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Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice (YCLJ) urges the federal government to restore essential funding for programs that support children and youth, strengthen families, and prevent violence in our communities.

These initiatives are not optional. They are vital lifelines for thousands of young people and families across the country. Every dollar invested in community-based support, violence prevention, mental health services, and family assistance yields immeasurable dividends in public safety, wellbeing, and opportunity.

Cuts to these programs do not save money—they merely shift costs elsewhere, often to emergency services, law enforcement, and the youth justice system. Worse still, they leave communities without the resources they need to address the root causes of violence and build safe, healthy environments where young people can thrive.

Policies, strategies and interventions that build on community-based strategies and developmental approaches have proven effective in reducing recidivism and improving public safety. Investments in communities to develop and implement innovative, community-driven responses produce far better results than incarceration.Thanks to these collective strategies, the number of youth behind bars in this country dropped by 75 percent between 2000 and 2020, going from 100,000 to fewer than 25,000. Cutting investments and support will undermine 20 years of progress and put children, young people, families, and communities at increased risk of harm. The elimination of funding for every form of social support for vulnerable communities will accelerate a movement back towards failed practices of the past.

We ask federal leaders to listen to the voices of community organizations, advocates, service providers, and families themselves who are highlighting the devastating impact of these cuts. Now is not the time to pull back—it is the time to invest boldly in prevention, healing, and hope.

As former and current leaders of youth correctional agencies, YCLJ members stand united in urging the federal government to restore this critical funding and recommit to a future where every young person and every family has the support they need to feel safe, valued, and empowered.

Signed,

Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice