Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Holds Kick-Off Meetings

This fall, seven counties will join the 12 current Indiana Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) counties thanks to a partnership of all three branches of government. Kick-off meetings are set for the following counties on the dates listed:

Allen: Wednesday, October 1
LaPorte: Friday, October 17
Bartholomew: Monday, November 3
Boone: Wednesday, November 5
Monroe: Wednesday, November 12
St. Joseph: Wednesday, November 19
 LaGrange: Wednesday, December 10

JDAI is a national juvenile justice reform initiative developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation 20 years ago. It aims to improve outcomes for children in the justice system while ensuring public safety. Sometimes children in trouble need secure detention, but other times there are alternatives.

JDAI began in Indiana in 2006 in Marion County with the goal of placing the right children in the right place for the right reasons and the right amount of time. Over the next few years Johnson, Porter, Lake, Tippecanoe, Elkhart, Howard and Clark Counties joined the initiative. After those eight counties, JDAI expanded with eleven new sites. Delaware, Wayne, Madison and Henry had June kick-off meetings. The counties listed above will hold kick-off meetings this fall.

Upon completion of the expansion, as many as 56% of Indiana’s youth ages 10-17 will live in a JDAI county.

Within Indiana, JDAI is overseen by an executive team, four organizations that have a vested interest in the juvenile justice system: the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI), the Indiana Supreme Court, the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC), and the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS). For more information about JDAI visit http://courts.in.gov/center/2823.htm