As we turn the calendar to September, we celebrate the start of a new school year — a season of fresh beginnings, renewed focus, and opportunities for growth. For the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR), “back to school” is more than just a time of year; it is a reminder of the critical role that education plays in shaping the future of young people, especially those touched by the justice system.
At OYCR, we use the term Educational Health to describe the knowledge, skills, and opportunities youth need to succeed academically, socially, and developmentally. Just like physical or mental health, educational health is essential — and we believe it must be prioritized as a central part of advancing youth justice.
Aligned with best practices, OYCR is committed to strengthening educational health for youth and young adults across the system by:
Creating and convening the Educational Advisory Committee, bringing together county and state leaders dedicated to improving Court Schools and Alternative Education settings;
Breaking down silos between education and juvenile justice partners at both the county and state levels;
Partnering with California Rising Scholars, Project Rebound, the Prison Education Program (PEP), the Department of Rehabilitation, and quality literacy programs to expand educational opportunities for youth in detention settings;
Championing higher education and vocational pathways that support successful reentry into communities and enhance public safety;
Promoting equitable educational opportunities to improve outcomes for every student in juvenile justice settings;
Identifying and elevating county-level excellence in Probation Departments and County Offices of Education as models for others.
Education is the bridge between a challenging past and a hopeful future. By prioritizing educational health, we not only support youth in achieving academic and career success, but also contribute to building safer, stronger communities across California.
Thank you for joining us in this important work. Together, we can ensure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.
Warm regards,
Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.) Director
Office of Youth and Community Restoration California Health & Human Services Agency
Voices of Youth Justice
California as a Case Study in Youth Justice Reform
“It’s the energy, it’s the radiance, it’s the warmth, it’s the compassion that we have in California that is really leading the entire United States in terms of this movement.” —Dr. Renford Reese, Prison Education Project Founder and Cal Poly Pomona Professor of Political Science
Two years after closing the Division of Juvenile Justice, California is showing what’s possible when youth justice is reimagined with care, equity, and community-based support. Together, we are rebuilding systems that tackle the root causes of involvement, expand opportunities for young people, and ensure their youth voices are kept at the center of every decision.
Read the blog to explore California’s progress—from historic investments in local care to the launch of the Youth Advisory Board and a Youth Justice Summit— and see how our state is setting a nationwide example for youth-centered justice.
News and Updates - Focus on Education
Welcome New Health Policy Division Chief
Dr. Michael Massa recently joined OYCR as the Division Chief for Health Policy. Dr. Massa has a wealth of experience in the field of education and health, particularly in supporting justice-involved youth. Prior to this new appointment, he was a contractor at OYCR serving as the Education Subject Matter Expert and consistently showcased his ability to conduct comprehensive needs assessments and develop strategic roadmaps, inclusive of crucial partnership connections, to enhance educational and health outcomes for justice-involved youth.
Dr. Massa’s previous experience as a Principal at Central Juvenile Hall and Coordinator for Juvenile Court School and Charter SELPA demonstrates his strong leadership skills and deep understanding of alternative education, curriculum development, and special education programs. He has successfully led compliance efforts with the Department of Justice and collaborated with various stakeholders to foster a supportive educational and health environment.
Dr. Massa’s dedication to breaking down silos between education, health and systems within juvenile justice settings and upon re-entry into the community, along with his commitment to trauma-informed care, social-emotional teaching, and a focus on improving educational opportunities for youth makes him an invaluable asset to CalHHS and OYCR. Dr. Massa holds an Associate's Degree from Laney College, a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from San Francisco State University, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and an EdD in K-12 Leadership in Urban School Settings from the University of Southern California.
Expanding Juvenile Court School Literacy Interventions Across California
The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) is proud to highlight the expansion of the Juvenile Court School Literacy Intervention, a program designed to strengthen the reading and academic success of students attending juvenile court schools.
Building on the promising outcomes of the pilot launched with the San Diego County Office of Education in the Youth Transition Campus, this evidence-based intervention has demonstrated measurable improvements in student literacy skills, engagement, and confidence. With these successes, OYCR is supporting the rollout of the program to Alameda County, where the initiative will provide youth with targeted, culturally responsive literacy instruction and individualized supports.
In addition to Alameda County, the Juvenile Court School Literacy Intervention will also be implemented in Riverside County and San Mateo County. By expanding this program, OYCR continues its commitment to advancing educational health as a cornerstone of youth justice reform—ensuring that every young person has the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive academically, socially, and developmentally.
