June marks Pride Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, courage, and contributions of LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit (2S) (LGBTQ2S+) individuals, past and present. At the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR), we recognize that Pride is more than a celebration, it's a continued commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion, especially for LGBTQ2S+ youth who are navigating a system that too often overlooks or marginalizes them.
In our juvenile justice system LGBTQ2S+ youth are overrepresented, comprising an estimated 13–15% of youth in custody, despite making up only about 7–9% of the general youth population1. These young people, particularly those who are Black, Brown, transgender, or gender non-conforming, face heightened risks of discrimination, trauma, and isolation. At OYCR, we are committed to changing that reality. We are advancing trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices that affirm identity and promote healing, while working with partners across the state to reform systems so that all youth are treated with dignity and respect.
Pride Month reminds us of the power of collective action. It is rooted in the advocacy of those who fought and continue to fight for recognition, safety, and equality. That legacy and spirit drives our work at OYCR, where we center youth voices and invest in community-based solutions that uplift, rather than punish, our most vulnerable youth.
This Pride, we recommit to that vision. Our promise to advocate fiercely for LGBTQ2S+ rights, to build pathways of opportunity and restoration, and to ensure that every young person—no matter their identity, can grow up with hope, justice, and pride.
Office of Youth and Community Restoration California Health & Human Services Agency
“Please Don’t Give Up on Us: Stories From Children and Youth Incarcerated in California”
“Young adults and teenagers, they get punished for not being heard…Instead of trying to understand us on an emotional and psychological level…we get punished by them telling us ‘you’re a bad kid’.” — Alexis J.
“Please Don’t Give Up on Us: Stories From Children and Youth Incarcerated in California” explores youth justice through the perspectives of young people who are or have been incarcerated, and outlines insights and recommendations aimed at ensuring youth receive the support, stability, and understanding necessary to reach their full potential. By incorporating firsthand accounts, research, and system analysis, Don’t Give Up on Us showcases the transformative power of a healing-centered approach to youth justice. We invite you to explore the full report.
The report was commissioned by the California Health & Human Services Agency’s Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) and prepared by The Social Changery, with contributions by the OYCR Youth Advisory Board.
Voices of Youth Justice: A Q&A with Madera County Probation’s Assistant Chief Jose Pantoja
“I think it's important that, with this population, we really treat them with compassion and respect, balanced with accountability. That's been the culture we try to create in our facility from day one.”
We sat down with Assistant Chief Probation Officer Jose Pantoja to explore how OYCR’s partnership with Madera County Probation is helping secure track youth thrive. From college enrollment and full-time jobs to nature outings and new programming, this conversation highlights the power of collaboration, compassion, and innovation in supporting youth and young adults who are systems-involved.
Alameda County Addresses Chronic Absenteeism at its Roots, Dramatically Lowers Rates
Chronic absenteeism has long been a challenge in juvenile court schools––but Alameda County is changing that. With a trauma-informed, student-first approach and strong collaboration between probation and education partners, the country dropped its absenteeism rate from nearly 64% to just 6% in one year. This Voices of Youth Justice blog shares how centering student voice, motivation, and support is helping youth reengage with school––and their future.
The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) are proud to announce a three-year, $30 million joint partnership, the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI).
The program aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of innovative interventions and services to support youth with disabilities in the juvenile justice system. This groundbreaking project will focus on enabling young people who face qualifying barriers to succeed in their educational and career endeavors.
The Amity Foundation will design and identify these services, subcontracting to community providers in each participating county. Data from initial outcomes will be utilized throughout the demonstration to refine practices and validate approaches. The findings and proven methods will ultimately be shared across the county-based juvenile justice system to enhance support for youth statewide.
This project would not be possible without the amazing collaboration and partnership of Cesar Perez, Regional Director of Employment Services; Mavis Sarabia, Project manger; Otto Solorzano, Consultant.
Imperial County Site Visit: Special Thanks to Probation Chief Prince; Kevin Arellano, Division Manager; Maribel Carvajal “The Boss”, Probation Supervisor; Julio Coronel “Pops”, Probation Workforce Navigator. Much gratitude to Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP) and the leadership of Gabriel Aguirre, Program Coordinator and Vicente Ayala, Director of Business and Human Services.
Riverside County Site Visit: Special thanks to the California Family Life Center team and Mary Jo Ramirez, Executive Director Jemery May, Program Coordinator. Always appreciative of the support from Riverside DOR Angelina Walker, Manager and Danny Zuniga, DOR Liaison/Counselor.
Webinars, Meetings & Events
OYCR Youth Justice Action Webinar Series
The California Juvenile Justice Toolkit: A New Resource of Youth Programming
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | Noon-1:00 pm Pacific
This webinar will introduce participants to the California Juvenile Justice Toolkit, a new web-based repository that provides information on programming options for youth and the level of evidence behind those options. Presenters will explain its features, highlight opportunities for additional training and technical assistance, and share how to submit feedback.
Fueling Innovation and Centering Youth: Lessons from Kings County’s Juvenile Court School
May 20, 2025
In this session, Dr. Elizabeth Norris explained the journey of the juvenile court school in Kings County, where educators engaged youth in meaningful learning experiences by leveraging funding, partnerships, and creative programming to shift the narrative around system-involved youth. If you missed it, visit the OYCR website to view the recording.
