Chaired by Judge Maureen McKnight

The Juvenile Justice Council (JJC) began its work in Multnomah County 16 years ago as the Detention Reform Steering Committee, which guided the development of the County’s nationally-recognized “Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative” (JDAI). JDAI was designed to control the rate of juvenile detention, eliminate disproportionate detention of youth of color and place eligible youth in evidence-based programs in the community under correctional supervision.

JJC, which consists of representatives from local police agencies, schools, the Board of County Commissioners, the judiciary, juvenile defense attorneys, Department of Community Justice (DCJ)’s Juvenile Services Division, the District Attorney’s Office, the Oregon Youth Authority and youth service providers, continues to monitor and adjust the county’s detention policies to ensure that the original objectives of JDAI continue to be met. JJC is also committed to ensuring community support for its detention policies and practices.

JJC's mission statement confirms that its activities and concerns extend far beyond detention reform in its efforts to make the community safer and hold youth accountable:

The mission of the Juvenile Justice Council is to provide a forum for the development and implementation of policies, procedures and practices to improve the juvenile justice system. The Council engages [its members] and other system stakeholders within Multnomah County to improve the juvenile justice system by promoting public safety, responding to the needs of victims and assuring the equitable and effective delivery of services to youth and their families.

For juvenile crime trend data, outcomes and reports, please visit: http://web.multco.us/dcj/juvenile-reports

Projects & Accomplishments

In addition to monitoring and refining policies and practices governing juvenile detention and community placement and supervision, JJC undertook the following tasks in 2011:

• Examined the Disproportionate Minority Contact Report
• Reviewed the Department of Community Justice Strategic Plan
• Discussed Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth Placement Options
• Received an update on the New Gun Zone Policy
• Reviewed 2010 Criminal Trend & Recidivism Statistics
• Received update on the Juvenile Crime Trends Report
• Received update from Multco Office of Diversity & Equity Key Initiatives Affecting Juveniles Justice Council & the Juvenile Justice System
• Learned about the Rapid Response Committee
• Learned about Project Clean Slate for Juveniles
• Discussed Cross-Over Youth issues
• Learned about the Striving to Reduce Youth Violence Everywhere (STRYVE) Grant
• Reviewed Youth with Firearms Policy
• Received a Model Delinquency Court Update
• Received ongoing budget and legislative updates throughout the year from system stakeholders