The National Association of Youth Courts, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) membership organization, serves as a central point of contact for youth court programs across the nation, providing informational services, delivering training and technical assistance, and developing resource materials on how to develop and enhance youth court programs in the United States.
We are dedicated to providing leadership for a restorative justice model of early intervention so that young people have access to services without formal processing in traditional juvenile justice systems.
Planning for the creation of NAYC began in 2005 with the specific purpose of establishing a private not-for-profit organization to represent and serve local, state and national youth court, teen court, peer court and student court efforts since this local grass-roots movement began a quarter of a century ago.
The official founding of the National Association of Youth Courts, Inc., in 2007, was supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools and Administration for Children, Youth and Families and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Why Join the National Association of Youth Courts, Inc.?
Like all professional organizations, Membership in NAYC allows for a gathering of intelligent, like-minded
professionals that are immersed in the inner workings of their Youth/Peer/Teen Court, providing Members
with access to a variety of opinions and ideas. Additional benefits of Membership include:
- Continuing Education: Membership in NAYC provides the opportunity to link up with other service
providers. Members will learn from their peers and share their own program's services. Members can take
advantage of mentoring relationships with experienced professionals who provide guidance and useful insights.
These relationships provide a source of answers and solutions when facing challenging situations in your
Youth/Peer/Teen court. The feeling that you have a support network behind you will boost your confidence
when challenges arise regarding funding, recruiting volunteers, etc.
- Professional Development: Membership can help you emerge as a community leader by expanding your
knowledge of the diverse services provided by Youth/Teen/Peer Courts across the U.S. Members are enabled to
educate stakeholders, not just about your agency/program services, but about other options for expanded
programming. Educating and interacting with the public about your program as well as others in the U.S.
will enhance your ability to familiarize your community about Youth/Peer/Teen Court nationally.
- Professional Credibility: Membership in NAYC demonstrates you understand the importance of professional
networking and that you are invested in restorative juvenile justice. Member meetings, our conferences and
virtual trainings are a great opportunity for meeting others and building your professional network.
- Collective Action: NAYC supports policy developments that impact Teen/Youth Courts throughout the country.
The accomplishments and participation of the agencies that make up membership in a professional organization
have a significant presence that exceeds that of individual members. Membership in NAYC enables you to
tap into and become part of the group’s potential to have an influence on youth diversion programs.
Joining the National Association of Youth Courts, Inc. is beneficial for professional development. The
connections and friendships you will make, the resources available to you, and the ideas and advice
you’ll discover, represent an outstanding return on what amounts to a modest investment of time, money,
and effort.