Professional Letter

							Application Instructions
2010 Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute
Thank you for your interest in the inaugural year of the National Juvenile Justice Network’s (NJJN) Juvenile
Justice Leadership Development Institute. The Institute’s mission is to create the foundation for a more
effective juvenile justice reform movement by developing a strong base of well prepared and well trained
advocates and organizers who reflect the communities most affected by juvenile justice system practices and
policies, with a particular focus on cultivating and supporting leaders of color, youth and family members.
The Institute seeks to build, nurture and expand the group of emerging advocates and organizers with proven
leadership potential that is knowledgeable about juvenile justice system structures and reform needs, and
trained in effective advocacy and organizing techniques to achieve systems change.


Curriculum
The Institute is comprised of three components: the Learning Academy, Engagement with the Field, and
Mentorship and Distance Learning. Both the Learning Academy and Engagement with the Field will
take place July 11-16, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Learning Academy: During the first three days of programming, Institute participants will gather for an
intensive course in juvenile justice system structure and policies, system reform, advocacy and organizing
skills, and movement building. Topics to be covered include: Overview and History of the Juvenile Justice
System, Court Process from Arrest through Release, Organizing and Advocacy Techniques and Strategies,
Organizational Development, and Movement Building Overview. Also during the Learning Academy,
participants may work one-on-one with mentors and will develop and finalize an advocacy project that they
will pursue over the course of the next year.

Engagement with the Field: After completing the Learning Academy, Institute participants will integrate
into NJJN’s Forum, during which they will increase their juvenile justice system and reform process
knowledge and develop relationships with the larger advocacy field. The Forum is a two and a half day, in-
person gathering of representatives from NJJN member and partner organizations and offers workshops, site
visits, skill building sessions, and networking events.

Mentorship and Distance Learning: During the final component of the Institute, participants will engage in a
year-long mentorship with either an NJJN member organization, NJJN partner organization, or another
expert in the field of juvenile justice reform. Mentors will provide Institute participants with ongoing
guidance, networking opportunities and general support, as well as assistance with participants’ advocacy
projects. Institute participants will also be expected to participate in at least six distance learning
opportunities over the course of the year on topics such as leadership skills for advocates; sustaining morale
and motivation; lobbying/legislative relations; fundraising/grant writing; and various juvenile justice issues.
NJJN will also establish an Institute-specific working group and listserv so that participants can discuss and
strategize around the particular challenges that they face as emerging advocates.


Participant Selection, Preparation and Evaluation
Participants will be selected by the Applicant Review Committee of the Institute’s Advisory Board and
Planning Committee. Individuals will be evaluated based on their prior experience in the area of social
justice reform, their commitment to juvenile justice reform, and their potential for long-term success in the
field. The Planning Committee expects to admit at least eight individuals for the 2010 Institute.

Once selected, participants will establish an advocacy project and related goals to pursue during their year in
the Institute. NJJN will encourage participants to work with their mentors and NJJN staff to establish
reasonable, doable and meaningful goals that reflect the needs and opportunities existing in their
communities.

Prior to the beginning of the Institute, participants will complete a written baseline evaluation of their current
knowledge base and skill set, as well as a self-assessment of perceived strengths, weaknesses and goals.
NJJN will also interview a mentor or supervisor familiar with each participant to identify participants’
current skills, strengths and weaknesses. At the completion of the year-long mentorship, participants will
complete a final written evaluation and self-assessment and NJJN will conduct follow-up interviews with
participants’ mentors and supervisors.


Support and Logistical Details
NJJN will provide the following for all Institute participants:
    Transportation to New Orleans, Louisiana
       Room and board for all in-person activities, July 11-16, 2010
       Distance learning courses
       Materials and readings for all coursework
       Facilitation of mentorship arrangement

Due to limited resources, NJJN will not be able to provide a stipend or any financial support for
participants. All participants must have other means to support their advocacy and organizing work.

All prospective applicants must be able to commit to and set aside the time for the in-person
components of the Institute. The in-person sessions will take place July 11-16, 2010 in New Orleans,
Louisiana. Participants must also commit to a year-long mentorship and work on a long-term
advocacy project.


About NJJN
NJJN is a network of state-based advocacy organizations and coalitions that are working to reform their
states’ juvenile justice systems. NJJN’s mission is to enhance the capacity of state-based juvenile justice
coalitions and organizations to advocate for state and federal laws, policies and practices that are fair,
equitable and developmentally appropriate for all children, youth and families involved in, or at risk of
becoming involved in, the justice system. NJJN currently has 40 members in 33 states, and 16 national
partners that support its work. To learn more about NJJN, visit www.njjn.org or e-mail info@njjn.org.


Application Instructions (Please Read Carefully!)
Please fully complete the attached application. You may submit your application in hard copy, electronic,
audio, or video format. Do your best to be concise. Include with your application the names and contact
information of two nominators who can speak to your experience as an advocate for social justice reform.
Each nominator must complete the Nomination Form and submit it directly to NJJN.

All applications will be reviewed by the Applicant Review Committee of the Institute’s Advisory Board and
Planning Committee. Members of the Applicant Review Committee will contact applicants to learn more
about their experience and interest in the Institute. Complete applications must be submitted to NJJN no
later than March 12, 2010. Applicants will be notified of final acceptance decisions no later than March
23, 2010.

