The Burns Institute works intensively with local jurisdictions to reduce the overrepresentation of youth of color in their juvenile justice systems. The BI model requires the active commitment and participation of the key traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in the juvenile justice system in each site -- including judges, prosecutors, public defenders, police, probation, school officials, political leaders, service providers and community groups. The BI leads these stakeholders through a data-driven, consensus-based process that focuses specifically and intentionally on reducing disproportionate minority confinement.

The Burns Institute has learned from its work in multiple sites that jurisdictions need the intentionality, focus and strategies that the BI provides in order to measurably reduce disproportionality. Without the BI intentionality, jurisdictions often lose momentum because of changes in stakeholders, inconsistent approaches and short attention spans. To ensure that sites stay focused, the BI has developed a BI Site Manual and BI Site Workbook to guide them through the process. The BI model calls for stakeholders to develop a work plan and to meet monthly to move the work plan forward. The model requires each site to hire a full-time local site coordinator to lead the process. In addition, a BI staff member is assigned to each site, attends all the local meetings and is constantly available for the local site coordinator and stakeholders to contact for technical assistance and guidance. Site coordinators from each of the BI sites meet twice yearly to compare best practices and are available year-round for consultation with one another.

To learn more about the Burns Institute Model for DMC Reduction click here.

To learn more about the range of services Burns Institute offers, click here.