The mission of the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group is to advise and make recommendations to state policy makers and to promote effective system level responses that further the goals of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Youth Awards (Scholarship): Paul K. Vestal Jr. Award
Like most states and territories, Maine is an active participant in the national juvenile justice initiative. The purpose of the initiative is to help states craft effective responses to the problems of juvenile crime and violence.
As part of this initiative, Maine receives funds to improve its juvenile justice system. The Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group was established in response to the federal Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, which was reauthorized as the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act Reauthorization 2018 or Redline Version.
The Maine Department of Corrections acts as the JJAG's administrative and fiscal agent. Maine JJAG oversees the state's participation in the federal juvenile justice initiative.
The JJAG's priorities are guided by its three year plan. The plan provides the framework for JJAG's course of action in terms of funding priorities, research directions, and legislative policy. The JJAG's current strategic three year plan can be found under "JJAG Reports" below.
For additional information about JJAG please contact Linda Barry-Potter, Juvenile Justice Specialist