We have much to celebrate as we close out calendar year 2025. This year, we published our 5 Year SB 823: DJJ Realignment Report, our 2024 Annual Report, our youth voice report called Please Don’t Give Up on us: Voices from Incarcerated Children and Youth in California, as well as our 2025 AB 102 Report and a new AB 102 Data Dashboard. All these reports are rich with information and data pertaining to the youth justice reform work in California. Our team also trained hundreds of professionals at our monthly Youth Justice Action webinars which offer CEUs for many of our youth justice stakeholders. It has been 5 years since SB 823 was signed, and 2.5 years since the Department of Juvenile Justice closed its doors.
Counties have picked up the mantle of the rehabilitation of adolescents closer to their homes in smaller congregate settings, which has shown to improve long-term outcomes for youth and to ultimately increase public safety. The 2025 County Plans submitted as part of the Juvenile Justice Realignment Formula Grant, our site visits to both Juvenile Facilities and to Community Based Organizations across the state continue to show a true commitment to excellence by professionals across the youth justice spectrum.
We at OYCR are confident that the north star of SB 823 to treat youth who offend with a trauma informed, restorative justice, positive youth development lens will continue to guide our policy and practice work into 2026 and that the data will continue to show that we are on the right track.
Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.) Director
Office of Youth and Community Restoration California Health & Human Services Agency
Voices of Youth Justice
Youth Justice Leaders We’re Thankful For
“We’re trying to look for creative solutions to solve many of the issues we see, especially for our marginalized communities…I’m optimistic about the future of what we can do.” —JC Cavitt, Cal State Fullerton’s Project Rebound Executive Director
We’re thankful for the leaders transforming California’s youth justice system. Across the state, youth with lived experience, probation leaders, and community organizations are coming together to reimagine justice—building programs that support young people as they reenter their communities, advising on policies that impact their lives, and creating pathways for leadership, education, and healing.
Read our blog to meet the youth justice leaders we’re celebrating this (and every) season and learn how their work is driving change.
What Listening and Centering Culture and Community for Tribal Youth Looks Like
“So many or all tribal youth experience intergenerational trauma, impacting their attitude and engagement in services... Connectedness with community and family [makes] a difference. The data will tell you that, and seeing the smile on [faces] will tell you that as well.” —Kimberly Cluff, Legal Director at the California Tribal Families Coalition (CTFC)
California’s Native youth often navigate systems that overlook their cultures and communities. Our latest blog features insights from CTFC’s Kimberly Cluff, in addition to Shaylynne Masten and a young person from Two Feathers Native American Family Services. It highlights how OYCR and tribal partners are working to center culture, community, and support for justice-involved youth.
Read the full blog to see just how profoundly thoughtful collaboration and culturally grounded approaches can transform young people’s lives.
Partner Highlight
Thank you to Jose Luis Lopez Garcia
The Office of Youth and Community Restoration, Health Policy Division, was pleased to provide an opportunity to University of California Davis, Master of Public Health student, Jose Luis Lopez Garcia to complete his practicum for his degree. Practicums require students to contribute 180 hours on a project for an outside agency related to public health. OYCR was in the process of developing a webinar in partnership with our JustSolve partners, Scott McDonald and Jacqueline Skapik, on Gun Violence for county probation officers and Jose was able to jump in and assist in research for the project.
Gun Violence has been noted to be a public health crisis, and when Jose shared an interest in the topic, we were able to support him in his research and project development. The result has been a final report mapping resources and best practices in California for addressing gun violence and a statewide webinar where he was able to present his findings.
The picture is of Jose holding a Certificate of Appreciation he received on behalf of Judge Katherine Lucero (ret), Director of OYCR. OYCR looks forward to providing additional opportunities for students to learn more about juvenile justice and support their educational endeavors.
News and Updates
Updates from Federal Government on Pell Grant Eligibility
Beginning in 2026, the federal government is expanding Pell Grant eligibility to include short-term workforce training programs. This change allows eligible youth to access up to $4,310 per year for non-degree programs that are as short as eight weeks. These funds can cover tuition, books, transportation, housing, and other education-related expenses such as food or childcare.
A few highlights from the update that are especially relevant to youth who are on probation, step-down, and Less Restrictive Programs (LRP):
Workforce Pell Grants could be used to support short-term training programs in high-demand fields where state-wide LRP partners are already building pathways.
States will be required to ensure programs demonstrate clear employment outcomes, which aligns with OYCR’s focus on measuring system performance, youth outcomes, and long-term stability.
Youth will need help navigating which training programs qualify, which creates an opportunity for OYCR to support counties and LRPs as they strengthen reentry supports, career navigation, and transition planning.
Connection to OYCR’s LRP work:
As counties continue developing and refining LRP programming, this expansion could provide a new funding stream to help youth before or upon release. Many LRPs are already emphasizing career readiness, credentialing, and employment connections; Workforce Pell Grants could help remove financial barriers and allow youth to pursue training.
“Not only do workforce Pell Grants benefit workers and businesses, but they also give young people the opportunity to chart their own path to a great career.”
Katie Spiker, Chief of Federal Affairs at the National Skills Coalition.
Read more about Workforce Pell Grants and how they may be utilized.
