Law-Related Education Projects: National Youth for Justice Program Overview | Youth for Justice and Violence Prevention National Participants | State Participants Youth for Justice website National Participants American Bar Association Center for Civic Education Constitutional Rights Foundation Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago Phi Alpha Delta Street Law Back to Top Overview Youth for Justice is a unique national initiative that uses the power of active learning about the law to build upon the vitality of young people and to address the risks of being young in America today. Over one million students participate in Youth for Justice programs annually. With support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) of the United States Department of Justice, Youth for Justice’s five national organizations and state programs offer an array of law-related education (LRE) programs and activities for young people in their schools and communities. LRE helps young people avoid delinquent behavior and develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of effective citizens. LRE enlivens social studies, language arts, and science courses through interactive instructional strategies. LRE enriches learning by providing opportunities for young people to participate in and take responsibility for their communities. LRE equips young people to confront challenging issues such as substance abuse, crime, and violence. Youth for Justice involves young people in LRE programs that address national problems particularly violence by and against youth. Youth for Justice’s five cooperating national LRE organizations: develop curricula and instructional materials support a national network of state and local leaders representing every state provide professional staff development for educators, lawyers, and juvenile justice professionals conduct programs for students, and prepare community volunteers as co-instructors and co-leaders in classrooms and community activities for youth. Youth for Justice builds partnerships. It works closely with legal, educational, governmental, and community groups to initiate and strengthen LRE programs. Its network of national, state, and local programs has made LRE a permanent part of school programs throughout our nation. Back to Top Youth for Justice and Violence Prevention Youth for Justice has become increasingly involved in the national response to violence by and against youth. In 1993 Youth for Justice sponsored the National Video Town Meeting on Violence. Using video and telecommunication technology, young people across the nation explored issues of violence in their communities and made recommendations to Attorney General Janet Reno, members of Congress, and educational policy leaders. The American Bar Association Division for Public Education sponsors, on a biennial basis, the National Law-Related Education Leadership Conference. Designed for national, state, and local LRE leaders, bar associations, education organizations, and other educational and service groups working with youth, the conference provides a showcase for exemplary programs and practices from around the country and the opportunity to build new and stronger networks. Through the voices of prominent educators, lawyers, and political and civic leaders, the conference also offers attendees the opportunity to participate in an informed and engaging discussion of topical legal issues that connect LRE with the broader social studies curriculum, with school reform, and with juvenile justice issues and settings. Youth for Justice continues to explore ways in which LRE addresses violence by and against youth in its partnerships for safe, disciplined, and drug-free schools. Youth for Justice offers: Professional Staff Development and Technical Assistance National Youth for Justice organizations assist state LRE leaders in providing teachers and administrators with staff development and training in implementing programs to serve youth at highest risk. Youth for Justice sponsors conferences to explore new directions for LRE. Youth Summits Youth for Justice assists state leaders in organizing and implementing youth summits that bring together diverse groups of young people to explore state and local issues related to youth, such as violence and violence prevention programs. Juvenile Justice Youth for Justice develops programs for juvenile justice detention and other settings around the country. Building on the success of its juvenile justice initiative in 1990, Youth for Justice is working with a series of pilot sites across the country to develop model programs. Research and Development: Seeking new ways to strengthen the citizenship skills of at-risk children, Youth for Justice implements pilot curricular programs, provides training and dissemination of them, and evaluates their effectiveness. Street Law Inc.'s Teen Parents and the Law program provides lessons focused on legal topics such as child support, paternity, custody, and housing, to help young parents improve their family life. The Constitutional Right Foundation Chicago's Violence Prevention Outcomes in Civic Education (VOICE) program provides 4th/5th grade level lessons in mediation, law-related education, and service learning to enhance learining about U.S. history and government and improve student attitudes and behavior. The Center for Civic Education and the Constitutional Rights Foundation's Bell Gardens Research Project provides 4th/5th grade level lessons using law-related/civic education and service learning to enhance learning about U.S. and world history. Phi Alpha Delta Public Service Center's Law for Pregnant and Parenting Teens program provides practical law lessons important to this special at-risk group. Public Information Youth for Justice informs educators, national and state leaders, and the public about current practices and programs in LRE and citizenship education. Youth for Justice disseminates information through newsletters, presentations, websites, and a national network of state centers. For more information about the state and national Youth for Justice projects, click here. LRE Projects Home | State LRE Projects Home | State Project Profiles Common Programs & Products | Project Survey Summary National LRE Projects Home | Contact Information | Youth for Justice Program