The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), originally created in 1974 and most recently reauthorized in 2002 with bipartisan support, provides direct funding, research, training, technical assistance and evaluation to those states which comply with the core requirements:

• Deinstitutionalization of status offenders
• Removal of youth from adult jails
• "Sight and sound" separation between youth and adult detainees
• Reduced disproportionate minority contact

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is charged with supporting and overseeing compliance among the states. State Advisory Groups (SAGs) collaborate with the federal agency as they guide the development, implementation and funding of the State Plans. Four main funding streams support the state-federal partnerships under the JJDPA, all of which have decreased significantly since 2002.

As Congress considers reauthorization of the JJDPA in 2008, testimony from health professionals will be key in highlighting the needs of youth through a medical and scientific lens.

At the Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s Summit on the Reauthorization of JJDPA in June 2007, Dr. Alan Ravitz explained how emerging research on adolescent brain development must be considered in the reauthorization of the JJDPA. Studies reveal that adolescent brains are continuing to develop, particularly in the areas that regulate judgment and decision-making.

Michelle Ayesh, PHR’s Health and Justice for Youth Campaign Coordinator, discussed the implications of brain development in the decision of the US Supreme Court to abolish the death penalty for youth under age 18 (Roper v. Simmons, 2005.) Given the biological and psychosocial differences between adolescents and adults, it is imperative that the JJDPA extend its federal protections to all youth under age 18, regardless of whether they are in the juvenile or adult system.

The Act 4 Juvenile Justice Campaign provides relevant and up-to-date information as Congress considers the reauthorization and reform of the JJDPA. To read their Statement of Principles, visit www.act4jj.org.