After a decade of high-quality professional services in Washington, D.C., the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice’s Independent Living Program (ILP) is scheduled to close effective December 31, 2009.  In 1999, ILP was established as one of the first-ever scattered and single site independent living programs in the nation for 18 to 21 year old youthful offenders returning to the community from a correctional and/or mental health institution.

The ILP served homeless or near homeless youth from dysfunctional or unsafe home environments and operated on the principle of unconditional care.  This “no eject, no reject” philosophy dictates ILP’s client acceptance and termination protocol.  The program refuses to discriminate against any youth based upon his/her individual needs.  ILP accepts all youth, regardless of the juvenile’s level of risk.  Similarly, this program’s model will not terminate services or remove a client from the program due to poor performance.  Instead the program adopts the notion of unconditional care and conducts an intervention with the youth to determine why he/she is not performing as expected.  Contact cjcj@cjcj.org for more information about CJCJ’s Independent Living Program model or information on how to obtain technical assistance.

The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice would like to recognize the dedication and professionalism of its past and current staff.  Additionally, CJCJ would like to acknowledge the local community-based organizations and community members for their dedication in providing services to our most challenging youth.  CJCJ has appreciated the opportunity to provide community-based services to District of Columbia youth through the Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services.

Best Regards,

Daniel Macallair, MPA
Executive Director
Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice