New York state lawmakers are including the Youth Justice Innovation Fund in their 2027 budget proposals.
The program would use existing Raise the Age funds for community-based organizations providing services for people ages 12-25, including school support, employment and internship assistance and mental health counseling as ways to reduce youth incarceration.
Chantal Hinds, senior policy manager for the Children’s Defense Fund of New York, said it is challenging for community groups to access the money.
“It is going to be highly dependent on the local politics and priorities in a particular area,” Hinds explained. “To highlight this idea of smaller CBOs, they may not have the access, visibility or awareness to get to the county executives who are making the determinations.”
A state comptroller’s report found a third of more than $1 billion in Raise the Age funding was spent. Less than 20% was spent on community-based services, with most going to youth detention. Lawmakers are divided on how much to put in the fund. The Senate is allocating the fund’s entire $50 million cost but the Assembly is only committing to $20 million.
Feedback on the proposal from state lawmakers and many groups has been positive but there have been questions about the 12-25 age range for the Youth Justice Innovation Fund. Hinds pointed out the numbers are not arbitrary.
“When you look at the brain science of the developing adolescent brain, those parts of the brain that regulate impulse control and things of that nature are not fully developed until after someone turns 25,” Hinds underscored.
Beyond bolstering alternatives to incarceration, Hinds stressed, the funding can help address the post-pandemic youth mental health crisis. Reports show some community centers statewide are closing due to funding cuts or administrative issues. Hinds noted the money is important since the social-emotional outlets help young people thrive.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.