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This site was archived January 1, 2018 and is no longer updated.

Initiative materials

Research and documents produced by the Models for Change initiative, including overviews, state-based publications, and annual conference documents. 

Read the overview report for each annual conference.

Read the Champions for Change awards programs.

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All Initiative materials publications

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Publication cover Models for Change Legacy Phase Evaluation Report
Mar 12, 2018, Hargreaves, M. B., Coffee-Borden, B., Young, D., Liberman, A., Sabirova, S., Bynum, L., Gonzalez, E., & Schooley, R
This report summarizes the findings of the Evaluation of the Models for Change Legacy Phase and reviews what has been achieved thus far to create fairer, more effective, and developmentally…
Publication cover Policy Brief: Assuring the Future of Developmental Reform in Juvenile Justice
Apr 24, 2017, Thomas Grisso, PhD
The mid-1990s saw the beginning of resistance to the punitive reform in juvenile justice that had gripped the nation for about ten years. A new perspective on juvenile justice arose, acknowledging…
Publication cover Models for Change 10th Annual Working Conference Conference Highlights
Feb 29, 2016, Models for Change
The 10th and final Models for Change Annual Working Conference was a fitting celebration of the Models for Change initiative and its many successes. Nearly 450 people, representing 46 states,…
Publication cover The Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist
Dec 15, 2015, Pennsylvania DMC Youth-Law Enforcement Corporation
This Checklist was developed with assistance from the MacArthur Foundation Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network to help to explain many of the consequences of being arrested as a juvenile in…
Publication cover Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist (Spanish)
Dec 15, 2015, Pennsylvania DMC Youth-Law Enforcement Corporation
This Checklist was developed with assistance from the MacArthur Foundation Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network to help to explain many of the consequences of being arrested as a juvenile in…
Publication cover The Adolescent Domestic Battery Typology Tool: Executive Summary
Dec 15, 2015, Northeast DuPage Family and Youth Services
There has been an increase in the number of youth referred to the juvenile justice system for charges related to abusing their parents. The Adolescent Domestic Battery Typologies Tool was developed…
Publication cover Champions for Change Awards Program 2015
Dec 8, 2015, Models for Change
Champions for Change are individuals working with Models for Change who have positively affected the lives of justice-involved youth, their families, and communities. Champions have helped pave the…
Publication cover Adolescent Domestic Battery Typology Tool Manual
Dec 8, 2015, Wendy Nussbaum, M.A., LCPC, Stuart M. Berry, M.S.W., LISW, Shannon Hartnett, M.A., Gina M. Vincent, Ph.D.
There has been an increase in the number of youth referred to the juvenile justice system for charges related to abusing their parents. The Adolescent Domestic Battery Typologies Tool (ADBTT) was…
Publication cover Trends in Juvenile Justice State Legislation 2011-2015
Oct 12, 2015, Sarah Alice Brown
In the past five years, juvenile justice reform legislation in the United States has grown at a remarkable pace. The recent shift in juvenile justice policy marks a clear departure from laws enacted…
Publication cover Overview Brief: The U.S. Supreme Court and the Transformation of Juvenile Sentencing
Sep 30, 2015, Elizabeth Scott, Thomas Grisso, Marsha Levick, and Laurence Steinberg
Three United States Supreme Court decisions of the past decade have delineated the principle that children are developmentally different from adults in ways that matter for the fair punishment of…
Publication cover Practitioner Brief: Applying a Developmental Framework to Juvenile Sentencing-What Forensic Experts and Attorneys Should Know
Sep 30, 2015, Elizabeth Scott, Thomas Grisso, Marsha Levick, and Laurence Steinberg
Recent decisions by the United States Supreme Court have severely restricted the use of life without parole for juvenile offenders (JLWOP). Affirming the principle that children are developmentally…
