Role of JAJCF

The Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation was created to refocus public attention on one of Cook County's pioneering institutions, the Cook County Juvenile Court, and to restimulate public concern and investment in ensuring effective public systems to address the needs of abused and neglected children, youth accused of delinquent offenses and their victims, families, and communities.

The experience of the JAJCF suggests that a small, proactive private foundation working closely with the Court, its leadership and stakeholders, is in a uniquely effective position to serve as a catalyst for change.  The prestige of the Foundation's Board of Directors brings key players to the table; its independence from the Court allows for a free flow of ideas unencumbered by political concerns; and the potential of private funds greatly expands the concept of what is possible.

On a day-to-day basis, JAJCF works with stakeholders to move beyond traditional obstacles by: 1) identifying key barriers to Court and system effectiveness; 2) identifying and sharing relevant research findings and practices from other jurisdictions; 3) working with Court leadership and others to convene key parties within and outside the Court to craft strategies for change; and 4) leveraging grant support to mobilize additional public and private resources to implement these strategies.

Throughout this process, a key role of the JAJCF is to ensure that a broad range of stakeholders are given an opportunity to share their perspective as we all work to create more effective systems for meeting the complex needs of children, families, and communities.

After a year-long strategic planning process, the JAJCF is now working with Court leadership and representatives from all major, relevant public agencies, to bring this shared vision of more effective systems to reality.  It is the firm belief and experience of JAJCF that, by working in a spirit of partnership and trust with Court and other public systems' leaders, community service providers, and their constituent communities, we can all rise to a higher standard of service and effectiveness for our country's  most troubled and troubling families.