Title: OJJDP National Training and Technical Assistance Center Series: Fact Sheet Author: OJJDP Published: September 2000 Subject: Juvenile justice-general 4 pages 6,000 bytes Figures, charts, forms, and tables are not included in this ASCII plain-text file. To view this document in its entirety, download the Adobe Acrobat graphic file available from this Web site or order a print copy from NCJRS at 800-638-8736. -------------------------------- OJJDP National Training and Technical Assistance Center Practitioners in the field of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention face enormous challenges as they change existing practices to improve outcomes. Because quality training and technical assistance (T&TA) can facilitate such transitions, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) established the National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) in 1995. Located in Fairfax, VA, the Center: --Promotes best practices in juvenile justice training and technical assistance. --Enhances the ability of OJJDP's T&TA network to meet the needs of the juvenile justice field. --Fosters shared teaching and learning among OJJDP's T&TA grantees and contractors. NTTAC functions as a conduit for sharing information and as a vehicle for promoting continuous system improvement. NTTAC helps T&TA providers enhance their capabilities and assists practitioners in locating quality T&TA. With a growing portfolio of products and services, NTTAC provides both a structure and a strategy for developing and applying knowledge about critical juvenile justice issues. The Center collaborates with approximately 60 OJJDP T&TA providers. Through NTTAC, the providers can locate experts, publications, and products on state-of-the-art approaches for designing and delivering T&TA. NTTAC's Services Are Useful To: --Juvenile justice practitioners. --Policymakers. --Judges. --Law enforcement officials. --Corrections officials. --School personnel. --State agency staff. --Youth workers. Products and Services NTTAC products, which include a bimonthly newsletter, Fact Sheets, Bulletins, and a Web site, help providers stay current on the latest trends, technology, and initiatives in T&TA. One key resource is the OJJDP Training and Technical Assistance Resource Catalog, which NTTAC updates and publishes annually. The catalog contains comprehensive information about more than 100 OJJDP-sponsored T&TA projects, including their scope, services, and contact information. NTTAC has also published Training, Technical Assistance, and Evaluation Protocols. This primer discusses best practices in T&TA and suggests strategies for evaluating those practices. Both the published protocols and catalog are available free from NTTAC. The Center is developing protocols for curriculum development, which will also be available at no cost. In addition to these resources, NTTAC also: --Conducts ongoing needs assessments of the juvenile justice field. --Supports efforts to evaluate T&TA delivery. --Generates searchable electronic directories of T&TA providers and training events. --Distributes customized packages of T&TA materials. --Identifies and assesses T&TA resources in the field. --Collects and provides access to the best T&TA materials available. --Develops new T&TA materials to meet needs of juvenile justice practitioners. --Sponsors networking sessions and online discussion groups. --Creates and disseminates model T&TA protocols and guides. NTTAC also sponsors an annual conference, bringing providers and practitioners together to network, strengthen skills, and share ideas. These NTTAC activities help OJJDP to promote its T&TA resources, ensure that its many constituencies have convenient access to appropriate T&TA, and enhance the quality of the T&TA services that the Office supports. Serving as a resource for practitioners and providers, and as a link between them, NTTAC plays a key role in the development and application of T&TA in the juvenile justice and delinquency prevention field. Accessing Resources NTTAC's products and services are easily accessible. Users may call a toll-free number (800-830-4031) to speak with a resource facilitator about their needs. The NTTAC Web site allows users to access NTTACÕs resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Through the Web site, users can search directories of T&TA providers, learn about upcoming training events, and locate T&TA resource materials. The site also provides links to organizations and individuals with expertise in particular areas of the juvenile justice field. ------------------------ For Further Information National Training and Technical Assistance Center Paula Younger, Director 10530 Rosehaven Street, Suite 400 Fairfax, VA 22030 800-830-4031 703-385-3206 (fax) nttac@calib.com (e-mail) www.nttac.org (Internet) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Michael Goodnow, Program Manager 202-307-3676 goodnow@ojp.usdoj.gov (e-mail) ----------------------------- The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, and the Office for Victims of Crime. ----------------------------- FS 200013