Juvenile Court Aligned Action Network
The Juvenile Court Aligned Action Network (JCAAN) is a structured, data-driven collaborative focused on improving education outcomes and increasing the graduation rate of youth in the juvenile justice system. This program is particularly impactful, as studies show that youth engaged in the justice system are significantly more likely to have adult criminal records than youth with self-reported delinquency and similar backgrounds, but no system engagement; ultimately, the more restrictive and more intense the justice system intervention are, the greater its negative impact.
JCAAN strives to ensure those who enter the system leave on a trajectory that includes graduation from high school and engagement in post-secondary education. School districts, juvenile court, the probation department, and community based service providers work together to use data to inform planning, drive results, and implement evidence-based strategies to reconnect youth engaged in the justice system to school and learning opportunities. JCAAN’s three areas of focus are:
Building school attachment
Cultivating a college and career mindset
Partner organizations
The JCAAN program has made significant impact for youth in Santa Clara County through their partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE). Specifically, JCAAN supported the SCCOE on establishing a practice to help students re-enroll in their home school after spending time in detention. Additionally, JCAAN also partnered with the SCCOE’s Education Equity Committee to pilot a summer school attendance challenge with the Gilroy School District targeting students 15+ credits behind and engaged in the justice system, foster care system, and McKinney Vento. 96 students participated and with a summer school session completion rate of 83%.
(Sources: 9. Gatti, Umberto, Tremblay, Richard E., Vitaro, Frank. Iatrogenic effect of Juvenile Justice. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 50:8 (2009) pp 991-998. OR link to page 57 of Data Book, 2024).
2025 JCAAN College & Career Fair: Impact & Recap
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Held on March 15, 2025 at San Jose State University (SJSU).
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Hosted 110 participants and 24 post-secondary and career tabling organizations
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At the event students and families were able to:
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Meet post-secondary and career organizations
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Have a complimentary headshot photo taken
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Be provided a professional shirt for job interviews
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Receive hands on support with post-secondary or financial aid applications
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Receive childcare during the event, as needed
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Event Partners: SJSU, SJ Public Library, Santa Clara County Probation's Education Services Unit, Fresh Lifelines for Youth's Youth Advisory Council, and additional JCAAN member organizations.
Additionally...
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Community partners were able to connect with each other and identify further ways to collaborate and strengthen their efforts to support probation-involved students
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OYCR supported exploration of the development of a pathway for Secure Track Youth to access SJSU Project Rebound and attain their bachelor's degrees
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Partnership development between Santa Clara County Probation Department's Ed. Services Unit and Gavilan
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College Rising Scholars Program were able to connect youth to juvenile-justice specific support programming at the community college
District 4 Supervisor Sue Ellenberg for sponsoring the "College & Career Fair"
Media Coverage
Improving outcomes: California event connects justice-involved youth to college & career supports | by National Center for Youth Law | NCYL News | Apr, 2025 | Medium
Quotes from Youth Participants:
It was a great event thank you for caring
Got many resources, thank you.
I really enjoyed meeting new people and seeing all the programs that are there to support us!
Thank you for providing a space for youth who are/have been juvenile justice impacted and show them that there are options to pursue both higher education and go the vocational route and that they can take up space in colleges and other majors!
JCAAN Videos and Articles
