Assistance to Models for Change Initiative

In 2005, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation launched an exciting nationwide initiative called “Models for Change: System Reform in Juvenile Justice."  It purpose is to assist juvenile justice systems to reform their policies and practices in ways that make sense in light of the developmental status of adolescents and society’s interest in their growth and rehabilitation.

The “Models for Change” initiative began with a partnership between the MacArthur Foundation and four states (Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Washington) that agreed to develop a range of plans for reform and accept the Foundation’s assistance to meet those objectives.  Subsequently other states have joined in “networks” devoted to more specific objectives in three areas:  mental health and juvenile justice, racial fairness, and juvenile indigent defense.  Click here  for a description of the “Models for Change” initiative.

“Models for Change” provides assistance to participating states by using a consortium of organizations, called a “National Resource Bank."  These organizations work together to provide direct assistance to projects in Models for Change states aimed at helping them meet their reform objectives.  

NYSAP is one of the NRB consultative organizations in this “Models for Change” initiative.  In this context, NYSAP provides on-call assistance to the initiatives of the participating states when they need to select and implement screening and assessment tools to identify mental health problems or risk of re-arrest, and when they are seeking to improve policy and practice regarding juveniles' competence to stand trial.