who we are

The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice (NCMHJJ) was established in July 2001 to promote awareness of the mental health needs of youth in contact with the juvenile justice system, and to help the field develop improved policies and practices to respond to these youth based on the best available research and practice.  The NCMHJJ is located at Policy Research Associates, Inc. in Delmar, NY. 

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what we do

The NCMHJJ uses a three-prong approach to link research, policy and practice in an interconnected loop of activity intended to help the field better understand and respond to the complex needs of this population of youth.  We:

1. Provide a national focal point for the collection, development and dissemination of information and resources of youth with mental health disorders involved with the juvenile justice system;
   
   
2. Apply this information and various resources intensively in select jurisdictions to help guide and influence policy and practice and bring about improved services for these youth;
   
   
3. Use these experiences to inform and improve public policy ay the national, state and local levels.