Resources Library
The National Center for Youth Law shares its learning and experience to assist people in our efforts to support and empower youth. Browse our research and resources.
Browse Resources
An Evaluation of the National Center for Youth Law’s Compassionate Education Systems Program
Every child dreams of a bright future. They deserve safe spaces and connections with supportive people that promote their health and well-being, allow them to freely learn, be themselves, and pursue their dreams. Students deserve an engaging education that supports and prepares them for college, career, and community life.
Click to read 
Miranda Rights – Protection Guides for Youth and Professionals
California's SB 203, passed in 2020, requires all youth under age 18 to consult with an attorney before waiving their constitutional rights during a custodial interrogation.
Click to read 
Youth Justice In California: Obstacles to a Public Health Approach
This brief highlights three initiatives in California to create systems that support youth, communities, and state by endeavoring to create alternatives to the damaging practice of youth incarceration and strove to center juvenile justice within a public health approach.
Click to read 
District Leadership Checklist for Supporting the Unique Needs of Students in Foster Care, Experiencing Homelessness or in the Juvenile Justice System
This is a tool for local education agency leadership to support planning and monitoring for students that are experiencing homelessness, in foster care or involved with the juvenile justice system (together, “students with unique needs”).
Click to read 
Ending Endless Probation
Probation is the most common court ordered outcome imposed on youth in juvenile court in California. Too often, youth are placed on probation for an unspecified amount of time, while under the microscope of overly burdensome and confusing probation conditions.
Click to read 
The High Cost of “Justice”: A Snapshot of Juvenile Court Fines and Fees in Michigan
When youth in Michigan enter the juvenile justice system, they face consequences such as probation oversight and out of home confinement for months or sometimes years.
Click to read 
Police in Schools: A Background Paper
This paper is intended to be a background tool on the issue of police in schools.
Click to read 
All Hands on Deck: Identifying and Supporting Commercially Sexually Exploited Youth in the Juvenile Justice System
This report details Los Angeles County Probation Department's efforts over the past eight years to better identify and serve youth who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation (CSE).
Click to read