A Centennial Celebration
In 2003 MJJA commemorated the centennial of the state's first juvenile court in part by commissioning "A Very Special Place in Life: The History of Juvenile Justice in Missouri." MJJA published this 282-page book on the history of Missouri's juvenile justice system early this year. The book, written by Professor Douglas Abrams, a Professor of Law at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, was commissioned by the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association to commemorate the centennial of the state's first juvenile court, St. Louis City, in 1903. The purpose for the book is to inform contemporary discussion of children's issues through an understanding of the state's past successes and failures. The book begins in the early 1800s before statehood and continues until the end of 2002. Copywritten by MJJA, the book was printed by the University of Missouri Press, has been well received in the state, and copies are still available upon written request to MJJA, for as long as supplies last.

Centennial Kick-Off
MJJA kicked off this centennial year with a "Juvenile Justice Symposium for Missouri Legislators". The Symposium was designed to provide information on the history, processes, statistics, accomplishments, needs and challenges of Missouri's juvenile justice system - a system that provides services to over 87,000 abused and neglected, delinquent, truant and runaway children and their families each year.

While the hub of the system is the juvenile and family court, the ability of the system to meet the needs of the children coming to its attention is reliant on the expertise of the individuals who serve these children and the collaboration, cooperation and communication among and between personnel of the juvenile and family courts, public and private state and local youth serving agencies, law enforcement, attorneys, Guardians ad litem, Court appointed Special Advocates (CASA), private businesses and organizations, community leaders and volunteers. Essential to their success is the understanding and support of state and local lawmakers.

The Symposium was a true collaboration of the following: The Department of Justice - Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office of the Governor, The Supreme Court of Missouri, The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, the Senate and House Leadership, the Office of State Courts Administrator, Missouri's juvenile and family courts, Department of Social Services, Division of Youth Services, Division of Family Services (Children's Services), Department of Mental Health, The University of Missouri - Columbia - School of Law, Department of Public Safety, Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Over 500 persons from throughout the state attended the Symposium.