The National Juvenile Defender Center has announced the creation of the Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network (JIDAN), an initiative to promote change that enhances and strengthens juvenile indigent defense systems. The Network, funded through the MacArthur Foundation's Models for Change, will respond to the critical need to build the capacity of the juvenile defense bar and to improve access to counsel and quality of representation for youth involved in the justice system. State entities, organizations and collaborations with a designated fiscal agent, law school clinical programs, nonprofit law centers and other organizations are eligible to apply. Qualified applicants will demonstrate statewide support and the ability to build momentum for reform.
Entities from four new partner states will be selected to join the existing Models for Change states and will together form a structured Network. Participation in JIDAN will yield significant benefits to the four new partner states including funding of up to $100,000 for one year to support juvenile indigent defense reform efforts (with additional funding likely), structured collaboration with seven other states working on similar issues and access to the latest developments, information and new training materials.
Interested parties can download an application packet, which includes detailed information about the Network, on the NJDC website at by clicking www.NJDC.info Completed applications must be sent, by hard copy and in duplicate, no later than Friday, June 6, 2008. NJDC will post the selected grant recipients on their website. Additional questions can be directed to: Rey Banks, NJDC Senior Policy and Communications Associate, at rbanks@njdc.info or 202.452.0010.
