OYCR is pleased to support Mental Health Awareness Month, Turn Awareness into Action, which highlights the need to address the high incidence of substance use disorders (SUD), and mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring disorders experienced by our youth involved in the youth justice system. Studies show that 70% of youth in the youth justice system, experience a mental health disorder.[i] OYCR is committed to meeting the mental health needs of our youth every month of the year and is proud to promote the work we do in partnership with our CalHHS partners through the California Behavioral Health Youth Initiative (CYBHI) including the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), the Department of Social Services (DSS), along with many other individuals and organizations throughout the state.
OYCR was founded with a division dedicated to the mental and behavioral health of children and youth impacted by the youth justice system. Our Health Policy team addresses mental and behavioral health through policy leadership, educational briefs and webinars, and provides training and technical assistance to our partners focusing on the social supports and treatment needs of those in the youth justice system. Our goal is to ensure that all youth successfully transition back into their communities after a youth justice intervention by insuring youth feel connected, healthy, and whole. With greater access to mental health care, and more resources for parents of children with these issues, we aim to reduce the number of youth who face a lifetime of additional issues after being placed in detention centers.[ii] Returning youth who are healthy, supported and connected back into their communities after a youth justice intervention has been shown to reduce recidivism and promote community healing which simultaneously promotes public safety.
[i]
Seiter, L. (2017). Mental health and juvenile justice: A review of prevalence, promising practices, and areas for improvement. Washington, DC: National Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Neglected or Delinquent Children and Youth
[ii]
Poteet, A. (2022). Can Improved Mental Health Care for Youth Reduce Juvenile Detention?, Coalition for Juvenile Justice
Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.) Director
Office of Youth and Community Restoration California Health & Human Services Agency
It Takes a Village: Director Lucero’s Reflections from OYCR’s Inaugural California Youth Justice Summit
“If our kids are incarcerated…they’re missing the village. I hope that we’re able to come together and be the village our young people need to heal, to thrive, and to have a good life full of love, healing, and abundance.” —Israel Villa, Co-Convener of the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice
In her firstblog post, OYCR’s Director Lucero reflects on the powerful energy and collective vision that emerged at our inaugural California Youth Justice Summit. Over two days, more than 400 partners from across the state came together to strengthen connections, elevate youth voices, and move toward a youth justice system rooted in care, community, and collaboration.
The post captures the relationships, ideas, and commitments that made the Summit a turning point—and highlights OYCR’s role in building and sustaining the village our young people deserve. Read the full piece here.
Voices of Youth Justice: Youth Development Academy Fire Program Offers Job Training and Life Skills
“Ever since I started, it gave me a sense of brotherhood and learning new life skills.” —Karlos C., Youth Development Academy Fire Program participant
The Youth Development Academy’s Fire Program in San Diego County is redefining what it means to support young people. A partnership between San Diego County Probation and San Diego County Fire, the program offers youth who are justice-involved the chance to build skills, earn certifications, and contribute to their communities—all while preparing for meaningful careers in fire service and public safety.
Read more about the program’s early success and how it’s helping young people reclaim their futures on the OYCR website.
News and Updates
CalHHS and OYCR visit Los Angeles County
CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson recently joined Office of Youth and Community Restoration Director Katherine Lucero in Los Angeles County to meet with local Juvenile Justice leaders including the Presiding Juvenile Justice Court Judge, public defenders, probation officers, the Department of Youth Development, the Probation Oversight Commission and community-based organizations as well as tour Less Restrictive Programs and transitional housing communities.
Expanded ARC/OYCR Family Engagement Services program connects youth and families
Beginning this year, the Anti-Recidivism Coalition has expanded their family engagement services with the support of OYCR. Now serving youth at both Pine Grove and Growlersburg Conservation Camps, ARC coordinates trips that allow family members across the state to visit and meaningfully connect with their youth at these camps.
February marked the first ARC OYCR Family Engagement Services excursion trip to Pine Grove. Thirteen families from four counties joined ARC at the ARC Nina Lane Ranch. One family from San Bernardino County, a youth’s mother and two teenage siblings, were shocked at the hospitality of the program. Having the opportunity to visit their youth for the first time in three years without the concern of cost or transportation, allowed the family to enjoy this trip.
