Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

About the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)

The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, has demonstrated that jurisdictions can safely reduce the use of secure confinement without impacting public safety. JDAI is based on eight core strategies that address the reasons why youth are unnecessarily detained. The eight core strategies are:

  • Alternatives to detention
  • Case processing
  • Collaboration
  • Conditions of confinement
  • Data driven decisions
  • Objective admissions
  • Reducing racial disparity
  • Special detention cases

JDAI helps restructure policy and practice to create system improvements.

JDAI Mission

To provide individualized supervision, care, and treatment in a manner consistent with public safety to those youth under age 18 at the time of referral who violate the law. Further, the Juvenile Justice System shall recognize and encourage prevention efforts through the support of programs and services designed to meet the needs of those youth who are identified as being at-risk or violating the law and those whose behavior is such that they endanger themselves or others.

JDAI in Lancaster County

In 2017, Lancaster County officially signed on as a Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) site. As a result, the Juvenile Justice Review Committee was renamed to what we now call the JDAI Collaborative. This is a large group of juvenile justice related community stakeholders that oversee juvenile justice efforts and funding opportunities in Lancaster County.

For further information, please contact Sara Hoyle at 402-441-4944.

  1. RED
  2. Prevention
  3. Family Engagement
  4. Gang Prevention
  5. Crisis Response

Reducing Racial & Ethnic Disparities Committee

The Lancaster County Youth Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) Committee is dedicated to ensuring equitable treatment of system-involved youth and strives to reduce the disproportionate number of minority youth in the juvenile justice system. This is done through:

  • Community collaborations and support
  • Data-driven approach
  • Identifying and reducing gaps in prevention and intervention services
  • Technical assistance and education

Meetings: 1st Friday of the month from 12:00 to 1:00

We welcome anyone who works with youth to attend and learn about the juvenile population currently in the system.