Center for Children & Youth Justice - CCYJ

Center for Children & Youth Justice - CCYJ Our Mission:
To create better lives for generations of children and youth by reforming the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Our Vision
Our vision is that all children, youth, and young adults are healthy, safe and thriving; cared for by their community; valued as they are; and have a sense of belonging. This vision, which will be realized upon the fulfillment of our mission, guides our work and moves us towards what is possible for our communities and our world. Our Approach
By convening and partnering with parents, ad

vocates, service providers and policymakers, CCYJ develops and advances innovative approaches to systemic change to support kids, stabilize families, and strengthen communities. We work to achieve research-based, data-driven, tangible outcomes for generations of youth.

CCYJ's Early Childhood Court (ECC) program focuses on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child...
08/07/2026

CCYJ's Early Childhood Court (ECC) program focuses on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child-serving organizations work together to support young children in, or at-risk of entering, the child welfare system.

The dedicated Community Coordinators who work with our ECCs facilitate collaborative meetings, support resource connections, and partner with child welfare and community agencies. Our work could not be done with them!

To learn more about ECCs and the work we do, please reach out to our team at [email protected].

CCYJ's Early Childhood Court (ECC) program focuses on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child...
08/05/2026

CCYJ's Early Childhood Court (ECC) program focuses on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child-serving organizations work together to support young children in, or at-risk of entering, the child welfare system.

Today we highlight a parent voice who participated in the program, and a few distinctions on what makes ECCs so unique!

To learn more about ECCs and the work we do, please reach out to our team at [email protected].

CCYJ's Early Childhood Court (ECC) program focuses on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child...
07/28/2026

CCYJ's Early Childhood Court (ECC) program focuses on reducing trauma and improving how courts, child welfare, and child-serving organizations work together to support young children in, or at-risk of entering, the child welfare system with an emphasis on utilizing the Safe Babies Approach to do so.

Today we share a bit more about the Safe Babies Approach, developed by , the science behind it, and howe we apply it to ECCs.

To keep up with us beyond this week, visit the link in our bio to sign up for the ECC Quarterly Newsletter where we share state/site updates and provide resources for implementing ECCs across Washington State.

In response to the high number of young children in the child welfare system, in 2020, CCYJ launched the Early Childhood...
07/27/2026

In response to the high number of young children in the child welfare system, in 2020, CCYJ launched the Early Childhood Court (ECC) program to expand the use of Safe Babies Courts in Washington State. Utilizing a therapeutic and trauma-informed approach, these courts focus on keeping together - or reunifying - families impacted by the child welfare dependency system.

This week, we will share more about the important work of ECCs, and the strides our team has made in the 6 years since launching the program.

To keep up with us beyond this week, visit the link in our bio to sign up for the ECC Quarterly Newsletter where we share state/site updates and provide resources for implementing ECCs across Washington State.

Registration is Open! Join us November 5th - 6th, at the 5th Annual LINC Conference, where we will bring together leader...
07/22/2026

Registration is Open!

Join us November 5th - 6th, at the 5th Annual LINC Conference, where we will bring together leaders, practitioners, partners, and you from across the community violence intervention, prevention, and community safety ecosystem for a day of learning, collaboration, and meaningful action.

Through engaging keynote presentations, interactive workshops, and cross-sector discussions, attendees will explore innovative strategies, strengthen partnerships, and gain practical tools to advance community-led solutions that reduce violence, promote healing, and build safer, healthier communities.

Register today at https://ccyj.fillout.com/2026linc!

PS. Thanks to the City of SeaTac, this year's conference will take place in SeaTac, and include a pre-event networking and listening session!

Call for Proposals: LINC ConferenceDo you have innovative strategies, promising practices, or powerful lessons learned t...
07/09/2026

Call for Proposals: LINC Conference

Do you have innovative strategies, promising practices, or powerful lessons learned to share with professionals working to improve outcomes for youth and families?

The LINC Conference is now accepting session proposals from practitioners, educators, legal professionals, advocates, researchers, and community partners. We are especially interested in presentations that advance equity, systems change, violence prevention, youth engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

Submit your proposal today and help shape this year's LINC experience by visiting https://app.smartsuite.com/form/s0cu3vpi/p6dWO4W0g0

06/05/2026

Happy Pride!

Thank you to all who came last week to kick off Pride with us at Rainbows & Resilience to support CCYJ's Initiative for Safe & Affirming Care.

A special big thank you to our amazing emcee and our fantastic performer for sharing your talents and bringing so much joy to the event!

Ten years ago, our partners made a commitment to the children and youth in Washington’s child welfare system to provide...
06/04/2026

Ten years ago, our partners made a commitment to the children and youth in Washington’s child welfare system to provide healthcare that’s coordinated, consistent, and built to ensure their unique needs are met.

is celebrating this milestone with the release of a new report looking back on a decade of this work which has resulted in impressive results: a 9% decrease in avoidable emergency room visits, a 7.9% increase in well-child visit rates, the launch of Foster Care Centers of Excellence in all six DCYF regions, and more. We’re proud to partner with to continue building a system where every child in Washington receives the high-quality, reliable care they need and deserve.

CCYJ was honored to receive the Community Partner Award at 's 10-Year Anniversary of Apple Health Core Connections Celebration!

CCYJ President & CEO Rachel Sottile was on hand to accept the award and share our gratitude to Coordinated Care for their partnership, including with Early Childhood Courts in Washington.

"Coordinated Care has worked side by side with us, family by family, to connect parents and children to medical providers, services, and support. They do not just talk about collaboration—they live it. This partnership shows what is possible when systems work with families with commitment, flexibility, and heart. We are deeply grateful for their leadership, and this recognition reflects the standard all systems should strive to meet. You are a warm hug in partnership form."

Thank you, Coordinated Care!

June 5th is National Gun Violence Awareness Day.Join and as they and color the city to call attention to the gun vio...
06/04/2026

June 5th is National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Join and as they and color the city to call attention to the gun violence crisis in our country and honor the victims, survivors and families impacted by violence.

Throughout the weekend, events will be held around Seattle and beyond, in recognition of this awareness day. We share and encourage our community members to get involved: whether its attending one of these events, supporting our community partners doing the important on the ground work, or simply further educating yourself on firearm safety.

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Join CCYJ as we honor survivors and build community with those working to...
06/04/2026

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Join CCYJ as we honor survivors and build community with those working to end gun violence, and with us on Friday, June 5th for the 12th National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

Today, CCYJ highlights the efforts of the agencies and organizations we work alongside daily through our LINC Program. Each of these partners provide vital resources and supports to our communities across King County. We are honored to collaborate with , , , , and .

Each of these community organizations will be partnering with for their 6th Annual Lockbox Giveaway, where free handgun lockboxes will be available to all, while supplies last. Please see the last slide for the lockbox distribution schedule, and share with communities as we continue to strive for safety by increasing safe firearm storage.

Address

300 Elliott Avenue W, Suite 360
Seattle, WA
98119

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12066967503

Website

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