Congressman DeSaulnier’s Statement on Passage of Legislation To Support At-Risk Youth

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) issued the following statement in response to passage of the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act (H.R.5963). Included in the bill is a provision similar to the SafeFutures Initiative that benefited Contra Costa County in the 1990s by connecting fragmented social, health, education, and juvenile justice programs within the community to make those services more seamless.

“As a young man working for the Boston juvenile court, I saw firsthand the importance of supporting programs that help decrease violence and delinquency and improve services to at-risk youth and their families. We have a responsibility to all of our children, regardless of their background or past mistakes. This provision works to identify the assistance children need before, during, and after potential interaction with the juvenile justice system. Through this program young adults will have the opportunity to be on track for a bright future,” said Congressman DeSaulnier, who oversaw the SafeFutures Initiative as a Contra Costa County Supervisor.

This bill reauthorizes the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) of 1974, which better coordinates federal resources for at-risk youth and juvenile offenders. The last time that JJDPA was reauthorized was in 2002.

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