2026 Annual Conference
Location:
Grand Hyatt Washington
Washington, D.C.
Date:
May 27 – 30, 2026
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 350 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 2026 Annual Conference.
As we continue to build upon our 42 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. Together, we will explore how partnerships across sectors can create comprehensive services, systems, and policies that meet the needs of youth and families, foster positive outcomes, and uphold accountability and public safety. The theme emphasizes building strong relationships and the critical role of partnerships as we build momentum for the Continuum of Care framework. Attendees will engage with the latest research, best practices, and pressing challenges impacting the field today. Through shared learning and dialogue, we aim to strengthen our collective capacity to advance effective, sustainable solutions for young people, their families, and their communities.
- How can collaborative and cross system partnerships improve A) delivery of prevention services and supports B) Intervention services and supports C) Reentry 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, data-driven narratives for youth justice?
- What are the best policies and practices in the field to improve and/or stay in compliance with the JJDPA?
Hotel Reservations at the Grand Hyatt Washington
Event information:
Booking Link:
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/WASGH/G-EJJ6
Room & Event Specs Cutoff Date:
The cutoff date for reservations is 5/6/2026.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please email us directly to make a note with your registration at [email protected].
Hill Day
Hill Day will take place on May 27th! There will be two training sessions on Wednesday, May 27th at 7am and 9am.
For more information, visit here.
CJJ’s 2026 Youth Summit
From Conflict to Care: Creating Justice For Youth, By Youth
This year’s Youth Summit Track, facilitated by the Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s Emerging Leaders Committee, empowers young individuals to share their insights with established juvenile justice professionals. The Youth Summit will explore how we move beyond systems that ask young people to merely survive and instead create pathways for them to truly thrive. By uplifting the voices of young people who have experienced the system firsthand and positioning young people as co-creators – not just recipients – of justice, we reimagine what justice can mean when it is shaped by youth, for youth. Together, we will explore innovative approaches that prioritize people over titles, center culture in care, and create meaningful access to action and advocacy at every stage of youth development.
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 2026 Annual Conference.
If you would like to support a young person in attending, please support our Youth Summit Campaign.
The Emerging Leaders Committee (ELC) Youth Scholarship Application is now open!
Through the ELC Youth Scholarship Fund, we aim to support young leaders from across the country in attending the 2026 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
This opportunity helps ensure that youth—especially those with lived experience—can participate in critical conversations, share their perspectives, and engage with leaders working to transform the juvenile justice system. We encourage eligible youth to apply and join us in shaping a future where justice is created with youth, for youth. Applications are now open through March 27th!
Call for Proposals
Submissions are now closed!
CJJ invites proposals for concurrent workshop sessions to be held on Thursday May 28th and Friday May 29th. The Review Committee will select a maximum of 21 proposals for workshops.
Selection Criteria
Workshops should be designed to last 65 minutes. The selection of proposals will take into consideration the following:
- Overall relevance to conference theme, ‘Bridges for Better Futures: The Power of Partnerships in Advancing Youth Justice’
- 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 workshop involve active discussion and interactions with the participants
- Whether the workshop introduces new/fresh content to the CJJ audience
- Meaningful partnership/engagement with young people
- Efforts to highlight State Advisory Group programs and engagement strategies
If selected, workshop presenters will be responsible for funding their own travel and lodging. CJJ does not pay presenters for their attendance. Selected presenters will have their registration fee waived for up to three presenters per workshop group.
Sponsorship and Exhibitor Information
Your sponsorship is an easy and affordable way to promote your program, publication, or institution to a targeted professional audience while supporting CJJ’s continued efforts towards juvenile justice reform and leadership development. Sponsorship dollars help support a broad range of necessary functions, including materials production, speaker and workshop support, youth engagement, and other general functions.
This year, CJJ has a limited number of exhibitor spaces available. Exhibiting at CJJ’s Annual Conference allows your organization an even greater opportunity to reach CJJ’s members and partners. The Exhibit Hall is located in a prime location, ideally situated alongside the conference registration areas and outside of the general session and breakout rooms. Set up for Exhibits will start at 6pm on Wednesday 5/27.
Each sponsorship or exhibitor level includes a CJJ membership (various restrictions apply, based on the level of support).
To discuss these or other sponsorship/exhibitor opportunities, please contact Shalee Forney at [email protected].
Nominate a Leader for CJJ’s 2026 Annual Conference Awards
Accepting nominations through March 16th!
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.
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.
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.
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.