Center for Coordinated Assistance to States
Assessing the need for, and coordinating the delivery of, high quality, research-driven training and technical assistance to improve juvenile justice policy and practice.
Prior to this program, I had no knowledge of juvenile justice or compliance monitoring. I was essentially directed to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. While I was able to glean a lot of information from studying the JJRA, these sessions really helped provide a clearer picture to the work we are doing on behalf of the juveniles in our state.
- CCAS certificate program participant
For the last seven years, AIR, under the leadership and guidance of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), has operated the Center for Coordinated Assistance to States (CCAS). CCAS provides targeted and tailored training and technical assistance to states, tribes, territories, and communities to improve youth serving systems. CCAS seeks to translate research into practice focusing on evidence-based approaches designed to improve outcomes for youth at risk of or currently involved in the juvenile justice system and/or child welfare systems.
The overarching goal of CCAS is to support states, territories, tribes, and communities in developing a continuum of juvenile justice services, enhancing systems, and ensuring outcome-driven implementation of OJJDP’s Title II Formula Grants Program. AIR, with the support of our partners, strives to reach this goal by supporting OJJDP’s State Relations and Assistance Division (SRAD), Designated State Agency (DSA) professionals in their work within the states and territories, and State Advisory Group (SAG) members through the delivery of timely and responsive training and technical assistance.
Our partners include the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators, and the National Partnership for Juvenile Services.
CCAS Team Strategies
The CCAS team employs several agile and innovative strategies to meet the Center’s objects:
- CCAS Community of Practice: An information hub welcoming all stakeholders who are interested in developing a continuum of juvenile justice services.
- SRAD Monthly State Calls: An opportunity for two-way communication between OJJDP and states and territories to share current information, ask questions, and connect with peers.
- DSA Staff Certificate Programs: The certificate programs are designed to (1) provide professional development for new DSA personnel and SAG members; (2) orient new DSA personnel and SAG members to the roles and responsibilities of their positions; (3) facilitate peer-to-peer support by engaging seasoned DSA personnel and SAG members, and (4) establish a cohort of training participants that can provide ongoing support to one another during and after completion of the program as well as to future training participants.
- Tools and Resources to Aid States, Territories, and Governments with JJRA Implementation: CCAS develops materials that are evidence-based and address the current needs of the field.
- Individualized Training and Technical Assistance to States and Territories: CCAS delivers a customized training and technical assistance experience by identifying needs, sharing resources, and maximizing system improvement efforts to meet goals.
- National Training Conferences: CCAS hosts an annual conference that provides critical training to DSA staff as well as hosts trainings and workshops where states and territories can share their questions, strategies, and lessons learned on several topics related to the JJRA and the Title II Formula Grant program.
- Professional Development Opportunities for State and Local Juvenile Justice System Stakeholders: Each year, CCAS’s partner, CJJA, facilitates a seminar for new directors of youth corrections agencies, a training for deputy directors to build their capacity, and webinars focused on salient topics for juvenile justice staff.
- Rural Chats: CCAS’s partner, CJJR hosts rural chats to address topics like access to counsel and services, addressing trauma, commercial sexual exploitation of children and girls, supporting LGBTQ+ youth and more.
