The Washington, D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) engaged Making Cents International to boost staff capacity at the New Beginnings Youth Development Center—empowering frontline teams to better support youth navigating the juvenile justice system. Through this activity, our team equipped DYRS staff with the skills and tools to deliver high-impact, youth-centered, trauma-informed support that advances positive outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system—a group that faces some of the toughest barriers to re-engagement and success.
Using a five-phase, user-centered process—Discovery, Development, Capacity Strengthening, Implementation, and Learning—Making Cents:
> Assessed employment readiness, reintegration strategies, and wraparound services.
> Designed a tailored, evidence-based training grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) and community violence interruption principles.
> Facilitated an immersive 4-day training focused on collaboration, self-reflection, and practical skill-building across departments.
> Onboarded supervisors as “Champions” to reinforce and sustain learning.
> Concluded with a final learning session and toolkit of resources to sustain impact.
Youth involved in the justice system are not always easy to engage—but with the right support, they can heal, grow, and thrive. We’re proud to stand alongside DYRS staff who show up every day to make that possible.