Systems Change Work
FLY’s systems change work improves systems, policies, & practices, affecting youth impacted by the justice system at local & state levels.
Leveraging more than 20 years of partnering closely with youth and the systems that impact them, FLY is in a unique position to support efforts to bring about positive, equitable, and lasting change.
FLY youth impacted by the justice system are part of developing innovative solutions.
FLY comes together with diverse stakeholders to realize the common goal that all youth be valued, supported, and able to live healthy, free, and productive lives.
Youth Policy Fellowship
The Youth Policy Fellowship is a new 10 month Jan-Oct paid Fellowship opportunity for FLY youth and alumni. Fellows will have the chance to learn about and participate in policy-making, advocacy, and community organizing while lending their unique perspectives to help influence and guide FLY’s policy priorities.
For more information contact: colin@flyprogram.org
Reducing and eliminating youth incarceration through transitioning to a community-based system of care aimed at wrapping support around youth using a strengths-based and culturally responsive approach.
Divesting from policing to reduce system contact for individuals who can be more effectively served through reinvesting in community and public health services thereby responding to the public safety needs of all members of the community.
Aligning the age of criminal responsibility with cognitive development science that says the brain does not fully develop until the late twenties and providing more resources to young adults during this vulnerable transition time.
Eliminating justice system policies and practices that create and perpetuate poverty, inequity, and lack of access to civic engagement.
Reforming school policies and practices that perpetuate the school-to-prison pipeline and creating equitable pathways to post-secondary education for youth impacted by the justice system.
Contact for more information
For more information, email systemschange@flyprogram.org
Current Legislative Priorities
2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021
FLY will support legislation or priority setting by state or local government agencies to effect policy and practice for the betterment of young people.
Check out Evelyn FLY Alum and Staff member
advocating for AB 2629!
8 Passed/ 5 MOVED FORWARD
In 2023 8 of FLY’s Legislative Priorities were signed into Law! 5 were moved forward to be 2 year bills!
9/10
In 2022 9/10 of FLY’s Legislative Priorities were signed into Law!
CURRENT CO-SPONSORED BILLS
AB 1186
Takes a first step in reforming California’s broken youth restitution system by eliminating restitution fines for youth and clearing debt from restitution fines and restitution collection fees that are older than ten years for youth and adults.
Click Here to share about the Repair Act on Social Media!
View all current legislative priorities
SB 1057
Would help California fully realize the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act’s vision of providing collaborative, restorative, community-based services for young people by ensuring equitable representation and decision-making within county oversight bodies, called Juvenile Justice Coordinating Councils.
Board of State and Community Corrections Advocacy
In 2022, the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) began a process to revise the Juvenile Title 15 and 24 Regulations. These are the minimum standards that probation must follow when running a locked facility for youth. FLY’s youth have been actively involved since the beginning of the process, creating this report and advocating for stronger standards to protect youths’ rights to education, end the use of chemical weapons against kids, improve the quality of food and hygiene products, increase access to mental health care, and much more!
PAST Advocacy VICTORIES
SB 448
The Equity for Youth in Detention Act was signed into law in 2023 and requires that youth detained in a county outside of their county of residence must receive the same consideration for the least restrictive alternatives to detention that are given to youth who are detained in their county of residence.
AB 2629
Signed into law in 2022, this bill makes record dismissals more readily available to youth by providing additional guidance to juvenile court judges on when to grant a dismissal. This type of dismissal will allow youth access to a wider range of employment opportunities, especially those requiring a federal background check.
educational articles
Take ACtion
You can take action to advance youth justice! You can support and advocate for change in many ways.
Sharing information to raise awareness
Calling your local representative
Making public comments at the local or state level