Strategies

What Works for Health includes evidence-informed strategies to create communities where everyone can thrive.

5 Strategies
Clear all

Raise the Age

Increase the minimum and/or maximum age boundaries for youth to be processed in the juvenile justice system

Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion
  • Community Safety

School and district level zero tolerance policies

Require school officials to apply predetermined consequences for certain infractions, regardless of situational context or circumstances; consequences are usually severe (e.g., suspension or expulsion)

Evidence Rating:
Evidence of Ineffectiveness
  • Education

School fundraiser restrictions

Prohibit the sale of unhealthy foods such as sugar sweetened beverages, candy, and other non-nutritious snacks at school fundraisers, often as part of a broader nutrition policy

Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion
  • Diet and Exercise

Trauma-informed juvenile justice systems

Support a trauma-informed juvenile justice system to recognize and respond to trauma’s impact on youth through staff training and broad adoption of trauma-informed practices and policies

Evidence Rating:
Expert Opinion
  • Community Safety

Youth in adult justice system

Transfer arrested youth from the juvenile justice system to the adult criminal justice system

Evidence Rating:
Evidence of Ineffectiveness
  • Community Safety