Public Policy Advocacy Center

Minority Issues Advisory Council

WHO: The Minority Issues Advisory Council (MIAC) was established in 2004 by Children's Campaign, Inc. to address system-wide services to youth of color, with a special emphasis on the problem of disproportionate contact and confinement within the juvenile justice system. MIAC is comprised of civic and social leaders and representatives from law enforcement, courts, citizen and neighborhood groups, community-based organizations, juvenile justice collaborations and research institutions. The chairperson of the council is Leon Russell, a national leader in minority affairs.

WHAT: MIAC leads discussion and provides advice on systemic changes required to ensure a fair, balanced and accountable approach for effectively dealing with troubled youth and keeping citizens safe.

WHY: Statistics reviewed by MIAC suggest that youth of color receive harsher punishment and are over-represented at every stage of Florida’s juvenile justice system. While African-American youth, ages 10-17, make up 21% of Florida’s population, they constitute 49% of youth held in secure detention, 46% of youth committed (incarcerated) for delinquency, 51% of youth transferred to adult court and 72% of youth in Florida’s prisons.

MIAC has also received information which suggests there is a lack of prevention and early intervention programs in affected communities, there is a link between problems in schools and juvenile justice involvement, and there are few existing alternatives to secure detention when youth get into trouble.

WHERE: MIAC builds and supports advocacy efforts led by Children's Campaign, Inc. locally, regionally and statewide.

For more information on the MIAC and other juvenile justice issues, contact Children's Campaign, campaign@iamforkids.org, or (850) 425-2600.