OYCR Monthly Education Advisory Committee: Advancing Educational Health for Justice-Involved Youth
Each month, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) convenes its Education Advisory Committee, a space to ensure that young people impacted by the juvenile justice system are supported in reaching their educational and post-secondary goals.
Guided by the vision that every young person in the juvenile justice system is college material, the committee works to align the efforts of California’s public colleges and universities, Juvenile Probation Departments, County Offices of Education, and other stakeholders with OYCR’s mission of promoting educational health as a cornerstone of youth justice.
The committee’s work is centered on the following goals and strategies:
Expand Postsecondary Pathways: Ensure youth have access to multiple, flexible educational options, from community colleges to universities, vocational training, and career pathways.
Strengthen System Alignment: Build stronger connections among higher education institutions, probation departments, and county offices of education to Promote Educational Health: Prioritize the knowledge, skills, and supports needed for youth to succeed academically, socially, and developmentally.
Support Transition and Reentry: Develop coordinated approaches that smooth transitions from juvenile facilities into schools, colleges, and training programs.
Center Youth Potential: Uphold the belief that all young people can thrive in higher education and beyond, regardless of system involvement.
Through these strategies, the Education Advisory Committee advances OYCR’s mission to ensure that educational opportunity remains a powerful driver of equity, healing, and success for California’s youth.
If you would like to join the OYCR Education Advisory Committee meetings, please reach out to Michael M. Massa, Division Chief of the Health Policy Division – michael.massa@chhs.ca.gov
Help Open Doors to Careers: Encourage Young People to Apply for the DSP Internship Program
The Department of Developmental Services’ Direct Support Professional (DSP) Internship Program is a statewide initiative that helps people begin meaningful careers while filling critical workforce needs in California’s disability services community.
Partnerships with probation departments, reentry programs, and community organizations are essential to connecting motivated individuals—including those who are justice-involved, system impacted, or reentering the workforce—with this paid, three-month internship that can lead to a stable and rewarding job.
Why share this opportunity with the people you serve?
PAID internship: Wages are fully covered by the program for up to three months.
A pathway to a career: Interns get on-the-job experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to live full and independent lives.
Retention bonuses for new hires: If an intern is hired by the service provider, they can earn an additional $625 (before taxes) after 6 months and another $625 (before taxes) after 12 months—up to $1,250 extra for sticking with their new job.*
A role that matters: DSPs make a daily impact, supporting others while building their own future.
What the program has achieved so far
More than 300 interns have already been placed with service providers across California in the past year, and more than 120 have transitioned into regular, paid DSP positions.
This is a real chance for the people you support to begin careers in a field that offers steady work, growth opportunities, and purpose.
How your organization can help
We’re asking you to share this opportunity with the individuals you serve. It’s easy:
Spread the word—post flyers, mention the program in meetings, or share it during reentry planning.
Refer interested individuals to apply for the DSP Internship Program.
Our team at All’s Well will guide applicants through the next steps and help match them with a participating service provider.
Together, we can expand access to stable employment and build a stronger DSP workforce across California.
For more information or to request outreach materials for your organization, contact the DSP Internship Program staff at Workforce@dds.ca.gov.
* Interns must be enrolled by January 31, 2026, to qualify.
Webinars, Meetings & Events
OYCR Youth Justice Action Webinar Series
Why Inquiry Matters: Best Practices for Identifying Tribal Affiliation in Juvenile Justice
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | Noon to 1:00 pm PDT
This webinar focuses on the legal and ethical responsibility to inquire and investigate a youth’s possible tribal affiliation at the earliest point of contact. Participants will explore best practices and gain practical tools to ensure their work upholds the rights of Native youth their families and tribes and supports culturally responsive care.
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025 Time: 12:00-1:00pm
CalHHS Launched Webinar Series on Federal Policy Changes and California’s Response
The California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS) launched a new webinar series focused on recent federal policy changes in health and human services and how California is responding to ensure continued access to care.
The first webinar in the series addressed vaccine access and guidance, a timely topic as the state enters respiratory virus season. Under updated California law, health plans and insurance companies regulated by the state, including Medi-Cal, are required to continue covering routine immunizations recommended by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This includes vaccines for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Californians are encouraged to review CDPH’s vaccine recommendations and check with their health plan or insurer if they have questions about coverage. To schedule a vaccine appointment, individuals can contact their health care provider, visit a local pharmacy, or go to MyTurn.ca.gov.
The webinar featured insights from CalHHS Secretary Kim Johnson, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, and Department of Managed Health Care Director Mary Watanabe. Topics covered included public health updates, health plan coverage requirements, and Medi-Cal vaccine coverage. A full recording of the webinar and presentation slides are available for those who were unable to attend.