Publication cover Building Brighter Futures: Tools for Improving Academic and Career/Technical Education in the Juvenile Justice System
Apr 30, 2015, Juvenile Law Center
Across the country, students in the juvenile justice system are struggling in school. Research suggests that many enter the juvenile justice system well behind grade-level. In the absence of…
Publication cover Information Sharing Tool Kit-Second Edition
Jan 20, 2015, Juvenile Law Center and Robert F. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice
The Tool Kit website is designed to assist jurisdictions in creating and implementing information and data sharing initiatives to achieve better outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice…
Publication cover Champions for Change Awards Program 2014
Dec 9, 2014, Models for Change
Champions for Change are individuals working with Models for Change who have positively affected the lives of justice-involved youth, their families, and communities. Champions have helped pave the…
Publication cover Innovation Brief: Using Evidence-Based Intervention with Youth Who Have Committed Sexual Offenses
Dec 8, 2014, Illinois Models for Change Invitative
Despite a growing body of research challenging traditional assumptions about youth who sexually offend, few jurisdictions have made a systematic effort to use this research to re-engineer the way in…
Publication cover Innovation Brief: Mental Health Screening as a Valuable Tool for Truancy Intervention
Dec 8, 2014, Center for Children & Youth Justice
The Clark County Truancy Project (CCTP) was designed to effectively respond to truancy while reducing the need for formal court intervention. Research indicates that one of the most prevalent issues…
Publication cover Innovation Brief: Improving Behavorial Health and Community Support in Evening Reporting Centers
Dec 8, 2014, Illinois Models for Change Invitative
In Cook County, Illinois, the juvenile court has implemented a strong continuum of alternatives to detention. Evening Reporting Centers, or ERCs, are a key component in this continuum. As an…
Publication cover Innovation Brief: Effective Tools for Local/State Probation Officers
Dec 8, 2014, LSUHSC Institute for Public Health and Justice
Since the creation of probation services involving youth offenders, juvenile probation has evolved with a fluctuating history involving both rehabilitation and enforcement roles. Even today, juvenile…
Publication cover Innovation Brief: A Collaborative Approach to Truancy Reform
Dec 4, 2014, Center for Children & Youth Justice
High school dropout rates in Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State are significantly higher than the national average. Truancy is a clear predictor of high school dropout. The…
Publication cover 2013 Washington State Targeted Areas of Improvement & Strategic Opportunity for Technical Assistance Data Inventory
Apr 1, 2014, Andrew Wachter, Gene Siegel, Hunter Hurst
The 2013 Washington Targeted Areas of Improvement Report is the final in a series of data inventory reports that document Washington Models for Change progress and outcomes. This Endpoints Edition…
Publication cover Innovation Brief: Local Detention Reform Leading to State Adoption of Best Practice Detention Standards
Dec 12, 2013, Dana Kaplan, Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana & Stephen Phillippi, PhD, Louisiana State University School of Public Health: Institute for Public Health & Justice
Statewide standards for juvenile detention facilities were produced through a collaborative effort utilizing and accelerating local reforms from Models for Change sites in Louisiana. These standards…
Publication cover Measurable Progress Series: Redeploy Illinois
Dec 8, 2013, Jim Bray, Illinois Models for Change
Redeploy Illinois targets what some juvenile justice advocates have called a “perverse fiscal incentive” to commit youth to the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice. As in many…
Publication cover FINS (Families in Need of Services) Reform: How We Got Here (slides)
Dec 1, 2013, Ninth Judicial District, Louisiana; LSU Institute for Public Health and Justice
Publication cover Illinois Measurable Progress Updates
Dec 1, 2013, Illinois Models for Change, Loyola University Chicago
Publication cover Providing and Receiving Technical Assistance
