Strategic Plan

OJJ Strategic Plan 2024-2028

(Moving Reform Forward)

The Strategic Plan is a dynamic document that evolves as we continue to improve and expand services to youth and families. Creation of the Strategic Plan was overseen by national partners including the Missouri Division of Youth Services, the Missouri Youth Services Institute (MYSI), the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Stakeholder meetings were held across Louisiana to secure input from staff and community partners, to build a successful system for our youth and families.

The Strategic Plan is based upon the following initiatives

Safety First:

OJJ provides appropriate service and treatment opportunities in the least restrictive environment by fostering a therapeutic environment, identifying problem behaviors and increasing appropriate behaviors, increasing the number of youth who successfully reintegrate into our communities, and by establishing a quality workforce with increased opportunities for staff development. We believe that safety is the foundation and pre-requisite for effective treatment. Emphasis is placed on the safety of our staff as well as a safe environment for our youth, families, and communities.

Family Involvement:

OJJ provides opportunities throughout the continuum that focus on family involvement, providing aftercare services to families through community service coordination, and by fostering communication between staff and families.

Quality Seamless Continuum of Care:

OJJ has increased the range of regionalized quality treatment and service opportunities that meet youths’ needs, enhancing therapeutic relationships among staff, youth, and families. We have increased prevention, early intervention, and reintegration services for at-risk and delinquent youth in local school districts, and by increasing academic and vocational educational opportunities for our youth.

Community Involvement and Partnership:

OJJ has increased information sharing with stakeholders, increasing youth and staff participation in community activities, and has increased prevention, intervention and aftercare resources for youth in our communities, and provided technical assistance and program development that support OJJ’s beliefs and philosophies.

Data Driven Outcomes:

OJJ has developed and implemented uniform outcome measures for each program, increased youth, staff, provider, and stakeholder participation in quality assurance to ensure analysis of all outcome measures and developed a comprehensive strategy to foster interagency agreements. We utilize data to determine, anticipate, and respond appropriately to the needs of our youth, staff, stakeholders, and community partners.

The Strategic Plan encompasses performance and achievement measures that gauge the progress of our reform. The plan also includes the regionalization initiative which includes the six regional service areas.

The Strategic Plan facilitated development of the Service Coordination Model, which is transforming Louisiana’s current Juvenile Probation and Parole System. Development of this model was based on the beliefs that youth are equipped to become self-reliant and productive citizens, youth and families will become informed about available resources, youth and families are responsible for their decisions and actions, and staff help youth and families to efficiently and effectively utilize the resources of the juvenile justice system.