18th Judicial District
18 JD Racial and Ethnic Disparities Committee
Building a future where every young person has a fair chance
Where a young person starts should not determine where they end up.
The 18th Judicial District Racial and Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) Committee brings courts, schools, behavioral health, probation, and community partners together so Black and Brown youth have fair access to opportunity—not deeper system involvement.
Community Voice
We listen to youth and families because those closest to the challenges help lead the solutions.
Our Community Story
Our Story
Across our community, too many young people—especially Black and Brown youth—face barriers that limit opportunity and shape their futures long before they have a chance to define it themselves.
Families, educators, courts, and community leaders see it every day:
- Students pushed out of school instead of supported
- Youth entering systems that were never designed with them in mind
- Communities carrying the weight of fragmented services and missed connections
The Racial and Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) Committee was created to bring people together across systems to change that reality.
This is not just a committee—it is a commitment to fairness, accountability, and a better future for our youth.
Why We Exist
We believe that where a young person starts should not determine where they end up.
Yet across systems—education, juvenile justice, behavioral health—patterns of disparity persist.
These disparities are not accidental. They are the result of systems, policies, and gaps in coordination that we now have the responsibility to confront and transform.
To ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all youth by addressing the root causes of racial and ethnic disparities across systems.
A community where every young person—regardless of race or background—has access to the support, opportunities, and pathways they need to thrive.
What We're Working On
We focus on the real challenges families and youth are facing right now:
Keeping Youth Connected to School
We are working to reduce truancy and prevent students from being pushed out of learning environments that should be supporting them.
Preventing Unnecessary System Involvement
We are helping build diversion programs so youth can get support in their communities instead of entering deeper into the justice system.
Coordinating Systems That Serve Our Families
Too often, agencies operate in silos. We are working to improve how schools, courts, providers, and communities communicate and support youth together.
Addressing Root Causes
From community safety to behavioral health, we are focused on understanding and addressing the conditions that create inequities in the first place.
How We Work
Our work is grounded in a shared belief: real change only happens when communities and systems work together.
We center equity
Fairness requires more than equal treatment—it requires recognizing and removing barriers.
We listen to youth and families
Those closest to the challenges help lead the solutions.
We use data to guide action
We study where disparities exist and focus our efforts where they matter most.
We think long-term
We take a life-course approach—working to interrupt cycles that affect not just individuals, but generations.
Who Is at the Table
This work brings together leaders and organizations across our community, including:
- Courts and judicial leadership
- Probation and youth services
- School districts and educators
- Behavioral health providers
- Community organizations
- Youth and family advocates
By working together, we are able to take a more complete, human-centered approach to supporting youth.
The Impact We're Building
While this work takes time, we are already laying the foundation for:
- More coordinated support systems for youth and families
- Stronger partnerships across agencies
- Expanded prevention and diversion opportunities
- A shared commitment to accountability and change
This is how systems begin to shift—and how communities begin to heal.
Join the Work
Creating a more equitable future takes all of us. Whether you are a parent, educator, community member, or organization, there is a place for you in this effort.
Together, we can ensure every young person has the opportunity to succeed.
Contact the committee Get involved through MBSK ColoradoCoalition Profile
Overview
The 18th Judicial District Racial and Ethnic Disparities (R/ED) Committee is a cross-sector, multi-agency coalition established to address identified disparities within youth-serving systems across the judicial district.
The committee convenes stakeholders from the judicial system, education, behavioral health, probation, and community-based organizations to analyze systemic inequities and develop coordinated strategies to improve outcomes for youth—particularly those disproportionately impacted by system involvement.
The committee operates as part of a broader statewide effort to reduce disproportionate minority contact and advance equity within juvenile justice and related systems.
To ensure fair and equitable outcomes for all youth by addressing social, cultural, economic, and systemic contributors to racial and ethnic disparities.
A coordinated, equitable system in which all youth—particularly Black and Brown youth—have access to opportunities, resources, and supports that enable positive life outcomes.
Purpose and Scope
The R/ED Committee is responsible for:
- Identifying and analyzing racial and ethnic disparities across systems
- Reviewing and applying data related to youth system involvement
- Developing cross-system strategies to reduce disparities
- Promoting alignment between agencies serving youth and families
- Supporting policy, practice, and system-level improvements
The committee's scope includes, but is not limited to:
- Juvenile justice system involvement
- Educational engagement and truancy
- Behavioral health access and service delivery
- Community-based prevention and intervention systems
Key Issue Areas
Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC)
Persistent disparities in youth involvement in the juvenile justice system and decision points within the system.
Education System Disparities
Challenges related to truancy, school discipline, and system engagement that contribute to downstream system involvement.
System Fragmentation
Limited coordination and data sharing between agencies, resulting in gaps in service delivery and outcomes.
Behavioral Health and Community Safety
System pressures, resource gaps, and community-level factors influencing youth outcomes across systems.
Strategic Approach
Equity-focused systems change
Recognition that disparities are the result of systemic factors and require systemic solutions beyond equal treatment.
Data-driven decision making
Use of available state and local data to identify disparities, inform interventions, and monitor progress.
Cross-system collaboration
Active coordination between judicial, educational, behavioral health, and community partners to align responses and resources.
Life-course framework
Adoption of a long-term approach to interrupt intergenerational cycles of inequity through early intervention and sustained support.
Governance and Structure
The committee operates as a collaborative, multi-stakeholder body consisting of:
- Judicial leaders and court representatives
- Probation and youth services agencies
- School district leadership and education partners
- Behavioral health and human services providers
- Community-based organizations
- Facilitators and state-level coordination partners
Leadership and coordination have historically included support from state-level R/ED coordinators and designated regional representatives.
Core Functions
- Convening cross-agency stakeholders
- Reviewing system-level data and trends
- Identifying gaps in service delivery and coordination
- Developing targeted intervention strategies
- Supporting implementation of diversion and prevention initiatives
- Facilitating communication and shared accountability across partners
Current Areas of Work
- Expansion of diversion and alternative pathways for youth
- Exploration of policy and practice changes related to education and juvenile justice
- Development of improved coordination mechanisms across agencies
- Strengthening community-based supports aligned with system needs
- Re-engagement and restructuring of committee activity and participation
Partnership Model
The R/ED Committee operates as a distributed partnership model, leveraging the roles and expertise of participating agencies to implement coordinated strategies.
Partners contribute through data sharing and analysis, program design and implementation, policy and system advocacy, direct service delivery, and community engagement.
Alignment with State and Local Initiatives
The work of the committee aligns with:
- State-level Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) initiatives
- Office of Adult and Juvenile Justice Assistance (OAJJA) R/ED efforts
- Local coalition and community-based equity initiatives
The committee serves as a regional implementation body translating broader policy priorities into local action.
Contact and Participation
For more information about the R/ED Committee or to explore partnership opportunities, contact [email protected].