Dec 1, 2013, Center for Children's Law and Policy; National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice; D. Alan Henry
Provides a brief overview of key aspects of technical assistance; Describes the distinctive approaches used to offer technical assistance through the Models for Change initiative; Discusses the…
Publication cover A Call to Action
Dec 1, 2013, Models for Change
At the close of 2013, Models for Change is turning to a wider effort to use what has been learned and achieved to expand and spread juvenile justice reform to new jurisdictions and audiences. This…
Publication cover Pennsylvania and MacArthur's Models for Change: The Story of a Successful Public-Private Partnership
May 3, 2013, Robert G. Schwartz
At the heart of the Models for Change story in Pennsylvania is the partnership between the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee…
Publication cover Champions for Change Awards Program 2012
Dec 3, 2012, Models for Change
Champions for Change are individuals working with Models for Change who have positively affected the lives of justice-involved youth, their families, and communities. Champions have helped pave the…
Publication cover District Attorney Guidelines (Louisiana)
Dec 1, 2012, Louisiana District Attorneys Association, LSU Institute for Public Health and Justice
Publication cover Research on Pathways to Desistance: December 2012 Update
Nov 30, 2012, Carol Schubert
This brief reports on four key findings: • The majority of young, serious offenders do not make a career of crime, and the original crime is not a good predictor of future patterns of offending;…
Publication cover Models for Change Update 2012: Headlines
Nov 30, 2012, Hunter Hurst, National Center for Juvenile Justice
Models for Change has been an effort to provide what it takes to support and grow comprehensive, organic change in multiple jurisdictions with varying histories, resources, strengths and…
Publication cover Measurable Progress: A Summary of Illinois Juvenile Justice Reforms
Oct 1, 2012, Various
This report summarizes some of the key changes in juvenile justice law, policy and practice that have taken place in Illinois during the period 2005 – 2012. These changes have accelerated over…
Publication cover Developing Statutes for Competence to Stand Trial in Juvenile Delinquency Proceedings: A Guide for Lawmakers
Apr 2, 2012, Kimberly Larson, Ph.D., J.D.; Thomas Grisso, Ph.D.; National Youth Screening & Assessment Project
The purpose of this guide is to assist states in developing legislation that will provide clear assistance for juvenile courts when applying competence to stand trial to juvenile court proceedings.…
Publication cover Adding Up Models for Change: Initial Findings from the Models for Change Database
Dec 9, 2011, Patrick Griffin, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Models for Change was deliberately designed to be wide-ranging—to support state and local reformers in a variety of settings, working in variety of issue areas, and taking a variety of…
Publication cover Models for Change Innovations in Practice
Nov 30, 2010, Patrick Griffin
This report briefly summarizes four promising practice innovations that have emerged from Models for Change funding and technical assistance in four key partner states, Pennsylvania, Illinois,…
Publication cover 2010 Overview of Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice
Nov 16, 2010, Models for Change
Provides an overview of the Models for Change initiative including: Background/Perspective, Framework, Grantmaking Strategy, Advancing the Models, Frequently Asked Questions, National Resource Bank…
Publication cover Sustaining Change: A Models for Change Guidebook
Jun 1, 2010, Janet K. Wiig, Joseph J. Cocozza, John A. Morris, Jennie L. Shufelt, and Kathleen R. Skowyra
Long-term program sustainability is perhaps one of the most challenging issues facing new and innovative juvenile justice programs today. All too often, programs receive start-up funding from…
Publication cover Models for Change Fourth Annual Working Conference Agenda - December 2009
Jan 8, 2010, Models for Change
Models for Change Fourth Annual Working Conference Agenda, December 7-9, 2009.
Publication cover Models for Change Fourth Annual Working Conference Participants List - December 2009
Jan 8, 2010, Models for Change
Models for Change Fourth Annual Working Conference Participants List, December 7-9, 2009.
