The Real Costs and Benefits of Change: Finding Opportunities for Reform During Difficult Fiscal Times
Published Jul 14, 2010, National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN)
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The financial collapse of 2008 and 2009 means that almost all states are facing alarming budget shortfalls. Because of these fiscal crises, advocates can expect increasingly significant pushback from policymakers on issues of juvenile justice reform. Additionally, resources for successful programs for youth that are already in place may be threatened. Yet, far from being a time to hold back, now is the time to search for new opportunities to advocate for cost-effective juvenile justice reform.
This paper from the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) is a guide for advocates to help reinforce the value, both in terms of dollars and substance, of progressive programming for juveniles that leads to positive youth outcomes and healthy communities.
