2025 Annual Conference
Location:
Grand Hyatt Washington
Washington, D.C.
Date:
May 28th-31st, 2025
Stronger Together: Building Collective Momentum for Youth Justice
Each year, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) hosts a national conference that brings together juvenile justice practitioners, advocates, policymakers, and system stakeholders to discuss critical issues, share knowledge, and drive positive change within the juvenile justice system.
Last year’s event saw more than 500 juvenile justice professionals and advocates from across the U.S. and its territories converge to exchange ideas and solutions. This year, we invite you to join us for our 2025 Annual Conference.
As we continue to build upon our 40 years, the conference will center around the power of collective action and collaboration, focusing on how we can work together to create lasting change for youth in the justice system. This year’s theme emphasizes unity and shared purpose as we build momentum for comprehensive, youth-centered reform. We will explore the latest research, best practices, and critical challenges impacting the field today.
- How can collaborative and cross system partnerships improve delivery of services and supports for youth and families?
- How do we engage youth, lived experts, communities, and families in co-creating responses to root causes of delinquency?
- How can we educate and unite justice practitioners on strength-based and data-driven narratives for youth justice?
- How can SAGs, agencies, practitioners, and allies build momentum for strengthening youth systems of care?
Hill Day
Hill Day will take place on May 28th! There will be two training sessions on Wednesday, May 28th at 7am and 9am. For more information, visit here.
CJJ’s 2025 Youth Summit– Together We Climb: Young People Shaping Our Communities and Futures
The Youth Summit Track, hosted by the Emerging Leaders Committee, provides a platform for young individuals to build community, collaborate meaningfully, and develop their professional identities while addressing issues important to them. This track centers around young people advocating for themselves and their peers, and emphasizes the empowerment of youth leaders to positively shape their communities. While some sessions are primarily reserved for youth attendees, more experienced professionals are strongly encouraged to attend open sessions to gain insights into youthful perspectives and take part in intergenerational collaboration. This year, the ELC will be holding their Youth Summit at CJJ’s 2025 Annual Conference.
This track centers around young people advocating for themselves and their peers and emphasizes the empowerment of youth leaders to positively shape their communities. While some sessions are primarily reserved for youth attendees, more experienced professionals are strongly encouraged to attend open sessions to gain insights into youthful perspectives and take part in intergenerational collaboration.
If you would like to support a young person in attending, please support our Youth Summit Campaign.
Registration
Registration is now closed
If you are a state agency that will require an invoice, please contact Shalee at [email protected]. Please include the names, emails, and specify if they are a CJJ member in the email.
If you have any dietary restrictions or need any other accessibility accommodations, please email us at [email protected].
Hotel Bookings
Grand Hyatt Washington
1000 H Street
Washington, D.C. 20001
To book, please click the link above. To ensure your stay, we recommend that you make your reservations by May 6, 2025.
Call for Proposals
Submissions are now CLOSED
CJJ invites proposals for concurrent workshop sessions to be held on Thursday May 29th and Friday May 30th. The Review Committee will select a maximum of 21 proposals for workshops.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be selected based on:
- Overall relevance to conference theme/tracks.
- Contribution to the conference to ensure a variety of topics/viewpoints/approaches are represented.
- Whether the presentation topic can be replicated through other state and/or local efforts.
- To what extent does the proposal provide for active discussion and interactions with the participants.
- Whether the presentation introduces new/fresh content to the CJJ audience.
Preference will be given to proposals that:
- Highlight State Advisory Group (SAG) programs, policy work, or engagement strategies.
- Involve efforts to meaningfully partner and engage with young people.
- That are interactive and do not require audiovisuals, including PowerPoint.
Content
Interactive workshops should be designed to last 65 minutes.
Sponsorship and Exhibitor Package
Nominate a Leader for CJJ’s 2025 Annual Conference Awards
Submissions are now CLOSED
The A.L. Carlisle Child Advocacy Award
Presented by the CJJ annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to youth, to improving the youth legal system, or in the broader area of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention concerns.
The Spirit of Youth Award
Given by CJJ to recognize and celebrate a young person who overcame personal obstacles in his/her life and is now making significant contributions to society.
The Tony Gobar Award
Named in honor of the late Tony Gobar, a long-time Juvenile Justice Specialist from Mississippi, serves as a way for CJJ to recognize a state Juvenile Justice Specialist who has exemplified excellence in service to others, has been dedicated and committed to improving the juvenile justice system, and has demonstrated compassion and concern for youth and advocates.
Marion Mattingly Lifetime Achievement Award
Given to an individual who has an exemplary, demonstrated commitment to the reform of the juvenile justice system and advocacy for the cause of youth involved in it. The award will be given to an individual, regardless of profession or vocation, who has given a life of service through dedication and achievement in the field of juvenile justice as an agent for change and challenge to the conventionality of the system.
