Dual-system or crossover youth—those involved in both the child welfare and youth justice systems—face a unique set of challenges that significantly impact their development and well-being. These adverse outcomes are rooted in broader systemic barriers and inefficiencies. Many youth-serving systems—including child welfare, youth justice, education, and behavioral health—tend to operate in silos, making coordination of care for youth involved in multiple systems difficult, and often lack the trauma-informed, holistic care that meets these youth’s complex behavioral and emotional needs.
Given these complexities, a coordinated, cross-system approach is essential. Leaders and practitioners from child welfare, youth justice, family court, education, behavioral health, and other youth serving sectors must develop a shared understanding of the challenges these youth face and the opportunities for system transformation. Collaboration across systems is critical as jurisdictions continue to grapple with fragmented services, communication gaps, and inequities that disproportionately affect these youth.
In response to the challenges, the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University has developed the Reducing Crossover by Advancing Collaboration (RCAC) Certificate Program. Built upon the successful Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare: Multi-System Integration Certificate Program previously offered by CJJR, this program provides attendees a structured opportunity to enhance their knowledge, leadership skills, and collaborative strategies to better serve dual-system/crossover youth. Designed for multidisciplinary teams and individuals working with dual-system/crossover youth, the Reducing Crossover by Advancing Collaboration Certificate Program equips participants with the tools necessary to design, implement, and sustain cross-system transformation efforts.
This program is not limited to those just beginning to collaborate across systems. Communities currently engaging in cross-system work can also benefit, using this Certificate Program to refine their strategies, strengthen partnerships, and build on existing initiatives. Through a blend of expert-led workshops, collaborative activities, and applied learning exercises, participants deepen their understanding of the systemic changes needed to improve outcomes for dual-system/crossover youth and their families, regardless of their starting point.
Curriculum
The Reducing Crossover by Advancing Collaboration Certificate Program is designed to support jurisdictions in transforming the way they serve dual-system/crossover youth—those who are involved in both the child welfare and youth justice systems. The program emphasizes the importance of developing a coordinated, trauma-responsive, and equitable approach to working with these youth, ensuring that policies and practices address the unique needs of those who navigate multiple systems of care. The curriculum is grounded in principles of collaboration, community involvement, and systemic change, aiming to break down silos and improve outcomes for youth and families.
Throughout the program, participants will engage in interactive, case-based learning, applying the knowledge gained to real-world situations they are likely to encounter in their own jurisdictions. The content is designed to address the full spectrum of challenges faced by dual-system/crossover youth—from prevention, to early system involvement, to reentry—ensuring that strategies for cross-system collaboration, trauma-informed care, and equity are integrated at every stage. The program emphasizes that achieving successful outcomes for dual-system/crossover youth requires a holistic, collaborative response, where the child welfare, youth justice, education, law enforcement, and behavioral health sectors work together seamlessly.
This module provides participants with a comprehensive overview of the unique characteristics and challenges faced by dual-system/crossover youth. Through a trauma-informed perspective, participants will explore the impacts of abuse, neglect, and systemic instability on these youth as well as how to build effective, trauma-responsive practices and policies. The module will also examine the disparities among multisystem youth, with a focus on the overrepresentation of youth of color, LGBTQ+ youth, and youth involved in Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), as well as the systemic factors that contribute to these inequities. By understanding the complexities of trauma, disparities, and system experiences, participants will be better equipped to design more coordinated, equitable, and developmentally appropriate interventions for crossover youth. Sessions may include:
Navigating the System Experiences of Crossover Youth
Understanding and Building Trauma-Responsive Practices
Multi-level coordination is vital for supporting crossover youth. This module focuses on strategies for building strong interagency partnerships and improving communication across systems, ensuring that youth receive the comprehensive care and support they need. Through breakout groups, participants will explore effective court practices, data- and information-sharing strategies, as well as infrastructure and case practice coordination to improve youth outcomes. Sessions may include:
Best Practices in Court Systems: Trauma-Responsive Approaches and Effective Court Models
Effective Information and Data Sharing Strategies
Developing Shared Visions and Coordinated Case Management Processes Across Systems
This module addresses the importance of prevention and offers strategies for sustaining of cross-system collaboration efforts. Participants will learn how to implement policies and practices that not only address the immediate needs of crossover youth but also create long-term, systemic change. The module will focus on building agencies’ capacity to drive lasting cross-system collaboration and ensuring that interventions are evidence-informed and outcome-driven. Sessions may include:
Building Sustainable and Coordinated Systems of Care
Developing Proactive Prevention Strategies
Program Benefits
Participants in the program will receive Instruction from national experts on cutting edge ideas, policies, and practices from across the country, and involvement in an interactive and dynamic learning environment with individuals from across the country who share a common interest in enhancing their system transformation efforts. Teams and individual will also receive guidance on how to use their learning to develop an action plan (Capstone Project) and lead system transformation efforts in their organizations, communities, and professions. This includes one-on-one technical assistance on the Capstone Project from national experts.
Outside of these technical training and assistance benefits, individuals will receive an Executive Certificate from the prestigious Georgetown University, priority to attend future programs, symposia, and forums sponsored by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, an ongoing support from staff of the Center, CJJR Fellows, and CYPM alumni.
