Part I: R2R Initiative Background Summary

Part I:

R2R Initiative Background Summary

The school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately impacts communities of color. Punitive policies and practices within public school districts and the juvenile justice system have stunted the potential of too many young people in Los Angeles and the country.

Both initial contact and continued involvement with the justice system are associated with the increased likelihood of dropping out of high school, trauma, substance abuse, and other outcomes that negatively impact a young person’s lifetime health and success. Formerly incarcerated persons earn lower wages because they face occupational restrictions, encounter discrimination in the hiring process, and have weaker social networks and less human capital due to their incarceration. The formerly incarcerated also have a mortality rate 3.5 times higher than that of people who have never been incarcerated. Their shortened life spans collectively add an economic toll of almost $63 billion to the United States.1

Challenge: Conventional systemic responses to juvenile crime—including arrest, incarceration, and probation—have been demonstrated to exacerbate the hardships already experienced by young people facing poverty, prejudice, and/or structural inequality. These responses do not address the root cause of juvenile crime, which is unmet developmental needs.

Design: Through grantmaking and technical assistance support, this project will catalyze the growth of an L.A. County-wide youth development system made up of culturally responsive, community-based services meant to connect systems-impacted young people to opportunities for civic engagement, wellness, and academic and professional enrichment.

Vision: A robust youth development system that directs public dollars away from punishment and towards prevention, and integrates across public agencies, non-profits, and school systems to meet core development and needs for young people, especially for youth who face hardship related to poverty, abuse, prejudice, and/or neighborhood violence.

1 Ferner, Matt (2016). “The Full Cost of Incarcerating in the U.S. is Over $1 Trillion, Study Finds.” Huffington Post