Youth with disabilities are over-represented in our nation's juvenile justice system.

ADAP works to ensure that youth with disabilities involved in the juvenile justice system have their disability needs met and their rights protected.

We:

  • Monitor in juvenile detention and correction facilities 
  • Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect against youth in such settings 
  • Provide technical assistance to families and to attorneys and advocates assisting youth with disabilities involved in the juvenile justice system, particularly to identify community services in lieu of placement. 

Resources

The study recommends "right-sizing" the number of correctional beds and investing resources into an expansion of DYS's grant program for diversion and reentry services for girls. The report was underwritten with support by ADAP, the Center for Public Representation and the Southern Poverty Law Center under a generous grant from the Public Welfare Foundation, an organization dedicated to ensuring fundamental rights and opportunities for people in need.