Publication cover Research on Pathways to Desistance
Dec 9, 2009, Research Update Created for the Fourth Annual Models for Change National Working Conference
Juveniles can commit serious and sometimes violent offenses, from felony burglary to murder.. But only a minority of these serious offenders will go on to a lifetime of repeated crime; the rest will…
Publication cover Champions for Change Awards Program 2009
Dec 7, 2009, Models for Change
Champions for Change are individuals working with Models for Change who have positively affected the lives of justice-involved youth, their families, and communities. Champions have helped pave the…
Publication cover Models for Change 2009 Update: Core State Progress
Nov 2, 2009, Patrick Griffin, National Center for Juvenile Justice
Central to the Models for Change strategy is its long-termpartnership with four key states: Pennsylvania, Illinois, Louisiana,and Washington. By supporting comprehensive reformsin these core states,…
Publication cover Advances and Innovations Emerging from the Mental Health/Juvenile Justice Action Network: 2009 Update
Nov 1, 2009, National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
Offers a brief update on the Mental Health/Juvenile Justice Action Network’s strategic innovation group (SIG) projects. Through the SIG process, the Network developed and piloted front-end…
Publication cover Adolescent Legal Competence in Court
Jan 1, 2009, MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice
This brief details findings from the first comprehensive assessment of juvenile capacities to participate in criminal proceedings using measures of both trial-related abilities an developmental…
Publication cover Adolescent Legal Competence in Court
Jan 1, 2009, MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice
One of the pillars of the American justice system is the assurance that those who stand accused of crimes be mentally competent to understand and participate in their trials. The conventional…
Publication cover Models for Change 2008 Update: Gathering Force
Dec 9, 2008, Models for Change, National Center for Juvenile Justice
Outlines specific achievements made in each of the four Model States and three Action Networks since December 2007. Over the last year the sense of movement in the field of juvenile justice, of…
Publication cover The Second Century: Juvenile Justice Reform in Illinois
Dec 1, 2008, Mark Soler
This report illustrates significant achievements with policies and practices in Illinois' juvenile justice system. The report includes information on efforts to utilize data and public education to…
Publication cover Overview of The Models for Change Mental Health/Juvenile Justice Action Network
Apr 8, 2008, Models for Change Mental Health/Juvenile Justice Action Network
Provides information on the startup, organization and strategies of the iniative's Mental Health/Juvenile Justice Action Network including background on the issue of mental health in juvenile justice.
Publication cover Potential for Change: Louisiana Executive Summary
Nov 1, 2007, Center for Children's Law and Policy
Presents Louisiana-specific results of public opinion poll conducted in 2007 by Center for Children's Law and Policy (with research firm Belden Russonello and Stewart) to survey public attitudes on…
Publication cover Potential for Change: Pennsylvania Executive Summary
Nov 1, 2007, Center for Children's Law and Policy
Presents Pennsylvania-specific results of public opinion poll conducted in 2007 by Center for Children's Law and Policy (with research firm Belden Russonello and Stewart) to survey public attitudes…
Publication cover Potential for Change: Washington Executive Summary
Nov 1, 2007, Center for Children's Law and Policy
Presents Washington-specific results of public opinion poll conducted in 2007 by Center for Children's Law and Policy (with research firm Belden Russonello and Stewart) to survey public attitudes on…
Publication cover Potential for Change: Illinois Executive Summary
Nov 1, 2007, Center for Children's Law and Policy
Presents Illinois-specific results of public opinion poll conducted in 2007 by Center for Children's Law and Policy (with research firm Belden Russonello and Stewart) to survey public attitudes on…
Publication cover Potential for Change: Public Attitudes and Policy Preferences for Juvenile Justice Systems Reform
Nov 1, 2007, Center for Children's Law and Policy
Summary of findings from a public opinion poll that included over-sampling in the four Models for Change states to determine attitudes held by the public there. Americans' attitudes about youth, race…
Publication cover The Accelerating Pace of Juvenile Justice Reform
Oct 31, 2007, National Juvenile Defender Center, Justice Policy Institute
Outlines trends identified by a survey of state-level enactments and policy changes in 2006-2007.
