National Center for Youth in Custody

The National Center for Youth in Custody (NC4YC) was established in 2010 by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) to provide assistance, leadership, and support for improving conditions in youth and adult facilities that house youthful offenders. The primary mission of NC4YC is work with members of the justice community to implement effective practices and approaches that emphasize the rehabilitative goals of the juvenile justice system. The objectives of the center are to 1) deliver strategic, targeted, and measurable training and technical assistance directly to facilities that detain or confine youth; 2) identify, document, and promote effective, evidence-based approaches to working with youth in custody; 3) expand the knowledge base and research on juvenile justice and best practices in detaining and confining youth; and 4) create a resource community for juvenile justice practitioners, youth in custody, and families. NC4YC has three main service areas: helping those who work with youth in custody improve the conditions of custody and confinement for youth; supporting and enhancing participation with the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act; and working to strengthen family and community engagement in all aspects of youth custody. In addition, NC4YC provides the following products and services to members of the justice community: resource library, training, training curriculums, Webinars, professional development, and multilevel technical assistance. References