National Center for Youth in Custody

In 2010 the National Partnership for Juvenile Services (NPJS) received a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to create and operate the National Center for Youth in Custody (NC4YC).  This award was in response to a field-generated call for assistance and support to improve and reform juvenile detention and corrections services. 

The OJJDP NC4YC is co-directed by NPJS and the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators (CJCA).  Carol Cramer Brooks from NPJS is the Center Coordinator.  Under the direction of OJJDP grant monitor Ms. Elissa Rumsey and a multi-disciplinary work group, NC4YC is poised to build on the foundation created by the previously funded NPJS Center for Research and Professional Development (CRPD) operated by Dr. David Roush at Michigan State University.

The mission of NC4YC is to advance the field of juvenile justice by providing training and technical assistance and dissemination of effective practices and approaches for state, county, local, tribal and private residential programs for delinquent and at-risk youths.   The partner organizations of NC4YC identified three priority service areas to help achieve this mission.  First, to assist those involved in youth custody with the improvement of the organizational culture, particularly the conditions of confinement and custody.  Second, to support and enhance involvement and participation in the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).  And, thirdly, to understand, strengthen and promote family and community engagement in all aspects of youth custody.

NC4YC conducted its inaugural event at the 2011 OJJDP National Children’s Justice and Safety Conference.  For additional information on NC4YC and on how to access training and technical assistance services through NC4YC please visit the NC4YC website at www.nationalcenterforyouthincustody.org or call 734.604.NCYC (6292).