Center for Justice Innovation

Children and youth involved in the justice system as crime victims or witnesses face many challenges. To support them, the Center for Justice Innovation has worked with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Office for Victims of Crime to create interactive and educational materials that guide and support child victims and witnesses as they navigate the justice system. A series of illustrated booklets and graphic novels have been created for different age groups (ages 2 to 6, 7 to 12, and 13 to 18) in several languages for different environments: child welfare, criminal court, human trafficking cases, and Native communities, which feature illustrations and stories by Native artists and authors. The materials support children and young people who are crime victims or witnesses on: ✅ How the legal system works ✅ Their rights ✅ Roles of practitioners they might meet ✅ Coping mechanisms for feelings that might come up during the process Organizations can apply for printed materials up to $10,000 worth. The Center has subcontracted with a printing agency to print and ship the materials to selected applicants. Priority will be given to agencies that are either based in rural areas or Tribal lands, or who work directly with child victims and witnesses in rural or Native American communities, and who demonstrate a clear need for this printing opportunity. ➡️ Access the online application here: https://lnkd.in/eRbEQSAu If you have any questions, email the Center’s Child Witness Materials Project team on cwmp@innovatingjustice.org.

Shout out to our incredible teams across the city this week sharing holiday meals and joy with their communities. 🦃

Congratulations to our wonderful Brownsville Community Justice Center team for being honored last night at New York State Senator Jabari Brisport’s bi-annual State of the District ceremony in Brooklyn. 🎉

Follow us on Bluesky @https://lnkd.in/ggpYDGJE ⤵️ Join us as we work to build community justice together: https://lnkd.in/gnihHsAH

Investing in strong, healthy communities is crucial to achieving lasting safety. But who’s in charge of making those investments, and how do we make sure community members themselves play a role in decisions that impact them? Our Neighborhood Safety Initiatives program gives public housing residents across New York City a chance to do just that. Read all about the process here: https://lnkd.in/gWsK6M3v

“It’s not just me,” said one man who attended one of our RISE Project's recent barbershop talks, relieved that he wasn’t the only one struggling with complicated feelings and experiences. He touched on a message our RISE team takes with them everywhere they go as they work with survivors, people who have done harm, and communities impacted by violence: You’re not alone—and all of us are stronger together. #MensHealthMonth #MentalHealthMatters https://lnkd.in/gcfDNxmU

Green spaces are in short supply in historically marginalized neighborhoods, but investing in them makes for safer, healthier communities. 🌱 Learn all about our green space initiatives across New York today: https://lnkd.in/gCvmPHck

At the American Society of Criminology's 2024 annual meeting last week we showcased our latest findings, delved into our programs' successes, and discussed justice innovations across the nation. #ASCSanFran24 #ASCriminology2024

Communities deserve thoughtful, evidence-based responses to traffic violations. On this World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we honor all those affected by traffic violence, stand proudly with partners Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets, and affirm that building safe communities means fostering safer roads and streets. #WDoR2024

Almost three million people are serving sentences of probation in this country. You might think of probation as a minor punishment and an alternative to locking someone up. For many people, it is neither.   One standard condition of probation is drug testing. Almost everyone on probation is required to submit to regular drug tests which are often time-consuming, expensive, and, for some, traumatic. In this new episode of New Thinking, host Matt Watkins explores the experience of probation through the ordeal of the drug test with special guests Randall McNeil, a criminal justice policy analyst with Arnold Ventures who is currently serving a five-year probation sentence; Brian Lovins of Justice System Partners and past president of the American Probation and Parole Association; and Fiona Doherty, a public defender and a professor of law at Yale Law School. Thank you to Arnold Ventures for their support with this episode. 🎧 Listen here today: https://lnkd.in/esMqw4pC