A Community-Academic Collaboration to Reduce Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Juvenile Justice System

This article outlines a community-academic collaboration to mobilize government and community agencies to take strategic actions that will contribute to a reduction of disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system in Guilford County, North Carolina. Since July 2004, a cohesive, representative, and action-oriented committee (including representatives from local law enforcement agencies, the school system, departments of social services, mental health and public health, the district court, nonprofit organizations, and parents of courtinvolved youth) has executed Guilford County’s DMC Planning Grant. A Project Management Team based at University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Center for Youth, Family, and Community Partnerships has served as the central convening, organizing, and planning arm for the project.