I started my tenure here as the first Director of OYCR on January 17, 2022. I was the second person hired to launch what had never been launched before in California—a state government office focused solely on Youth Justice Reforms that would work towards sharing best and promising practices and offer technical assistance to counties and community partners to support better outcomes for incarcerated adolescents by realigning them closer to home in smaller congregate care locked facilities that provide for both accountability and access to family centered, culturally infused, gender honoring, positive youth development rehabilitation. SB 823 was based on sound data and research that showed that these intervention models create pathways to careers rather than to adult prisons.
We know that public safety is not compromised by providing strong supportive youth programming to incarcerated emerging adults. We do not have to give up one or the other. We can have both. Evidence also shows that communities are safer when adolescents get the help they need to be successful while at the same time being held accountable in locked facilities. This strategy allows adolescents to make amends to society and at the same time have access to programs that allow them to heal, change and evolve to become contributing members of society. Most adolescents, ages 12 to 17 who commit a law violation will return to their communities by the age of 25 because that is how our youth justice system is designed. It is possible that some 16- and 17-year-olds will be sent to Adult Criminal Court through a Transfer Hearing, however those cases have proven to be the exception over the last five years.
We have four divisions doing expansive work in each of their specialized workstreams: The Health Policy Division, The Research and Data Division, The Ombuds Division, and the Operations and Grants Division, which also houses the Community Partnership and Equity section. We oversee all Juvenile Justice Block Grants which includes the gathering and analysis of county plans to track how youth are being served locally. The Ombuds team fields hundreds of calls a month from youth, families and others to seek assistance when an issue for an incarcerated youth has been identified that they believe needs to be brought to the attention of that division. The OYCR bench is deep and our workstreams are robust.
Together with all of you, we have built the infrastructure imagined by SB823. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work as the first director of OYCR. I have met numerous people along the way that care deeply about helping our young people to succeed: probation officers, educators, mental health providers, advocates, credible messengers, librarians, nurses, policy makers, community organizers, and many others. My hope is that I will continue to see the work of OYCR flourish, that partnerships will strengthen, communities will continue to be safer, restorative justice programs will allow victims to feel that they have been made whole, and youth and their families will be averted off the pipeline of incarceration and onto achieving their dreams—which benefits all of us.
Judge Katherine Lucero (ret.) Director
Office of Youth and Community Restoration California Health & Human Services Agency
Correction
OYCR newsletter staff would like to apologize to Napa County Probation Chief Amanda Gibbs and her staff for a mistake in the August 2026 Newsletter. At the top of a story highlighting Napa County’s Skyline Academy a picture from the July 2026 OYCR newsletter was inadvertently shared. The August 2026 newsletter available on the OYCR website does not contain the erroneous photo. Thank you to Napa County Probation for their understanding in this matter.
Youth Spotlight
Juan of Santa Maria is showing what is possible when young people are provided with opportunity, encouragement, and a community that believes in their potential. After experiencing involvement in the juvenile justice system, Juan persevered in his education, earned his high school diploma, and was recently recognized by the Santa Barbara County Education Office (SBCEO) as the recipient of the Joe Howell Legacy Scholarship.
The scholarship honors former SBCEO Board member Joe Howell, who spent 25 years championing students in Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS). Howell made it a tradition to write a personalized letter to every JCCS graduate, drawing from each student's graduation essay to recognize their individual accomplishments and encourage them as they moved forward.
Juan was recently recognized during an SBCEO Board meeting for his academic achievement, perseverance, and commitment to building a successful future.
OYCR also would like to recognize Rene Wheeler, Director of Juvenile Court and Community Schools at SBCEO, whose leadership and partnership continue to strengthen educational opportunities for justice-involved youth. Rene has been a tremendous partner to OYCR and a dedicated advocate for ensuring JCCS students are supported, recognized, and connected to opportunities for continued success.
CBO Spotlight
Building a Strong Foundation for Reentry: Tools for Tomorrow
OYCR is proud to highlight Reliable Connections and its Tools for Tomorrow program, which is helping justice-impacted young people establish the foundation needed for successful reentry and long-term independence.
Tools for Tomorrow is the first stage of Reliable Connections’ reentry model and currently houses 17 participants. The program focuses on the immediate challenges young people face when returning to the community, providing structure, guidance, case management, and hands-on assistance as participants begin building stability after incarceration.
