Recommendations of the LGBT Subcommittee: Advancing the Reform Process for LGBQ/GNCT Youth in the Juvenile Justice System, Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. DOJ (2017)

These recommendations from the LGBT subcommittee (the subcommittee) of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) provide actions the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) can take to support state and local juvenile justice reform to better serve lesbian, gay, bisexual, questioning, gender nonconforming, and transgender (LGBQ/GNCT) youth. The recommendations are based on data demonstrating that family rejection, homelessness, failed safety nets, school discipline policies, and discriminatory policing often lead to LGB/GNCT youth entering the juvenile justice system.

Key recommendations include issuing federal practice guidelines to address the needs of LGBQ/GNCT youth, including: 

1. providing all youth with information regarding supportive age-appropriate materials and information regarding sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE), and referrals to supportive services and pro-social opportunities within the community; and 
2. providing pre-employment and ongoing cultural competency training to all juvenile justice stakeholders that includes accurate information about SOGIE and the ethical and professional duty of service-providers to protect the safety and promote the well-being of LGBQ/GNCT youth.

OJJDP has yet to act on these recommendations or propose any plan for action.