​​The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is responsible for implementation of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Race Equity Framework through collaboration, strategic reforms, and agency capacity building. The office’s mission is to identify system opportunities to reduce racial and ethnic disparities that may exist in policies and practices, and collaborate with local partners to reduce such disparities.

OEI advances opportunities to promote equitable practices, inclusion, and racial healing to mitigate potentially adverse outcomes for families and youth of color affected by the youth justice system.

Equity Framework

OEI ensures equitable outcomes through implementation of the DJS Race Equity Framework​. The framework drives the agency's will, skill, and knowledge to operationalize principles of racial and ethnic equity in order to achieve and sustain results.

Inclusion

OEI leads the agency's response to the needs of youth and families through inclusiveness and outreach. Some ways OEI achieves this is through quarterly live streams with DJS leadership, webinars explaining aspects of the youth justice system, and a monthly support group for families experiencing different phases of the system.

Reforms

OEI coordinates agency reform efforts through implementation of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) with a statewide effort to reduce the unnecessary use of detention.