Mission
To promote youth-centred decision-making and support collaborative approaches within the youth justice system.
Vision
A youth justice system where informed, collaborative decision-making helps create stronger outcomes for young people, families, and communities.
Legal proceedings alone cannot capture the full picture
Young people involved in the justice system often have complex circumstances — social, familial, and developmental — that are difficult to address within the bounds of courtroom proceedings alone.
Section 19 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act provides a statutory mechanism for convening conferences that bring together professionals, families, and community supports to inform decision-making. These conferences are designed to help courts and practitioners understand the full context of a young person's situation — and to identify meaningful paths forward.
Despite their potential, Section 19 Conferences are rarely used. YAO works to change that — through education, research, and the development of practical resources for justice professionals.
"Collaborative decision-making is not a departure from justice — it is a more complete expression of it."
Core principle — Youth Advocacy Office
What YAO does: Knowledge Mobilization, Professional Education, Implementation Guidance, and Research & Evaluation related to Section 19 and youth-centred justice practices.
YAO complements—not replaces—the work of legal professionals, governments, and community organizations by providing education, research, and implementation resources.
Our Work
Four Areas of Focus
YAO's work is organized around the belief that better outcomes begin with better information — and that the professionals working within the youth justice system deserve access to current, evidence-informed resources.
Knowledge Mobilization
Translating research into practical tools for professionals.
Implementation Guidance
Helping organizations adopt and strengthen collaborative youth justice practices.
Professional Education
Evidence-based resources for lawyers, judges, Crown counsel, educators, and community partners.
Research & Evaluation
Identifying what works, measuring outcomes, and sharing best practices nationally.
Stay informed on Section 19
and youth-centred justice
Get Familiar. Communicate. Collaborate. Course Correct!
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YAO publishes updates on research, new resources, and developments in youth justice conferencing. Sign up to receive information relevant to your role.