After participants complete the Certificate Program and develop a Capstone Project, they are inducted into the CJJR Fellows Network and the CYPM Alumni group. The Fellows Network is composed of the alumni of CJJR’s Certificate Programs whose Capstone Projects have been approved by CJJR. Since 2008, CJJR has welcomed over 2,000 individuals into the CJJR Fellows Network. The Fellows Network is designed to support the development of current and future leaders working to improve outcomes for youth known to multiple systems of care, including youth justice, child welfare, education, behavioral health, and others. Fellows Network participants stay connected through online tools so they can share knowledge and expertise, discuss reform agendas, and identify resources. Fellows also have access to the Fellows Network Website, which provides information on past and present Capstone Projects as well as other resources to help jurisdictions move their reform efforts forward.
Alumni of the CYPM are invited to join a network of over 120 counties in 23 states across the United States, all of which have implemented the Crossover Youth Practice Model. CYPM alumni are provided access to an internal website that houses an extensive library of resources relating to crossover youth, including (but not limited to): current research and trends experienced by youth who are dually-involved; webinars, videos, publications, and other mediums created by CJJR that are specific to crossover youth and CYPM communities; and a collection of materials developed by CYPM jurisdictions in their implementation of the Crossover Youth Practice Model. These materials include training curriculums, evaluations and quality assurance tools, example information sharing documents, CYPM protocols developed by communities, and much more. The CYPM Alumni group is encouraged to connect with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at any time to discuss challenges, brainstorm solutions, and become connected with peers who may assist in furthering their CYPM efforts.
Application Guidelines
Applications will open in January, and be accepted via Submittable. In order to apply to the Certificate Program, you will be required to create a Submittable account. Once you have created an account, you will be asked to provide your Contact Information, Demographic Information, Professional Biography, and Personal Statement. Additionally, if you have been designated to submit essay responses on behalf of your team, you will be prompted to upload your essay responses via Word document (i.e., each team is asked to submit just one set of essay responses).
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025 (in the applicant’s local time zone). Please check back here in early 2025 to download the full Request for Applications packet. In the meantime, you can learn more about the application criteria and the program below, or if you have any questions please email Amber Farn at amber.farn@georgetown.edu
The Reducing Crossover by Advancing Collaboration Certificate Program will be held from May 6-8, 2025 at Georgetown University’s Capitol Hill campus building in Washington, D.C. The program begins with an opening brunch on Tuesday, May 6 and concludes in the early afternoon on Thursday, May 8. Participants must commit to attend the full program in-person.
The tuition for this program is $3,000 per person. Tuition does not include travel, hotel, or incidental expenses, which are the responsibility of each participant. Breakfast and lunch are provided at the program each day. The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform will provide a room block at a local hotel within walking distance from where the training will be held. Participants will, however, be responsible for hotel expenses and making their individual reservations. More information will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
If you wish to apply for a tuition subsidy, you must complete the Statement of Financial Need section on the Submittable application, indicating the specific amount that you are requesting and any attempts you have made to identify funding sources that could support your participation. There are a limited number of tuition subsidies available through CJJR’s Janet Reno Scholarships. These competitive scholarships of up to $1,000 per person will be provided to teams that show a heightened readiness to utilize the curriculum to undertake changes in their local community, as determined by CJJR’s review of the individual and team applicants.
This program is designed for individuals and teams working in the youth justice, child welfare, and related youth-serving systems (e.g., education, law enforcement, healthcare, the community) who are positioned to affect meaningful transformation to support youth involved in multiple systems of care.
Applications from multidisciplinary teams, including those previously or currently engaged in cross-system collaboration, will receive greater preference and higher priority in the selection process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as a team of up to 10 people to increase their capacity to implement reforms upon completion of the Certificate Program. This program is NOT accepting applications from students who do not also hold a professional role in a child serving organization.
When building a team, we strongly recommend considering the following roles:
A senior youth justice administrator in the jurisdiction (e.g., chief juvenile probation officer, the regional director of juvenile justice, or other individuals with responsibility to oversee the provision of youth justice services and supervision)
A senior child welfare administrator in the jurisdiction
Managers, supervisors, and/or direct service staff in youth justice and/or child welfare agencies
A juvenile and/or family court judge
Attorneys (e.g., defense attorneys, prosecutors)
A law enforcement leader, such as a chief of police or deputy chief in charge of matters pertaining to youth
A CASA or guardian ad litem
An education representative (e.g., a leader from the local school district or educational advocacy group)
A young person or family representative who has personal experience with the youth justice and/or child welfare system
A community-based organization leader (e.g., someone who is viewed as a leader among the CBO community and is committed to cross-system collaboration)
Please note that CJJR places special emphasis on ensuring that the voices of youth, families, and community members inform and contribute to system transformation efforts. Accordingly, the strongest applicants will ensure that youth, families, and community partners are members of the core team.
More Information
As part of the Certificate Program, participants are required to develop and implement a Capstone Project during the twelve-month period following the completion of their Certificate Program session.
The primary goal of all of our Certificate Programs is not simply knowledge, but effective implementation in a local reform effort. We study “what works” and collaborate with leaders to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
