JLARC: Transferring Virginia—s juvenile justice agency to HHR would not guarantee better services, could risk public-safety focus

The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission staff presented findings that transferring the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice from the Public Safety secretariat to the Health and Human Resources secretariat would not by itself ensure better access to services for court‑involved youth and could compromise DJJ—s public‑safety mission.

Britney Utz, who led JLARC—s study, said, "DJJ already provides a range of rehabilitative services to youth which are similar to HHR services and reportedly more accessible." The study team described DJJ—s regional service coordinator (RSC) model and said it has expanded provider networks and emphasized timely delivery of services.

Why this matters: the proposal to move DJJ was prompted by advocates who contend alignment under HHR could improve access to behavioral‑health and social services for youth. JLARC—s review combined interviews with current and former secretaries and agency directors, DJJ staff, public defenders and…