CJJ Committees

CJJ’s Leadership Committees are composed of SAG members, Organizational members, and Individual Members. They are appointed by the National Chair or elected by regions on the basis of interest and expertise.

Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Committee

This committee ensures that the diversity of race, culture, and ethnicity of youth in the juvenile justice system remains foremost in the minds of CJJ members. As a national group, and individually in their own states, members work to develop and implement juvenile justice system reforms that generate policies and services to resolve racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system. The committee acts as an advisor to CJJ on ethnic and cultural issues.

Finance Committee

This committee serves as the financial advisor to the Executive Board and the CJJ Council of SAGs in all of the organization’s financial affairs including, but not limited to preparing, in concert with the Executive Director, an annual operating budget prior to presentation to the Executive Board; conducting periodic review of all financial reports; facilitating a periodic review of all financial policies; reviewing the work of the audit committee; and designing and ensuring compliance with a general accounting practices and a system of internal accounting controls. This committee works closely with the Executive Board and Executive Director to identify opportunities for increasing funding and revenues consistent with the goals of the CJJ Strategic Plan. The committee reviews proposals and budgets to clarify the intent and impact of all new funding opportunities before they are presented to the Executive Board. The committee also oversees the Circle of Leaders individual contributions drive.  

Government Relations Committee

This committee reviews federal policy issues and questions related to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention on behalf of CJJ and all of its members. The committee formulates educational documents, including position papers, to represent the views of the SAGs and CJJ members. The committee also organizes CJJ’s annual Hill Day and other member training opportunities. Regularly, and at least annually, the committee presents policy recommendations to the CJJ Executive Board and the CJJ Council of SAGs. The committee also serves as a liaison to other national and state organizations working on federal policy. 

Nominating Committee

This committee ensures that a qualified slate of candidates for each elected position to the Executive Board is presented to the CJJ Council of SAGs for election. They organize a candidates’ forum prior to the election to introduce the candidates to the Council by written, in-person, or electronic means or a combination thereof, and employs all reasonable efforts to provide a pool of candidates that is representative and diverse in its composition. 

Emerging Leaders Committee

This committee ensures that CJJ members are apprised of the needs of youth in the system, and that SAGs actively utilize youth members in their states to develop the state’s juvenile justice plan. The committee engages youth and acts as an advisor to CJJ on youth issues, striving to keep juveniles' needs, as well as system and program improvements, constant priorities at the state and national level. The Youth Committee is also responsible for promoting and implementing the annual CJJ Spirit of Youth Award