Juvenile Justice

Involvement with the criminal justice system puts youth’s futures at risk, with adverse impacts on young people’s mental and physical well-being, education, and employment opportunities. Federal government can help young people before and after their first brush with the law to avoid deepening involvement with the justice system. First Focus advocates for investments in meeting the health, education, employment opportunity, and other needs essential to turning young people’s lives around.
Resources
Joint Letters: Support the bipartisan Strengthening Tribal Families Act of 2022 (H.R. 8954)
| December 16, 2022 |
A coalition of organizations dedicated to holding our country’s child welfare system accountable sent the following letters to leaders of the Senate Finance Committee …
The Promises We Must Make to Our Children: Recommendations to the Biden-Harris Transition Team
| January 4, 2021 |
The kids are not alright. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, we were failing our kids on a whole range of domestic …
Key Stats on the Effect of COVID-19 on Kids
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Kathy Sacco, Michelle Dallafior, Miriam Abaya, Olivia Gomez | October 12, 2020 |
Updated on October 12, 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic is doing more than exposing the racial, ethnic, and economic disparities existing in our society; it …
Congress Must Act Quickly to Pass Additional Relief for Struggling Children and Families
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez | August 10, 2020 |
Given recent spikes in COVID-19 caseloads, an economic crisis that continues to deepen, and an upcoming school year faced with daunting challenges, it is …
Letter: We must ensure that this historic public health pandemic does not threaten our children’s future
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Averi Pakulis, Bruce Lesley, Cara Baldari, Carrie Fitzgerald, Christopher Towner, Conor Sasner, Michelle Dallafior, Olivia Gomez | August 10, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children sent the following letter to Congressional leaders in both houses with a set of recommendations to address the needs …
How to protect justice-involved youth in the wake of COVID-19
Aubrey Edwards-Luce, Bruce Lesley | May 4, 2020 |
Every facet of the lives of children and families are being disrupted during this historic public health and economic crisis. Unfortunately, both their short-term …
Letter: Correct the Inequities in COVID-19 Response
Bruce Lesley | April 20, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children sent the following letter to Congressional leaders in both houses with a set of recommendations to address the needs …
Kids & COVID-19: Resource Hub
First Focus Campaign for Children | April 16, 2020 |
The impact on children from COVID-19 is immense. It is also variable and complicated. Every facet of the lives of children and families are …
Letter: Prioritize the well-being of children as you respond to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Bruce Lesley | March 20, 2020 |
First Focus Campaign for Children sent the following letter to Congressional leaders in both houses, urging them to prioritize the well-being of children in …
Statement: Congress’s coronavirus response is a good first step, but bigger, bolder measures are needed
Michele Kayal | March 18, 2020 |
We applaud Congress for passing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, providing families and children with increased food and nutrition assistance, supplemental state funding …