In this month’s newsletter you will learn more about our Youth Advisory Board (YAB). Swearing them in with an Oath of Office that they designed in the Fall of 2024, was one of the highlights of my career. Both as a judicial officer, and now as the director of OYCR, it has always been critical for me to know and understand the youth’s perspective and to incorporate the information learned from youth into decisions about how to move forward with healing and justice serving outcomes for both the youth, their families, those who have been harmed, and their communities. It takes all perspectives to build a more just and equitable society. We are thrilled that the YAB has been launched and that they are now actively part of implementing on the OYCR Mission and Vision.
Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.) Director
Office of Youth and Community Restoration California Health & Human Services Agency
Meet and Learn More About OYCR’s Youth Advisory Board
Young people impacted by the justice system are stepping into leadership through our new Youth Advisory Board (YAB). As of October 2024, this group of resilient youth and young adults has been working with community partners and local governments to drive meaningful reform. Built from a year-long discovery process, the YAB is amplifying youth voices, addressing systemic barriers, and shaping policies that foster care and success. One member shared, “It’s never too late to restart, to do better.”
We’re excited to introduce the YAB members to our community. Their bios are now available on our website, where you can get to know the individuals driving this important work. Learn more about their journeys, their passion for justice, and how they’re working to create lasting change.
You can also learn more about the YAB’s mission and impact in our latest blog and additional social media content this month Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and/or X. If interested in joining the YAB, please email YAB@chhs.ca.gov.
Prioritizing Mental Health Amidst Crises
The fires in Southern California continue to devastate lives and communities. The magnitude of these events and their long-term impact on our health and well-being cannot be overstated. Our heart goes out to each of you who have been personally impacted. Healing looks different for everyone and OYCR encourages those who need support to reach out to California’s free and confidential mental health resources.
Soluna - Free and confidential support for 13- to 25-year-olds including 1 on 1 chats with professional coaches, free-writing journals, de-stressing tools and more
CalHOPE - Peer counseling for stress, anxiety, depression or worry.
For those directly impacted by the fires, the Disaster Recovery Centers provide support on local, state and federal levels. The centers are open 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Altadena
Altadena Disaster Recovery Center 540 W. Woodbury Road Altadena, CA 91001
West Los Angeles
UCLA Research Park West 10850 West Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064
OYCR Joins Governor Newson in Honoring Black History Month
Governor Newson has proclaimed February Black History Month in California to "pay homage to the rich history and contributions of Black Americans who have shaped our state and nation in countless ways through centuries of struggle and triumph."
Yeah round OYCR, acknowledges that racism and inequity that have caused Black youth to be overrepresented in the youth justice system. OYCR is working to advance alternatives to incarceration that provide California’s Black youth with safety, healing, and opportunities in their communities — instead of punishment.
OYCR Director Katherine Lucero on KQED Forum
On February 11th, Director Lucero was a guest on KQED Forum where the topic was "Juvenile Incarceration Declined by 77%. Did Public Policy Do Something Right?" She was joined by James Forman Jr, David Muhammad and Laura Abrams. They talked about Juvenile Justice in California and took questions from callers.
News and Updates
Project Avary
Project Avary, offers free mentoring, weekend adventure retreats and summer camp for youth (ages 8-18) who have been impacted by the incarceration or immigration detainment of a family member. Project Avary creates a safe space for youth to connect with others, while participating in fun activities, such as surfing, horseback riding, online mentoring groups and more. Their programs also incorporate a leadership training model. Participants have the opportunity to develop professionally in the program and even become paid leaders themselves. All programs are zero cost to the participants/families.
System and Community Stakeholders Come Together for the Los Angeles County Less Restrictive Program (LRP) Meeting
In January, LA Room and Board hosted the monthly Less Restrictive Program (LRP) Meeting for Los Angeles County where several community-based organizations that provide housing support for justice-involved youth came together to discuss strategies to better serve youth and other opportunities in the LRP space. The January meeting was notably attended by a number of system-players including LA Probation Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) Leadership and the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR). Participants in the meeting came to an agreement that a subcommittee needs to be established to help create better outcomes to better support youth needs as they step down into an LRP and build better processes to ensure youth are aware of available supports when they are eligible to be stepped down. This marks an important first step in addressing barriers for youth to participate in an LRP appropriate to their needs and developing strong partnership for all stakeholders in the space.
