# Reimagining the Juvenile Justice System Through the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences Framework

## TL;DR

This paper suggests using the HOPE framework to improve juvenile justice systems by focusing on positive childhood experiences to enhance youth outcomes.

## Contribution

The paper introduces the HOPE framework as a novel strategy for juvenile justice systems to prioritize positive experiences for youth.

## Key findings

- Positive childhood experiences can counteract the effects of adverse experiences in justice-impacted youth.
- The HOPE framework offers a community-driven approach to improve access to key positive experiences for youth.
- Prioritizing PCEs in juvenile justice systems can lead to better health and life outcomes for impacted youth.

## Abstract

Numerous research studies have documented the significant influence of key types of positive childhood experiences (PCEs) on adult health and wellbeing, even in the presence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Recent studies reveal that almost 87% of justice-impacted youth reported at least one ACE. Connecting youth to PCEs after trauma has occurred has been shown to disrupt the poor health trajectory associated with ACEs. Creating juvenile justice systems that prioritize equitable access to PCEs has the potential to change the life course of system-impacted youth. The HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework, a research-based, community-driven approach to improving access to the key types of PCEs youth need to thrive, presents a potentially powerful strategy for juvenile justice systems to transform care for system-impacted youth. This manuscript describes this proposed approach.