For more information including technical assistance, contact oycr@chhs.ca.gov
Celebrating A Boy Called Josh and the Vision of the OYCR at the Sacramento Film Festival
We are excited to share that A Boy Called Josh, a deeply moving and human-centered short film, was recognized at the 2025 Sacramento Film Festival and won the Groundbreaking Cinema Award. The film offers a rare and powerful window into the lived experience of a young person transitioning from a Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) into a Less Restrictive Program (LRP)—specifically, the RISE House, a program designed to support safety, stability, and successful reentry.
The story of Josh underscores the importance of community-based, developmentally appropriate, and restorative pathways for young people returning home. It also highlights the transformative role of LRPs like RISE House, which provide structure, connection, and healing-centered support during one of the most pivotal transitions in a young person’s life.
At the heart of this work is the vision and mission of SB 823 which is grounded in decades of research and data that shows the Positive Youth Development model combined with access to support and resources as an adolescent transitions back to their community, can reshape California’s youth justice landscape into one that prioritizes hope, accountability, and community belonging.
The recognition of A Boy Called Josh at the Sacramento Film Festival shines a bright light on the collaborative county and statewide efforts to support young people transitioning out of SYTF placements and into community-based, less restrictive environments that foster growth and long-term success.
Youth Success Stories
Matthew Gomez joined the California Conservation Corps (CCC) in August 2023 after returning home from the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), and he quickly become a standout leader in the program. Over the past two years, Matthew has embraced every opportunity for growth—earning promotions, scholarships, and the respect of his fellow Corpsmembers.
Matthew was promoted to Natural Resource Specialist in April 2025 and received an AmeriCorps scholarship later that summer. He also completed more than 100 hours of community service, supporting local events, planting trees in residential areas, and helping improve facilities at a dog and cat rescue center.
During the 2023–2025 fire seasons, Matthew stepped up repeatedly, responding to major emergencies across the state—including the 2024 Palisades Fire and the Park Fire. His outstanding performance earned him the Brad Duncan Scholarship and a promotion to Crew Leader I in October 2025.
Most recently, Matthew was selected for the CCC’s statewide leadership training, a competitive opportunity for rising youth leaders across California. He is now preparing to help lead future trainings and has set his sights on becoming a Conservationist I and participating in the CCC’s renowned Backcountry Program.
Matthew’s journey is a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when given the opportunity, support, and space to grow. We are proud to celebrate his leadership, service, and continued success.
During the 2023–2025 fire seasons, Matthew stepped up repeatedly, responding to major emergencies across the state—including the 2024 Palisades Fire and the Park Fire. His outstanding performance earned him the Brad Duncan Scholarship and a promotion to Crew Leader I in October 2025.
Most recently, Matthew was selected for the CCC’s statewide leadership training, a competitive opportunity for rising youth leaders across California. He is now preparing to help lead future trainings and has set his sights on becoming a Conservationist I and participating in the CCC’s renowned Backcountry Program.
Matthew’s journey is a powerful reminder of what young people can achieve when given the opportunity, support, and space to grow. We are proud to celebrate his leadership, service, and continued success.
4th Annual Northern ACEs Summit
The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) Health Policy Division was excited to co-sponsor and participate in the 4th Annual Rural ACEs Summit It takes a Village: Building Systems of Care that Center Youth and Families. The Summit was held in Redding, December 10, 2025, and was implemented by the Public Health Institute’s Population Health Innovation Lab.
The day brought together over 150 leaders from behavioral health, probation, social services, schools, and tribal entities to share and learn from each other on how to operationalize all of the behavioral health resources available to counties and their partners in the rural north state.
The energy throughout the room was infectious as connections were made, learning about what is happening at the state level, as well as some community spotlights. The Summit, was an introduction to the upcoming Rural Resilience Innovation Hub, formerly advertised as a Community of Practice. OYCR is pleased to be providing the support to launch this Hub to assist counties in collaborating on all of the behavioral initiatives as they work with youth involved in and out of the justice system.
The event was preceded on December 9, 2025, by an all-day learning opportunity from Open Doors Training, focusing on working with youth with substance use and mental health disorders. This training immediately sold out, and PHIL is looking at hosting additional trainings in the rural north.
We are sharing pictures from the event highlighting the different panels that were showcased throughout the day – inclusive of State leaders from DHCS, CDSS, and OYCR, OYCRs Youth Advisory Board, and OYCR Director Lucero providing the keynote for the Summit! Overall, the event was a success! If you would like to learn more about the Rural Resilience Innovation Hub and join one of their convenings, please click on the highlighted link.
This webinar will examine key 2025 legislation and appellate cases shaping juvenile justice including updates on the latest changes and their implications for juvenile justice systems.
Date: Tuesday, January 22, 2026 Time: 1:00 to 2:30 PST
This webinar highlighted key takeaways from Fewer Chutes, More Ladders, a forthcoming OYCR-commissioned Forward Change report on disrupting school-to-justice pathways and supporting successful reentry.
Transforming Systems and Supporting Youth Insights on Diversion from Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development
November 21, 2025
The November Youth Justice Action webinar provided an overview of the Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development (DYD), its creation, structure, funding, and diversion program, highlighting how diversion works in practice and how DYD’s approach has evolved to reduce system involvement and expand opportunities for young people. View webinar information and recordings on our website.
