The Youth First Initiative seeks to end youth incarceration and increase investments in communities and in opportunities for youth to thrive. We frequently receive questions about what types of programs could be part of a continuum of care that does not rely on harmful youth prisons. The below programs are just a few examples of the many community-based initiatives serving youth across the country. Costs per participant, where available, are shared as a contrast to the high costs of youth incarceration, which can exceed $250,000 annually for one young person. We encourage you to reach out directly to any of the programs listed here, and to identify similar programs in your own community.
