History of the Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission
Idaho has participated in the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act since it's inception in 1974. The Commission was first housed in the Department of Law Enforcement, under the Law Enforcement Planning Commission. In 1979, a group of concerned Idaho citizens and agency representatives met to begin planning for effective, efficient services for Idaho's children and youth. The Governor authorized the group's mission, the Idaho Planning Committee for children and Youth Services. In 1981, the responsibility was transferred to the Governor's office and in 1984 renamed the Commission for Children and Youth.
In 1995, the responsibility for the administration of the JJDP Act was transferred to the new Department of Juvenile Corrections. This change provided the Commission, Idaho's State Advisory Group, the opportunity to become an interal part of Idaho's juvenile justice system.
The Commission and Department of Juvenile Corrections strive to make Idaho a place where all children can grow up in safe communities and have the opportunity to be productive, contributing citizens.