WHAT IS JDAI?
The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) is a national initiative through the Annie E. Casey Foundation that works to safely reduce the number of youths inappropriately housed in detention. The work of JDAI allows for youth to return to their community without compromising public safety. This promotes positive youth development and the strengthening of parental support, often leading to cost savings. JDAI is designed to provide a path for youth to become productive adults. After decades of innovation and replication, JDAI is designed to provide a path for influential and widespread juvenile justice system reform initiatives.
The local effort is led by the Honorable Vernon C.R. Daniels and Thomas H. Warren Sr. and relies on the expertise and support from judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, supervision personnel, law enforcement, policymakers, researchers, educators, community members, and other dedicated to improving the lives of young people and strengthening our community.
JDAI is not a program, but rather a continual process. JDAI provides for a collaboration of stakeholders as well as impacted communities. Douglas County continues to be a strong supporter of the initiative. The Douglas County JDAI Collaborative, Co-chairs, and sub-committee groups are committed to continuing to work to effectively reduce the number of youths inappropriately housed at DCYC. Working together building a system that is just, developmentally appropriate, and one that holds the youth and the system accountable while being inclusive.
Nate Balis, Director of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Justice Strategy Group, explained “What is JDAI” at the JDAI Inter-Site Conference on October 17, 2019, in Seattle:
“I think about it this way: We are a network committed to ensuring that every child, every day experiences a youth justice system that is:
- Just, in the sense that it is committed to racial and ethnic equity and to fairness for girls and LGBTQ youth.
- Developmentally appropriate, in the sense that the system seeks to do the following:
- divert as many youths as possible away from the justice system;
- transform probation;
- minimize confinement; and
- where young people are confined, ensure that facilities are safe, signifying, and well-designed to help young people to grow and mature
- Accountable, in the sense that from police to courts to probation to corrections agencies, we grown-ups are accountable to the young people, families, and communities we serve. We’re accountable for following best practices and achieving positive outcomes. And accountable for advancing equity, even when the root causes driving disparities to feel out of our control.
- Inclusive, in the sense that:
- system professionals recognize the strengths and critical importance of families and make them full partners in handling their children’s cases;
- work closely with community partners to connect youth with a rich array of positive youth development opportunities; and
- ensure that these family and community partnerships are robust for the youth of all races and ethnicities.
The link to the full speech by Nate Balis can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3339Xx9kg
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
Through the work of stakeholders in Douglas County and with the assistance of the JDAI Collaborative, the average daily population of the Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC) in 2020 was 73, compared to 129 in 2010. JDAI work in Douglas County has also resulted in a reduction of youth detained for technical violations. In 2010, technical violations accounted for 61 percent of the population. In 2020, that number dropped to 39 percent. Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities (RED) in the juvenile system remains a work in progress. As the overall population of youth at DCYC has significantly decreased, the number of youths of color being detained has continued to rise. This is a nationwide trend. JDAI in Douglas County will continue to work on reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system by increasing intentionality and targeted intervention.
Click here to see the JDAI Resolution adopted by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners.
DOUGLAS COUNTY JDAI CO-CHAIRS
The Honorable Vernon C.R. Daniels – Separate Juvenile Court
Thomas Warren Sr. – Chief of Staff, Mayor Jean Stothert, City of Omaha
Click Here to see the JDAI Sub-Committees
CONTACT US
Shelly Salter, MPA
JDAI Coordinator, State Probation
402.444.7835