In April 2007, the Office of Juvenile Justice was selected as a site for the Models for Change initiatives. Models for Change is a national initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to accelerate reform of juvenile justice systems across the country. Focused on efforts in select states, the initiative aims to create replicate models for reform that effectively hold young people accountable for their actions, provide for their rehabilitation, protect them from harm, increase their life chances, and manage the risk they pose to themselves and to public safety.

Building on the work of the Calcasieu Parish Children and Youth Planning Board, Calcasieu Parish was recently awarded a Louisiana Models for Change grant for the development of a Community Assessment and Resource Center that can be replicated and modeled in other jurisdictions. Among other things, the center will fill the gaps in services; improve communication among agencies and leverage resources to improve mental health and substance abuse services. 

For more information please contact us or visit the Models for Change website.