Submit all application materials to:
    Annie Balck
    Project Manager, Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute
    National Juvenile Justice Network
    1710 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, 10th Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20036
You may also e-mail your application to Annie Balck at balck@juvjustice.org.

If you have any questions about the Institute or the application process, please contact Annie Balck at 202-
467-0864 x124 or balck@juvjustice.org.

Thank you!


Timeline of Application Process and Institute Programming

Jan. 21, 2010               Applications released
March 12, 2010              Application deadline (Application Form and two Nomination Forms)
April 13, 2010              Final acceptance decisions; offers extended to prospective participants
April 27, 2010              Deadline for acceptance of offers by prospective participants
May 27, 2010                Finalization of mentor/participant pairings
June 11, 2010               Deadline for proposed advocacy project plans
July 11-16, 2010            In-person Institute programming and NJJN Forum
July 30, 2010               Deadline for finalized advocacy project plans
Monthly from Aug.           Meetings between Institute participants and mentors
2010-July 2011
Bi-monthly from Aug.        Distance learning courses
2010-June 2011
Application Form
Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute

Please complete all of the fields below. Complete applications must be submitted to NJJN no later than
March 12, 2010.

Submit all application materials to:
    Annie Balck
    Project Manager, Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute
    National Juvenile Justice Network
    1710 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, 10th Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20036
You may also e-mail your application to Annie Balck at balck@juvjustice.org.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Annie Balck at the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN)
(202-467-0864 x124; balck@juvjustice.org).

Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Cell Phone:

E-mail:

How do you identify yourself? Check all that apply.
      Arab
      Asian
      Black/African American
      Black/African Caribbean
      Latino/Latina

          Pacific Islander
          White
                                                           estioning)


How have you experienced the juvenile justice system? Check as many as apply.


         s a public policy advocate




Please answer the following questions. You may provide your answers in written, audio or video
format. You are not limited to the space provided, but please be concise. You may attach supporting
documents such as your resume, news articles, etc.

1. Please describe your personal experience working to transform, navigate or survive the juvenile justice
   system. If you do not have personal experience with the juvenile justice system, please describe your
   experience in a related field.


2. What is your vision for transformation of the juvenile justice system and building opportunities for
   youth?


3. What, if any, juvenile justice organization(s) are you currently connected to? What is your role there? If
   you are not currently connected to a juvenile justice organization, please explain your current
   connections to an organization or institution in a related field.


4. What skills are you most interested in learning to strengthen your work towards transformation of the
   juvenile justice system? How does the Institute’s programming fit with your current needs and the
   training or development opportunities you have had in the past?


5. Are you connected with the NJJN member in your state? (For a complete listing of NJJN members, visit
   http://njjn.org/members_public.html.)




    If applicable, please describe your connection:

6. Are you able to commit to attending in person the Institute’s Learning Academy and NJJN Forum, July
   11-16, 2010 in New Orleans, LA? (Note that the Institute will provide transportation to and from New
   Orleans as well as room and board.)
Please provide the names and contact information for two nominators who can speak to your
experience as an advocate to transform the juvenile justice system and/or your advocacy efforts in a
related field. Each nominator must complete the separate nomination form and submit it directly to
NJJN.

Nominator

Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Cell Phone:

E-mail:


Nominator

Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Cell Phone:

E-mail:
Nomination Form
Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute

All applications for the 2010 Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute must include two completed
nomination forms. Nomination forms must be submitted directly to NJJN no later than March 12,
2010.

Nominators: Please complete all fields and questions below. You are not limited to the space provided,
but please be concise. In order to better understand the perspective of each nominator, we ask that you
include with this form a copy of your resume, CV or bio.

Submit nomination forms directly to NJJN:
    Annie Balck
    Project Manager, Juvenile Justice Leadership Development Institute
    National Juvenile Justice Network
    1710 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, 10th Floor
    Washington, D.C. 20036
You may also e-mail your nomination form to Annie Balck at balck@juvjustice.org.

Please direct any questions or concerns to Annie Balck at NJJN (202-467-0864 x124; balck@juvjustice.org).


Applicant’s Name:

Nominator’s Name:

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Cell Phone:

E-mail:
 1. How long have you known the applicant?


 2. In what capacity have you worked/are you working with the applicant?


 3. Please provide at least two examples of the applicant’s work in the area social justice and/or
    advocacy/organizing. Provide details of the issues addressed and the applicant’s work on those
    issues. Also explain in what capacity you worked with the applicant (e.g. supervisor, colleague,
    mentor, etc.).


 4. What do you consider to be the applicant’s strongest skills and most promising assets as he/she
    embarks on a career of juvenile justice advocacy?


 5. In what areas do you feel that the applicant is in most need of additional knowledge or skills?


 6. Why do you believe that the applicant is a good candidate for the Juvenile Justice Leadership
    Development Institute? In what ways do you believe the applicant and his or her work would benefit
    from the Institute at this time?


 7. Do you believe that the applicant is committed to long-term work towards transformation of the
    juvenile justice system?


 8. Please provide any additional information about the applicant that you believe the Applicant Review
    Committee should be aware of.


Please remember that in order to better understand the perspective of each nominator, we ask that
              you include a copy of your resume, CV or bio along with this form.


                  Thank you for your support of the Institute and its applicants!