Founded in 1994, FJJA is a statewide organization that strongly supports a common sense approach to juvenile justice that treats young people fairly, holds them accountable for their actions and keeps our neighborhoods, schools and communities safe. FJJA brings together juvenile justice system professionals and agencies, organizations, and private and non-profit corporations all committed to improving Florida’s juvenile justice system for children and families.

Through collaboration and cooperation, FJJA presents a unified voice on juvenile justice issues. FJJA is recognized as a proactive leader in effectively serving and addressing issues raised by the diverse agencies involved in the juvenile justice system. FJJA serves as an expert consultant to state and community organizations; supports a balanced and responsive system; advocates for uniform standards, practices and procedures in juvenile care and promotes the need for adequate resources within Florida’s juvenile justice system.

Legislative Advocacy

Leading in the spirit of collaboration, FJJA plays a major leadership role, working with state agencies, advocacy groups and other statewide organizations in Florida to support juvenile justice legislative advocacy.

Our role to foster public awareness, support and involvement is critical. Each year FJJA develops and promotes a legislative agenda based on improving the system of care for Florida’s juvenile justice involved youth.   FJJA tracks legislation and public policy and during the Florida Legislative session, provides a weekly legislative update to members.

Resources and Publications

In addition to weekly updates during legislative session, the FJJA E-Newsletter is published monthly and includes information on promising approaches, effective strategies, innovative policies, and emerging trends across the nation and here in Florida.  FJJA also publishes member alerts with up-to-date information on statewide and local advocacy, public policy, available resources, and other important information.

Professional Development and Training

As an approved continuing education provider, FJJA has convened an annual adolescent conference, designed to improve the professional skills of juvenile justice professionals and other child serving agencies who work with at-risk youth since 1994.  The conference is designed to meet the needs of professionals working in the juvenile and family courts, the judiciary, Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health, juvenile detention, attorneys, educators, private providers, guardians ad litem, law enforcement, faith based and community leaders, and state and community lawmakers.

Over the years, the FJJA Adolescent Conference has grown to become the leading juvenile justice conference in Florida, providing training and education to thousands of professionals statewide. The association gives annual awards to recognize outstanding individuals in our field who have made extraordinary contributions in the areas of direct care services and leadership.

Christian Minor

Executive Director

Christian has worked in the legislative affairs field, with a concentration on healthcare and criminal justice issues, for the better part of a decade. He holds two degrees from the Florida State University with a Masters from the American Applied Politics and Policy Program.

From working campaigns statewide and serving time as a legislative aide, he quickly developed relationships which would later set the foundation for the work he does serving Florida’s at-risk youth and justice-involved populations.

After working for the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association as a legislative associate lobbying various healthcare issues impacting Florida’s osteopathic physicians, he saw the connections between our healthcare and criminal justice systems; and went to work for Bridges of America, Florida’s largest and oldest reentry and work-release provider, serving as their Director of Legislative Affairs.

After Bridges of America, he assumed the role of Executive Director at the Florida Juvenile Justice Association. Founded in 1994, FJJA is a statewide organization which strongly supports a common-sense approach to juvenile justice that treats young people fairly, holds them accountable for their actions and keeps our neighborhoods, schools and communities safe. FJJA brings together juvenile justice system professionals and agencies, organizations, and private and non-profit corporations all committed to improving Florida’s juvenile justice system for children and families.

During his time at the FJJA, Christian has secured over $5-million dollars in legislative appropriations to retain direct-care staff on the front lines serving Florida’s at-risk youth. He was the recipient of the esteemed Joy Aukema Taps Children’s Advocate of the Year Award presented by Legal Services of North Florida. Most recently, during the 2022 Legislative Session he led efforts to pass HB 195 – Juvenile Diversion Program Expunction signed into law by Governor DeSantis on May 12, 2022. Christian helped author the bill alongside sponsor Senator Keith Perry 4-years ago. The bill allows over 26,000 of Florida’s youth who’ve completed post-arrest diversionary programs for felony offenses, to expunge their records.

In his free time, he enjoys running competitively, surfing, and spending time with family and his 5-year old Goldendoodle Fletcher.