In March, ARC hosted their first Family Engagement Services excursion trip to Growlersburg. Eleven families, ages 2 to 79, attended from seven counties. Families and ARC staff broke bread as families shared experiences. Some mentioned the difficulties of having to take care of their families while their loved one was away. One youth’s father commented that his son “needs this program because you care about him and us.”
The ARC team was able to provide coping and listening skills to both youth and families on these trips. Families expressed that their stay at the ranch had a meaningful impact on their well-being, offering them a much-needed escape from the city and a chance to experience peace, reflection, and connection in a healing environment.
California Joins National Initiative to Strengthen Youth Services
California has been selected to participate in the Collaborating for Youth and Public Safety Initiative (CYPSI) in partnership with The Council of State Governments Justice Center. Through this initiative, we will adopt statewide strategies to expand community-based services, reduce youth justice system involvement, and prevent violence. With no-cost training and expert support, we’re committed to building safer communities and better outcomes for youth and families. Stay tuned for updates on our progress! https://projects.csgjusticecenter.org/cypsi/
OYCR at Supporting Successful Reentry Conference
Manny Rios and Dr. Michael M. Massa recently presented at the Supporting Successful Reentry Conference.
Youth justice campuses must go beyond basic education to provide meaningful workforce development opportunities that set young people up for long-term success. Research shows that vocational training and college courses significantly reduce recidivism and improve post-release employment rates. Given that the brain is still developing and highly adaptable in the youth justice population, these programs can have an even greater impact on young offenders, breaking cycles of reoffending and fostering economic independence.
Beyond individual benefits, investing in workforce development training within youth justice settings yields significant social and economic returns. For every dollar spent on correctional education, four to five dollars are saved in incarceration costs within three years post-release. Vocational and college programs not only increase job prospects but also reduce reliance on social services and contribute to a stronger workforce.
Active OYCR Recruitment Efforts
OYCR is hiring a Division Chief, Health Policy in Sacramento County. This position provides leadership direction and policy implementation strategies to improve behavioral, mental, and physical health regarding youth in the juvenile justice system. The OYCR's Division Chief, Health Policy leads the unit with policy and systems change and directs a team of health program specialists, analysts, and/or support staff in the unit. The deadline to apply is Thursday, May 14. Apply now at Cal Careers: https://bit.ly/42Jy9JQ
OYCR is hiring a Regional Compliance Analyst in Kern County. This position promotes public safety by formulating policy to ensure the safe operation of state and local juvenile facilities and holding spaces; conducts inspections to evaluate compliance with policy; plans and completes complex research projects and special studies; and provides technical assistance to state and local juvenile justice and corrections agencies. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, May 27. Apply now at Cal Careers: https://bit.ly/4563xF5
Webinars, Meetings & Events
OYCR Youth Justice Action Webinar Series
Fueling Innovation and Centering Youth: Lessons from Kings County’s Juvenile Court School
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 1:00-2:00 pm Pacific
In this webinar, the Kings County Office of Education will present their approach to engaging youth with system involvement through innovative, student-centered programming. Speakers will discuss how they have leveraged funding and partnerships to support initiatives that elevate youth voice and interest-driven learning.
Please note: This month’s webinar will take place at a different time, from 1–2 p.m.
The California Juvenile Justice Toolkit: A New Resource of Youth Programming
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 12:00-1:00 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.
The next meeting of the CWC Youth Justice Committee (YJC) will take place on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. This meeting will be held in person 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
June 18, 2025 11:00 am-3:00 pm
The next meeting of the State Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. This meeting will be held in person at the Clifford L. Allenby Building (First Floor- California Room) as well as virtually. ZoomGov information, agenda and additional materials will be available on the SACJJDP webpage. We look forward to your participation.
California Juvenile Justice Toolkit
May 28 and June 9, 2025
Informational webinars are coming over the next few weeks on the California Juvenile Justice Toolkit, a valuable resource for probation departments, their partners, and the community! Made possible by the California Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) and Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health (CCJBH), the CA Juvenile Justice Toolkit is a compendium and implementation toolkit for evidence-based and emerging programs and practices to serve youth in the community.
La Cultura Cura Overview: Transformational Health and Healing April 15, 2025
Speakers from National Compadres Network provided an overview of the impact that personal, familial, systemic and generational trauma has on system impacted youth and the importance of culturally based health and healing in their recovery and transformation. If you missed it, visit the OYCR website to view the recording.
