Models For Change In Louisiana

A project of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The Models for Change (MfC) is an initiative of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. MfC seeks to accelerate the pace of juvenile justice reform in targeted states, creating replicable models for other states to emulate.

In 2005, Louisiana was chosen as the third of four model states (along with Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Washington). Within Louisiana, six sites have been chosen: Caddo, Calcasieu, Jefferson, and Rapides Parishes, as well as the 4th Judicial District (Ouachita and Morehouse), and the 16th Judicial District (Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary).

Up to $10 million in grants will be awarded over a five-year period to support juvenile justice reform in Louisiana. The reform efforts in Louisiana will focus primarily on bringing about change in three areas: expanding alternatives to formal processing and incarceration; increasing access to evidence-based services; and reducing disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system.
The model programs in each state and site vary by designÛaccording to the unique histories, conditions and needs in the sites in which it seeks to stimulate and assist juvenile justice reform. This diversity of settings and approaches makes it more likely that Models for Change will be capable of yielding broadly applicable lessons for the field.

The Louisiana Public Defender Board is collaborating in each of the six model districts as well as at the state level to develop programs which institute evidence-based programs and support juvenile justice reform statewide.

Click here to learn more about Models for Change in Louisiana