OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families.

OJJDP was founded in 1974 as a result of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974 (Pub. L. No. 93-415, 42 U.S.C. 5601 et seq.) and is guided by subsequent amendments. Visit the About OJJDP section of this site for additional information.