Partner Highlight
Local Data for Equitable Communities: Request for Proposals
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute are teaming up to launch a new program that offers up to $50,000 in funding to 30 community-based organizations. These projects will use data to address pressing local needs—from housing to transportation to environmental pollution—making strides toward building healthier communities.
Please note that applications are due March 18, 2025 at Noon Pacific.
Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board
They provide vocational opportunities for youth and adults with lived experience, allowing them to gain work experience and explore various industries of interest. Their employment programs include Valley Build, which serves the area from San Joaquin to Kern County, and the Forestry Corps, which operates in Fresno, Sonora, and Mariposa. Additionally, Workforce Connection has partnerships with the College of the Sequoias and Kern Community College. They also offer an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program located in Fresno.
Los Angeles County is home to a diverse array of organizations trailblazing the way for the development of less restrictive programs aimed at the diversion of youth from more carceral systems. One such program is Los Angeles Room and Board (LARB), a non-profit community-based organization (CBO) aimed at supporting transition aged youth as they pursue their post-secondary educational goals.
LARNB is more than just housing, their program offers robust services that not only seeks to address basic needs but also provides comprehensive wraparound services individualized to each youth participating in the program through a co-developed personalized development plan (PDP).
LARNB has been a lifeline for countless youth who need a stable environment to rebuild their lives. Its innovative approach not only uplifts individuals but also strengthens the broader community by creating opportunities for meaningful engagement and reducing systemic barriers.
Please check out their website at www.Larnb.org to learn more.
Upcoming Webinars, Meetings & Events
Youth Justice Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 5th from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM PST
The next meeting of the CWC Youth Justice Committee (YJC) will take place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. This meeting will be held in-person at OYCR’s headquarters (925 L St, Sacramento, CA 95814) as well as virtually. ZoomGov information, agenda and additional materials will be posted on the CWC YJC webpage. We look forward to your participation.
State Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Meeting
Wednesday, March 12th from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM PDT
The next meeting of the State Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will take place on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. This meeting will be held in-person at the Clifford L. Allenby Building (Sacramento Room 1215 O Street, 11th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814) as well as virtually. ZoomGov information, agenda and additional materials will be available on the SACJJDP webpage. We look forward to your participation.
OYCR Youth Justice Action Webinar Series
Tuesday, March 18th from Noon to 2 PM PST
Save the date and register in advance. Join us for the next webinar in the Youth Justice Action Webinar Series.
OYCR office hours for 2025 Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG) plan submissions
JJRBG plan submissions are due on May 1st, 2025. To ensure counties have the opportunity to ask questions, OYCR is hosting office hours during the following dates and times: • February 20 (Thursday): 10:00-11:00AM PST • March 12 (Wednesday): 1:00-3:00PM PDT • March 27 (Thursday): 11:00-12:00AM PDT For any questions about office hours, please reach out to OYCRCounties@chhs.ca.gov.
CYBHI Quarterly Public Webinar
Tuesday, March 13th from 3 PM to 5 PM PDT
Please join us for an update on the progress the CYBHI and its workstreams are making to transform how California meets the behavioral health needs of our children, youth, and families.
Raising the Future is a free transformative community event in Riverside County aimed at connecting young people with resources and creative pro-social activities, that inspire growth, resilience, and purpose. The event includes keynote speakers, opportunities to connect with community resources, and impactful workshops for both youth and adults that cover a variety of topics including finding your voice, parenting in the modern era, and developing the leader within you.
Raising the Future will take place on Saturday, March 22nd from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Riverside Community College (RCC).
The January Youth Justice Action webinar covered key 2024 legislation and appellate cases shaping juvenile justice. Participants gained insights into the latest legal updates and their impact on policies and practices.
Youth Justice Action Webinar: Creating Career Opportunity Pathways
The February Youth Justice Action webinar explored the spectrum of Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) services available to justice-involved youth with disabilities, from pre-employment transition services to meaningful employment. Topics covered included the DOR application process, eligibility, vocational planning, and the critical connections between DOR and County Probation offices.
