The Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare: Multi-System Integration Certificate Program for Public Sector Leaders conducted by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University's Public Policy Institute is a weeklong program of intensive study designed for those who want to improve outcomes for crossover youth by improving multi-systems integration and collaboration among public agencies and other key partners. The Certificate Program focuses on policies, programs and practices related to crossover youth (children and youth who are known to multiple systems of care, particularly juvenile justice and child welfare).

The purpose of the Certificate Program for Public Sector Leaders is to bring together current and future leaders in public agencies to increase their knowledge about multi-system reform efforts related to crossover youth, improve the operation of their organizations in serving this population, provide an opportunity for the development of collaborative leadership skills, and create a mutually supportive network of individuals across the country committed to systems reform.

Previously referred to as the Certificate Program for Individuals, the Certificate Program for Public Sector Leaders requires participants to develop a Capstone Project. The Capstone Project is a set of actions each participant will design to initiate or continue multi-systems reform efforts during the twelve-month period following the completion of their Certificate Program session. After the Capstone Project is developed and approved by Georgetown University, participants receive an Executive Certificate from the university and are offered technical assistance from faculty to aid in the implementation of their project. Additionally, alumni of the Certificate Program become part of the CJJR Fellows Network. For information on past participant experiences, please visit the Testimonials page.

In the past, the Center offered a Certificate Program for Individuals and one for Teams. These two programs are now combined as one program and maintain the same curriculum and focus as the previous ones. Instead of completing a Capstone Project, participants in the Certificate Program for Teams (2008) were responsible for undertaking small tests of change in their jurisdiction using the Breakthrough Series Collaborative methodology. That work has now been completed and has informed the further development of the curriculum for the Certificate Program and the creation of a Practice Model for crossover youth. While there is now no Certificate Program focused specifically on teams, applicants are encouraged to apply with others from their jurisdiction to bring a “mini-team” to the program.

Please see the links to the right for more information about the Certificate Program for Public Sector Leaders, including how to apply for the upcoming program.