and child welfare space can be heavy and taxing, and so forming a team is helpful for morale, sustainability, and shared mission.

DC127, one of CPJ’s partner organizations, thinks significantly about what church engagement looks like and has developed a robust framework for establishing church partnerships.

DC127

Hear from Chrissy Weeks, DC127 Executive Director, about how these partnerships have been essential for DC127’s mission:

When DC127 began as an organization, the focus was on rallying the Church in DC around the call to “care for orphans and widows in their distress” by encouraging church members to prayerfully consider becoming a licensed foster home in D.C. Ritu Atwal, then program manager for the Child and Family Services’ family resource division, called DC127 the first large-scale effort of its kind in the city and highlighted the need to “get more foster parents in the District that will be able to take our children. They go through a lot of trauma already. If you can keep them in the same school district, the same church, …although they’re leaving their biological homes, they’re not removed from their communities” (Washington Post, 2013).

As the list of DC foster homes grew, we began to work upstream to prevent the need for family separations in the first place. In 2018, DC127 established a foster care prevention partnership with CFSA, known today as our Communities for Families program. That same year, we formalized the structure of our Church Mobilization program by establishing partnership agreements and recruiting Church Advocates — lay leaders who serve as a bridge between their church and DC127. These advocates help their congregations live out their calling to serve vulnerable children and families by actively advancing DC127’s mission within their church community.

After partnering with churches for a number of years, we designed a “Tiers of Church Engagement” framework to provide clear, accessible on-ramps for churches to participate in our mission at a level that fits their capacity, readiness, and calling. Not every church is able to engage in the same way or at the same pace, and this structure allows us to meet congregations where they are while offering a pathway for deeper involvement over time. By outlining distinct levels of engagement, we create clarity, set shared expectations, and ensure that each partnership is both meaningful and sustainable, ultimately strengthening our collective ability to support children and families impacted by the foster care system.

DC127 hopes to see the Church work together, across denominations and geography, for the sake of justice and good of our city. Through the power and participation of the body of Christ, we long to be a city where more families are ready to welcome children than there are children waiting for a home.

How can I recognize the needs and opportunities in my locality and avoid reinventing the wheel?

Attending coalitions/community task force meetings
Financial and volunteer partnerships with existing orgs: The appendix included in this landing page is a baseline resource to determine what faith-based juvenile justice organizations may exist in your locality.

How else can I become involved in juvenile justice advocacy and support those affected by the juvenile justice system?**

Attending courthouse proceedings
- Discussed in Reimagining Youth Justice Toolkit
Delivering Christmas presents/providing resources to local youth detention facilities
Mentoring, tutoring, or language services
Visiting detention centers

**For further ways to involve your church in support of justice-involved youth, please visit the toolkit “Reimagining Youth Justice: How Faith-Based Leaders Can Get Involved” by CPJ and Community Connections for Youth.

Forming Partnerships

I want to better understand the needs of my community. What opportunities are there to be part of conversations about how to support youth and families?

Coalitions and community task forces: These groups want a variety of perspectives but often lack the perspective of faith communities, this is a great way to establish in-roads with local government and community officials.

Example:

The Maryland Youth Justice Coalition is a network of organizations “dedicated to preventing children and adolescents from becoming involved in the legal system, upholding the highest standards of care when youth do enter the legal system, and ensuring a platform for system-involved youth and their families to be heard.” Two faith-based organizations, the Maryland Catholic Conference and Bridge Maryland, serve on this coalition, providing needed perspective on how faith-based organizations can support justice-involved youth.

I believe church engagement will help my organization increase capacity. What are some strategies to involve churches in our work?

Forming church partnerships strategies: willingness to have face-to-face meetings with clergy, being specific about goals (ex: we would like to see 5 members of church become volunteers), tabling at church, etc.

Hear from Rev. Carrie Leader, COO of Houston reVision, on the advice she gives for organizations looking to strengthen church involvement:

Q. What is one piece of advice you would give to an organization just beginning engagement in juvenile justice advocacy?

A. Two things have been key to our success in partnering with churches and other curious individuals who feel they might want to participate in the work: demystifying our population and explaining the school-to-prison pipeline. Our strategy is to invite, without obligation, anyone who wants to learn more about us at an hour-long orientation presentation. These often happen immediately after a worship service, and we serve food. On the following Sunday, in that same timeframe, we offer mentor training for those who are serious about moving forward. Background checks, scenarios, active listening and processes are all covered. Because this is solitary work that we don’t do alone, we encourage the faith communities to develop a cohort that can act like a support group. Since everyone in the group is cleared and trained, they can discuss their challenges and highlights with one another. This is best done with a leader who can tie it to the spiritual growth that also happens. In Christianity, we often say we are doing Gospel work.

