State Advisory Bodies to Reduce R/ED

34 U.S.C. 11133(a)(15)(A) requires that, to be compliant with the Reducing R/ED core requirement, states and territories must establish or designate existing coordinating bodies, composed of juvenile justice stakeholders, (including representatives of the educational system) at the state, local, or Tribal levels, to advise efforts by states, units of local government, and Indian Tribes to reduce racial and ethnic disparities.

Many states and territories utilize their existing State Advisory Groups (SAG) and/or establish a SAG subcommittee to serve in this advisory role.  34 U.S.C. 11133(a)(3)(A)(iv) and (v) requires that the membership of a SAG must comprise of . . .at least one-fifth of which members shall be under the age of 28 at the time of initial appointment; and at least 3 members who have been or are currently under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system or, if not feasible and in appropriate circumstances, who is the parent or guardian of someone who has been or is currently under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system.

Please contact us if your state needs assistance in fulfilling these requirements.  

About the Youth and Family Council

The program hosts the Youth and Family Advisory Council, a dedicated, knowledgeable, and proactive group of youth and family lived experience leaders from across the country. Each of them are engaged in their own communities, working tirelessly on behalf of kids. Together, the Council will focus its efforts on supporting states, territories and the District of Columbia to comply with the JJDPA’s Core Requirement on R/ED.

The subject matter experts who constitute the Council will provide direct support to their respective SAGs. Activities may include:

• attending R/ED Committee or SAG meetings,

• reviewing state R/ED plans,

• delivering expert guidance to states working on JJDPA implementation, and

• interviewing DSA staff to identify strengths and opportunities in their jurisdiction’s R/ED efforts.

Efforts will support SAGs to meet the JJDPA’s requirement on youth and family involvement.

You can learn more about each Council Member here.