The ICYJ’s mission is to serve as an active shared learning collaborative that promotes interdisciplinary intellectual discourse and research in the field of youth justice, develops the next generation of youth justice professionals and leaders, and improves youth systems’ performance and outcomes for youth at-risk for or involved with the youth justice system.

ICYJ’s objectives:

1. To produce and disseminate applied research that assists in the development of public policy on issues of youth justice and furthers community understanding of these issues.
2. To serve as a research catalyst for faculty and scholars interested in youth justice by connecting interested researchers with youth justice agencies and creating space for collaborative interdisciplinary grant funded research.
3. To strengthen JMU efforts at quality workforce development by:

• exposing students to classroom instruction, trainings and workshop series conducted by leading practitioners and experts in the field of youth justice;
• offering students paid internships and other field-based training;
• connecting students with potential future employers.

4. In collaboration with RFK National Resource Center, to provide consultation, technical assistance, and training to local, state, and national leaders, practitioners and youth serving agencies.