DC 127 Partnership Framework and Overview

Learn from Chrissy Weeks, Executive Director of DC 127, on the framework they use to engage churches.

DC127’s mission is to strengthen and stabilize families impacted by the foster care system in Washington, DC, by mobilizing the Church to provide wraparound support. As a result of this work, our vision is that every child in DC would have a permanent, safe, and loving home.

Why the Church?

DC127 believes the local Church is God’s primary means for justice and transformation in the world and in the lives of individuals. Not only is the Church commanded to “care for the widow and orphan in their distress” as part of its mission, the Church is uniquely equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit to share both the love and tangible support that exists within the family of God.

Partnering with churches is strategic because strong, caring communities already exist within them and we are called to extend that love to the most vulnerable in our city. Many of the families that are connected with DC127 lack consistent, healthy support systems, but the body of Christ is uniquely positioned to provide a lasting, transformative community for children and families impacted by the foster care system.

Partnering Philosophy

Our church partnerships are guided by a collaborative and empowering philosophy:

With, Not For: We work with churches, not for them. Each church is invited to own the vision in a way that fits their context.
Relational Over Transactional: We prioritize relationships over programs, focusing on building trust and consistency over time.
Strength-Based Approach: We help churches identify and mobilize the unique gifts, skills, and passions within their congregation.
Long-Term Commitment: We are not seeking one-time involvement, but sustained engagement that leads to lasting impact for families.

DC127’s Role in Church Partnerships

We serve as a bridge between churches and the child welfare community, equipping churches to engage effectively and responsibly.

Vision Casting & Engagement

Introduce the needs of children and families impacted by foster care in DC
Envision congregations to see their role in the work
Provide clear and accessible volunteer opportunities for involvement

Training & Equipping

Offer trauma-informed training for volunteers
Provide best practices for trauma-informed care
Equip DC127 Church Advocates and church leaders to sustainably lead this work internally

Matching & Coordination

Partner with child welfare agencies and community organizations to identify families in need
Thoughtfully match families with church-based teams (i.e. small groups, etc.)
Ensure expectations and boundaries are clear for all parties

Ongoing Support & Coaching

Provide regular coaching to Communities for Families volunteers
Troubleshoot challenges and celebrate successes
Offer resources and guidance as needs evolve

Community Building

Create opportunities for churches to connect with one another
Share stories of impact and learning across the network
Foster a sense of shared mission across congregations

What We Ask of Our Church Partners

While each church engages in a way that reflects its context, we invite partners into a shared commitment:

Appoint a Church Advocate(s) (non-staff member) who will raise up volunteers and partner with church leadership to ensure caring for families impacted by foster care is woven into the fabric of the congregation year-round.
Present DC127 to your church at least twice a year with one presentation from a DC127 representative.
Commit to supporting and praying for any volunteers and/or foster and kinship families in your congregation
Invest financially in DC127’s work or take up an offering on behalf of DC127

Outcomes & Impact

Through strong church partnerships, we aim to see:

Increased stability for foster, kinship, and families who are at-risk of having their children removed into foster care
Reduced isolation for caregivers and children
More families stepping into fostering or kinship care
Stronger connections between churches and their surrounding communities
A growing, citywide network of churches engaged in this work

Conclusion

Our vision is a city where every child is known, loved, and supported, not just by a family, but through a committed community. The local church plays a vital role in making that vision a reality. DC127 is committed to walking alongside churches as they live out this calling, equipping them to be a consistent and transformative presence in the lives of children and families impacted by foster care across Washington, DC.

I want to form partnerships with other stakeholders. What opportunities and strategies are there?

Clarity on organization, both from a mission and programming standpoint: see section “Approaching Funding Sources: The “Pre-Work”: Questions to Consider and Resources to Utilize” for further guidance.
Create a memorandum of agreement to provide written clarity on how organizations are partnering

Beyond partnerships, I want to apply for grants to increase the financial capacity of our organization. What opportunities for funding are available to my organization as a FBO in the juvenile justice sphere?

The next section of the landing page, titled “Approaching Funding Sources” provides guidance on increasing capacity through finding.