Community-Based Programs

LSJA begins in the heart of local neighborhoods, delivering innovative, cost-effective, scalable programs that address the social determinants of health—such as employment, education and mental well-being—that often lead to justice involvement. Co-designing with national experts and youth, LSJA developed Transformative Justice. This proprietary, evidence-based deflection model uses developmentally appropriate interventions to reduce incarceration and recidivism, improve youth outcomes, and offer cost-effective alternatives to jail or probation. Transformative Justice programs utilize multidisciplinary teams to identify and address young people’s medical, mental health, educational, housing and income needs, creating coordinated, cross-system support.

LSJA employs the Transformative Justice Model, an evidence-based model for all of our community-based programs. The model operates upon five asset-focused principles:

  1. Young people are adaptable and amenable to change.
  2. Decision-making should be individualized and informed by developmentally appropriate assessments.
  3. Case management should be trauma-informed, relationship-driven and delivered directly within communities of support.
  4. Participants should be engaged in their community and connected to resources and opportunities for civic engagement.
  5. Program managers should measure performance and create outcome-focused feedback loops, specifically including the voices of individuals being served.

LSJA provides more than just a training program—it’s a comprehensive approach to helping young adults impacted by the justice system build successful careers and futures. Each participant is paired with an LSJA case manager who provides personalized, 1-to-1 support throughout the program, connecting them to community resources and guiding them every step of the way. But LSJA doesn’t stop there—it also equips employers with the tools to create supportive, effective work environments for justice-involved employees.

Through LSJA’s Employer Training, businesses learn how to foster positive, productive relationships with young employees. This training covers adolescent brain development, Trust-Based Relationship Interventions (TBRI), Trauma-Informed Care, and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), all tailored to the workplace. Employers gain practical skills for applying compassionate accountability and supporting employees through challenges, ensuring long-term success for both the worker and the business.