Evaluation of San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families Justice Services

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Diverse group of teenagers gathering

Although youth incarceration rates have declined in the past 20 years, African-American and Latino young people still experience disproportionately high rates of detainment and incarceration. Justice system contact is disruptive and harmful to young people’s lives and overall well-being, contributing to challenges in school and in the workforce, and can increase the likelihood of rearrest and reincarceration. Justice system reforms aim to reduce system contact and provide access to individualized, strengths-based programming and remove underlying structural barriers which increase likelihood to encounter law enforcement contact.
 

Evaluation of DCYF's Justice Services Programming

San Francisco’s Department of Children, Youth and Their Families (DCYF) is committed to meeting the needs of the city’s youth and their families by providing inclusive, informed, and individualized care to the San Francisco community across many service areas.

AIR is evaluating DCYF’s Justice Services programming that provides services for youth impacted by the justice system and opportunity youth. DCYF coordinates across justice agencies in San Francisco to promote broad access to supportive services for youth and their families. By addressing root causes of youth involvement in the justice system, DCYF will reduce future justice system interaction and promote equity so young people can thrive in San Francisco.

Contact
Candace Hester
Principal Researcher
Maura Shramko
Researcher