Publication cover Models for Change: Illinois Workplan
Oct 31, 2007, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Outlines reform efforts in the second Model state, Illinois, which focusing on bringing about change in three areas identified as already ripe for improvement: juvenile court jurisdiction;…
Publication cover Models for Change: Louisiana Workplan
Oct 31, 2007, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Outlines reform efforts in the third Model state, Louisiana, which focusing on bringing about change in three areas identified as already ripe for improvement: alternatives to formal processing and…
Publication cover Models for Change: Pennsylvania Workplan
Oct 31, 2007, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Outlines reform efforts in the first Model state, Pennsylvania, which focusing on bringing about change in three areas identified as already ripe for improvement: mental health and juvenile justice…
Publication cover Models for Change: Washington Workplan
Oct 31, 2007, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Outlines reform efforts in the fourth Model state, Washington, which focusing on bringing about change in three areas identified as already ripe for improvement: alternatives to formal processing and…
Publication cover Vision 2008 and Beyond : The Jefferson Parish Children and Youth Planning Board Comprehensive Plan
Oct 8, 2007, Roy L. Juncker, Jr.
To put forward a comprehensive plan detailing our Children and Youth Planning Board and our juvenile justice reform efforts. This document is a “living” document and is updated annually.
Publication cover Washington State Models for Change Initiative: Selected County Highlights
Dec 31, 2006, National Center for Juvenile Justice, Gregg Halemba, Gene Siegel
Provides statistics on intake, demographics, mental health diversion/treatment programs for Benton, Franklin, Clark, King, Pierce and Spokane Counties in Washington.
Publication cover Louisiana System Snapshot
Dec 10, 2006, National Center for Juvenile Justice
Provides information on the juvenile justice system in Louisiana including key agencies, demographics, framework, statistics, etc.
Publication cover Washington: System Snapshot
Dec 10, 2006, National Center for Juvenile Justice
Provides information on the juvenile justice system in the state of Washington including key agencies, demographics, framework, statistics, etc.
Publication cover Louisiana Models for Change Initiative: Selected Parish/Judicial District Highlights
Oct 1, 2006, National Center for Juvenile Justice, Gregg Halemba, Gene Siegel
Provides statistics on intake, demographics, mental health diversion/treatment programs for Caddom Calcasieu, Jefferson, Rapides Parish, and 16th Judicial District parishes in Louisiana.
Publication cover Washington Models for Change Initiative Background Summary
Sep 30, 2006, National Center for Juvenile Justice, Gene Siegel, Gregory Halemba, Charles Puzzanchera, Ben Adams
Contains a broad spectrum of historical and more recent information regarding Washington State's juvenile justice system as well as a wide range of statistics to support the strategic planning…
Publication cover 2006 Overview of Models for Change: Systems Reform in Juvenile Justice
Jun 30, 2006, Models for Change
This 2006 edition of the Models for Change overview provides the background and framework (principles) of the Models for Change initiative. Strategies for grantmaking and success are also described…
Publication cover Models for Change FAQ
Jun 30, 2006, Models for Change
Answers frequently asked questions about the Models for Change initiative including selection of states, initiative structure and measuring progress.
Publication cover Models for Change Selected Grants List
Jun 30, 2006, Models for Change
Partial list of national organizations and state departments who have received Models for Change grants as of July 2006.
Publication cover Louisiana Models for Change Initiative Background Summary
Mar 22, 2006, National Center for Juvenile Justice, Gregg Halemba, Gene Siegel, Charles Puzzanchera, Patrick Griffin
Contains a broad spectrum of historical and more recent information regarding Louisiana's juvenile justice system as well as a wide range of statistics to support the strategic planning required at…
Publication cover Building Momentum for Juvenile Justice Reform
Jan 5, 2006, Justice Policy Institute
Tells the story of how the four Models for Change states—Pennsylvania, Illinois, Louisiana, and Washington—are already moving to reform and reshape their own state juvenile justice…
Publication cover Thinking About Pennsylvania's Vital Signs
May 24, 2005, National Center for Juvenile Justice, Patrick Griffin
The Models For Change initiative supports efforts to assemble, merge and reconfigure data to build a set of standard measures or "vital signs" that could serve as broad indicators of overall system…
Publication cover Models for Change Framework
Sep 30, 2003, Models for Change
Identifies and describes eight core principles essential to a model juvenile justice system: fundamental fairness, recognition of juvenile-adult differences, recognition of individual differences,…
Supported by

Models for Change was a juvenile justice systems reform initiative supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, website operated by Justice Policy Institute.

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