Certificate Program Courses and Fees

Foundations of Youth Development is a 6-hour online course, comprised of two separate three-hour sessions. The course will introduce the science of adolescent development, including normative cognitive, physical/neurological, social and emotional development, and the profound, pervasive and persistent effects of adverse childhood experiences on the developing brain. Participants will begin to understand milestones in adolescent development and how we learn as we enter adulthood, as well as the lingering effects of trauma and toxic stress, the predicting factors on youth outcomes in schools and communities, and possible trauma-informed responses that can improve outcomes across the systems influencing youth and families. Sessions will introduce strategies for conceptualizing and making decisions on prevention and/or intervention rooted in an understanding of normative and derailed youth development.

Foundations in Juvenile Justice is a 6-hour online course, comprised of two separate three-hour sessions. This course will address the history and current structure of the juvenile justice system, helping participants understand how youth move through the system in New Jersey and some of the important ways that juvenile justice is distinguished from criminal justice systems in our state and across the country. Participants will begin to gain perspective on changes to and surrounding New Jersey's system of juvenile justice, a shared vocabulary and understanding of the philosophies and theories underpinning juvenile justice reform, and knowledge about the legal and policy decisions that influence our work.

Engaging Youth and Families is a 6-hour online course that will present effective strategies for engaging youth and families who have become involved with the juvenile justice system and related systems of care. Participants will learn about both individual and organizational models for improving outreach, engagement, and retention of youth and families in services designed to reduce system involvement and improve youth outcomes, such as family counseling, intensive outpatient services, and psychiatric services. This course will also present information regarding the broad base of potential referral sources for youth and families looking to reduce their involvement in the justice system.

Cultural Humility in Juvenile Justice is a 6-hour online course, divided into two 3-hour sessions, that will address the importance of cultural competence and cultural humility. The definition of cultural competence has evolved over the years and trainings focused on cultural competence are more common than ever. Coupled with the respect for cultural and racial differences; is the need for discussions surrounding bias, implicit bias, microaggressions, diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Eliminating bias is critical within all systems. This course will introduce various analytical approaches for understanding the dynamics of cross-cultural interactions and is designed to develop cultural competency in decision-making and problem-solving. While utilizing activities, videos and readings, this course will emphasize the practical applications of cultural competency and humility and how cultural incompetence can impact equal access to justice.

The JJYD Capstone is a 6-hour online course, comprised of two separate three-hour sessions. This course is designed to tie together all of the competencies students have gained throughout their participation in the certificate program. It is open to all participants who have completed 8 or more courses (the four core courses and at least 4 out of 5 required electives). The course consists of a multifaceted assignment that will draw upon your experiences and knowledge gained throughout the program and include a presentation session in which students will share their Capstone Project with other participants.

This course examines the ways in which regulations and policies can be written to focus on the strengths of young people who are involved in the youth justice system. It highlights the agency/system values of uplifting youth despite them being adjudicated for delinquent behavior. Policies, procedures, laws, and regulations can be punitive and harsh in both language and outcome, OR they can be rehabilitative, strength-based, and grounded in the positive core values of the system/agency.  Ensuring the “language” of these policies and regulations reflects these core values is tantamount. Hence, stakeholders, youth, families, and communities know the system believes that young people are not defined by their behavior. Focusing on and bolstering youth strengths uplifts them, and helps all stakeholders see the value of each human, regardless of the action that brought them into the system.  This course benefits anyone interested in youth justice reform and those involved in decision-making around policies that serve to uplift and foster strengths of young people in the system.

Reentry for justice-involved youth is a challenge for every jurisdiction in our nation. In this course, participants will examine the research, effective evidence-based practices, diverse needs, area deficits, and programs specializing in reentry - specific to the needs of justice-involved adolescents. This course incorporates lectures, videos, interviews with subject matter experts, and short readings for discussion.

This course explores the complex issues surrounding youth gambling and gaming, including the risks, consequences, and prevention strategies.  Participants will examine the current research, trends, and best practices in addressing youth gambling and gaming, with a focus on developing effective prevention and intervention approaches.

This course focuses on both traditional and innovative approaches to youth violence prevention that utilize consistent principles found within existing best practices but are dynamic and adaptable across settings.  Furthermore, consideration is given to the socio-historical and cultural realities of those settings. Hear from the scholars and co-authors featured in the book The Future of Youth Violence Prevention: A Mixtape for Practice, Policy, and Research, who utilize applied practices and forward-thinking strategies in the substantive base of research and theory that has produced successful interventions across multiple disciplines. Students will learn specific evidence-based and longstanding approaches to intervention alongside newer, more novel strategies.

*Enrollment in Youth Violence Prevention I & II include a complimentary copy of The Future of Youth Violence Prevention: A Mixtape for Practice, Policy, and Research. One per person.

This course focuses on both traditional and innovative approaches to youth violence prevention that utilize consistent principles found within existing best practices but are dynamic and adaptable across settings.  Furthermore, consideration is given to the socio-historical and cultural realities of those settings. Hear from the scholars and co-authors featured in the book, The Future of Youth Violence Prevention: A Mixtape for Practice, Policy, and Research, who utilize applied practices and forward-thinking strategies in the substantive base of research and theory that has produced successful interventions across multiple disciplines. Students will learn the many ways in which the larger community can be engaged in the service of preventing youth violence, and cover "big picture" issues and ideas that set the stage for all of this work.

*Enrollment in Youth Violence Prevention I & II include a complimentary copy of The Future of Youth Violence Prevention: A Mixtape for Practice, Policy, and Research. One per person.

Trauma-informed care --- ensuring that services provided to system-involved youth acknowledge the many ways in which trauma affects health and well-being -- cannot be understated.

This 6-hour online course will consider the nature, forms, and impact of trauma experienced during childhood on adolescent adjustment and the many ways in which traumatic experiences can set a platform for problem behavior, delinquency, and justice involvement during adolescence. This course also will present current approaches to trauma-informed service delivery, with a focus on evidence-based interventions for justice-involved adolescents.