First Focus

Youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system are at serious risk of negative life outcomes and often in need of significant intervention. Given the profoundly negative impact of detention and incarceration on young people’s mental and physical well-being, education, and employment, efforts at every level must seek to prevent deepening involvement with the justice system and ensure that youth’s diverse needs are met.

Coordination and collaboration between related service delivery systems including health, education, and child welfare are critical to ensuring success for this vulnerable population. First Focus is working to increase federal investments in prevention and intervention efforts and identify and promote cross-sector policy solutions in an effort to work towards a brighter future for all of our nation’s children.