The Pennsylvania Youth Justice Advisory Board (YJAB) Best Practices Toolkit is a resource jointly produced by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC) and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). It draws on insights from existing YJABs—gathered through surveys, focus groups with youth, interviews, site visits, and community calls—to compile practical guidance rooted in real-world experience.

Aimed at counties and organizations across Pennsylvania, the toolkit empowers communities to effectively establish, operate, and sustain YJABs, ensuring youth voices are central to juvenile justice decision-making. Its overarching purpose is to make the process of creating meaningful, youth-led advisory boards more accessible and effective, fostering stronger youth leadership and collaboration in justice reform efforts.

produced by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (JCJC) and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).