A key part of the program is removing practical barriers that can stand in the way of independence. During their first 30 days, participants begin working toward obtaining a driver’s permit and license, with support navigating studying, documentation, appointments, testing, and other barriers. Participants are also connected to employment, vocational training, education, or career pathways based on their individual interests, abilities, and long-term goals. Rather than focusing simply on obtaining a temporary job, Tools for Tomorrow emphasizes building sustainable career pathways that can ultimately allow young people to support themselves and their families.
The early outcomes are encouraging. Across Reliable Connections' 30 current participants, 28 have obtained at least a driver's permit, 22 are employed full-time, and four recently completed a certified welding training program and are preparing to pursue careers in the welding industry.
OYCR also recognizes Director of Reentry, Chris Wedel for being an exceptional partner and for his tremendous dedication to young people. His commitment to creating opportunities, removing barriers, and ensuring young people have meaningful support as they return to their communities exemplifies the value of strong community-based partnerships.
OYCR celebrates Chris, Reliable Connections, and the Tools for Tomorrow program for investing in young people and helping create pathways from reentry to opportunity, stability, and independence.
LRP Spotlight
Preparing for Independence: Responsibility House
Responsibility House supports justice-impacted young people who have achieved greater stability and are ready to take the next step toward independent living.
Responsibility House currently serves 12 participants. At this stage of reentry, the focus shifts from returning to the community to developing the skills and resources necessary to successfully live independently. All 12 participants are employed, have obtained their driver's licenses, and have reliable transportation.
Participants gain practical experience with budgeting, saving money, managing rent and household expenses, maintaining employment, planning for emergencies, managing transportation costs, and making responsible independent decisions. The program is intentionally designed to prepare young people for the myriad of responsibilities that come with living on their own.
The goal extends beyond successful participation in the program. Young people are working toward leaving Responsibility House with stable employment, reliable transportation, savings, financial literacy, and the ability to obtain and maintain their own housing.
Voices of Youth Justice
Voices of Youth Justice: What Gives Us Hope for the Future
“When we have communities and a broader spectrum of services and resources, youth don’t have to go through what I went through.” —Carlos Cervantes, Director of Community and Reentry Partnerships at the Anti-Recidivism Coalition
Despite the challenges facing California’s youth justice system, hope continues to fuel the people leading change. Across the state, young people, community leaders, probation officers, and advocates are working together to build a more humane, equitable, and effective system rooted in care, opportunity, and community.
Read the full blog to hear from youth justice leaders, practitioners, and partners across California about what gives them hope for the future. Their reflections highlight the resilience of young people, the strength of communities, and the progress happening across the state.
News and Updates
Two-week community muralist program
The Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) recently sponsored a two-week Community Muralist Program in Klamath, California, in partnership with the Yurok Tribe and Klamath community. The intensive program was led by internationally recognized artist Claudia Bernardi. The muralists used the theme of addiction to recovery and included components of wellness, wholeness, health, nature, the Klamath River, whole healthy traditional foods, natural ways of healing, proper rest as well as Yurok community, language and ceremony.
The program was held August 24–September 5, 2026, at the Yurok Tribe Headquarters Community Room in Klamath. The event was offered at no cost to participants, with art materials, breakfast, and lunch provided daily.
The program created an opportunity for young adults age 18 and older from Humboldt and Klamath Counties. Claudia Bernardi spent time each day instructing the muralists on what they need to know to become muralists in their own lives, to be community artists in our community, surrounding tribes, schools and towns.
Juvenile cases have no impact on voting rights, ever!
Voter Registration Deadline: October 19, 2026
For youth who are inside a juvenile facility, the Probation Department is required to identify voting-eligible youth and assist with registration. (Elec. Code § 2105.7)
Young people in California can vote if they are:
A U.S. citizen and CA resident 18 years old or older on Election Day (11/3/26)
Not currently in a state or federal prison for an adult felony conviction
Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court
Register Now for the California Youth Justice Summit
Heal the Past, Pave the Future: Watering the Seed from Youth Voice to Vision
San Diego Marriott La Jolla - October 5-7, 2026
The 2026 California Youth Justice Summit brings together leaders, practitioners, community organizations, and multidisciplinary partners committed to improving outcomes for youth across California. Register now.
