Hill Day

Hill Day 2025

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, CJJ will host its annual Hill Day in Washington, D.C, providing juvenile justice advocates and stakeholders an opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers. Participants will receive day-of training on key policy issues before meeting with members of Congress to discuss priorities such as increased funding for community-based programs and reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).

To plan and prepare for your Hill Day visit, check out CJJ’s Hill Day Planning Guide:

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See other Hill Day resources below:

The Valid Court Order Exception: As initially enacted, the JJDPA included a blanket prohibition on incarcerating youth for status offense behaviors. An amendment added in the 1980s created what is now known as the valid court order (VCO) exception, a provision that enables states to incarcerate youth who are found in violation of a valid court order. This sheet explains the VCO exception and the importance of phasing it out.

Historic Funding Chart: This resource looks at federal juvenile justice appropriations and how they have changed in recent years.

Recommendations to the 119th Congress: This resource details the Coalition for Juvenile Justice’s recommendations to the 119th Congress. These include restoring appropriations for juvenile justice programs as well as ensuring appropriate implementation and oversight of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, and eliminating the Valid Court Order (VCO) exception.