Juvenile Justice Training

Need

• Juvenile offenders have special characteristics and needs that warrant special training. Some suffer from mental health or educational deficiencies. Others have alcohol or drug dependency problems. Many are victims of abuse or come from severely dysfunctional homes. Young offenders often fail to see the long-term consequences of their actions and its impact on society.
  
  

Detention Center Staff

• The Juvenile Justice Trainers Association (JJTA) works with government agencies to develop education and training materials for professionals working in the juvenile justice system. JJTA partners with other organizations to develop training for staff in juvenile detention and corrections facilities through the Center for Research and Professional Development. Partnering agencies include the National Association of Juvenile Correctional Agencies (NAJCA), The National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA) and the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. The Center for Research and Development is funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and is located at Michigan State University. The Center provides technical assistance, research and training courses for workers in juvenile correctional facilities.
  
  

Prosecutors

• Prosecutors who deal with juveniles in the court system need specialized education and training. Juveniles respond differently to questioning techniques than adults. Some juveniles are likely to have special needs or a background that requires special handling or knowledge. The National District Attorneys Association provides prosecutors with training in several categories that apply to juveniles, including child abuse and gangs. Training sessions are held at different times of the year.
  
  

The Public

• Juvenile justice education for the general public is used as a prevention and intervention tool. The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice offers online, downloadable training courses. Training programs currently available include Training Curriculum for Working with Girls Involved with the Juvenile Justice System; Understanding Adolescents: A Juvenile Court Training Curriculum; and GAINS Center Juvenile Cross Training Curriculum. Many of the courses are free.
  
  

Law Enforcement

• The National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) is funded by a grant from the OJJDP. The organization provides resources, training and technical assistance for law enforcement professionals working in the juvenile justice field. NTTAC is charged with conducting ongoing research and needs assessments to improve juvenile justice training and prevention.
  
  The agency serves as a resource for state juvenile justice agencies by providing technical assistance packages, "how to" guides, reference lists and resource materials. NTTAC identifies subject matter experts, events and providers for agencies needing training assistance in a particular field. The agency facilitates training by holding workshops and conferences around the nation.