PROMOTING YOUTH JUSTICE

Why This Issue Matters

Advocating for youth justice in Westchester County and New York State is essential for ensuring fair treatment and rehabilitation of young people involved in the criminal justice system. Ensuring equitable treatment is vital to safeguard their future opportunities for education, employment and housing. By investing in preventative measures and alternatives to punitive practices, we can hold youth accountable while providing them with opportunities to engage positively with their communities. Committed to equity, we focus on delivering the support they need during this critical stage of development, helping them thrive and avoid lifelong barriers.  

WCA's Current Efforts

To strengthen our commitment to youth justice, WCA actively collaborates with a diverse array of coalitions, amplifying our impact and driving meaningful change.

  • Raise the Age: Seeks to protect the gains of New York’s Raise the Age bill while advocating for the Youth Justice Innovation Fund, which would allocate funding from Raise the Age appropriations to community-based organizations for prevention, intervention, and alternatives to detention, placement and incarceration.  https://raisetheageny.org
  • Solutions Not Suspensions: Champions the Solution Not Suspensions Bill, promoting restorative practices and alternatives to suspensions to support students and address underlying issues. https://www.solutionsnotsuspensionsny.org/
  • Youth Justice & Opportunity: Aims to advance the Youth Justice & Opportunity Act by expanding Youthful Offender (YO) eligibility to include “Young Adult” (YA) offenders ages 19-25, allowing automatic sealing of certain past convictions, and promoting community- based alternatives to reduce the long-term impact of criminal convictions.
to send a message to your representatives calling for passage of four critical pieces of legislation this year.

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  • Child & Youth Homelessness
  • Home Visiting / Early Childhood Development
  • Youth Justice / Raise the Age
  • Youth Development