A national resource for juvenile detention and corrections professionals

In 1995, the National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA) at Eastern Kentucky University and its partner organizations received a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to implement a unified, multi-year strategy for training of line staff in juvenile detention and corrections facilities. Effective grant management resulted in combined efforts by government, academia, and practitioner organizations to maximize resources, resulting in the creation of the NJDA Center for Research and Professional Development (CRPD).

NJDA/CRPD, through its links with the MSU School of Criminal Justice and partnerships with other national juvenile justice organizations, created a foundation for the professional development of juvenile justice staff.

On July 1, 2004, CEARDY, JJTA, NAJCA, and NJDA formally united under the umbrella of the National Partnership for Juvenile Services (NPJS). In doing so, CRPD became an integral component within this network. With the formation of the Partnership, these uniting organizations agreed to operate under a single operational structure with one central office thereby minimizing duplication of services and maximizing resources.

CRPD maintains an active role in training, technical assistance, program development, and research that extends beyond juvenile detention. By reorganizing around the training, education, and effective practices themes, NPJS/CRPD maximizes limited resources and minimizes duplication while meeting the far-reaching and complex needs of the juvenile confinement community.