To provide general operating support for this organization, which promotes youth justice reform in Connecticut through advocacy, research and communication. CTJA’s priorities include oversight of the laws that returned 16 and 17 year olds to the juvenile justice system and monitoring of services to this population; removal of young people from the adult criminal system; closure of the state’s youth prison; promotion of school discipline policy reform to limit school arrests, out-of-school suspensions and expulsions; reduction of racial disparity in the justice system and advocacy of improved children’s mental health screening and services. CTJA staff supports the work of local juvenile justice coalitions and are leaders in the National Juvenile Justice Network, an association of state-based advocacy groups.
