Center for Children & Youth Justice

All children and youth deserve a fair chance

At the Center for Children and Youth Justice (CCYJ), we’re changing the way young people experience the child welfare and juvenile justice systems—for the better. By listening to young people and working with partners across Washington State, we’re helping to redesign our child welfare and juvenile justice systems to meet children and youth’s unique needs. Every year we help improve the lives of 50,000 young people.

News and Updates

Washington State Creates New Department of Children, Youth and Families: This win for Washington’s families is due to the long-term vision of many statewide advocates including CCYJ’s founding CEO/President Justice Bobbe Bridge (retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice) and founding Board Member Judge Anne Levinson (retired City of Seattle Municipal Court Judge). VIDEO: DCYF Bill Signing

CCYJ’s 2016 Annual Report now available

2017 Becca Conference Registration Open: October 5-6, 2017, Olympia, WA

Our Work

Empowering Foster and Homeless Youth

Building pathways to education, housing, and employment for foster and homeless youth

Keeping Kids in School

Activating education and justice communities to support youth in crisis

Reducing Gang Violence

Uniting partners to redirect gang-involved youth and get them on a positive path

Stabilizing Families

Combining legal, parent, and social services to strengthen King County families

Supporting LGBTQ Youth

Building capacity for foster care and juvenile courts to provide safe, affirming support

Combating Child Sexual Exploitation

Connecting sexually exploited children to resources and advocacy

Stay Up to Date

Stay up to date on CCYJ’s efforts to create better systems and better lives by joining our e-newsletter mailing list.

Learn More

Learn with CCYJ

This year’s Becca conference encourages, supports, and enhances collaborative community-based efforts to serve Becca involved youth and families. Learn more!

Hear LGBTQ Youth Voices

We’re piloting a Protocol for Safe & Affirming Care to ensure LGBTQ youth in juvenile justice and child welfare systems are treated fairly. It’s based on LGBTQ youth voices.

Join the CCYJ Community

Sign up for CCYJ’s email newsletter, the Justice Journal, to receive impact updates, invitations to community events, and important news on youth justice issues.