We know we achieve better outcomes for youth and greater community safety by keeping youth out of the criminal legal system through prevention and intervention, such as education and job opportunities, diversion programs, mental health treatment, and other services and supports.  These practices are both feasible and in line with our modern understanding of adolescent development. 

In 2019 FFLIC developed a media campaign and three-point platform focused on mental health, education, and poverty: Let Kids Be Kids (#LKBK). We consistently utilize the #LKBK to correct the erroneous and harmful narratives about children and families and instead focus on changing the systems that target them and impede their potential and growth. 

It has been proven that creating life affirming systems for youth and their families increases community safety.   The systems we need that we know work are: having a living wage for workers, trauma-informed schools without zero tolerance policies and with culturally competent curriculum, access to -physical and mental healthcare, affordable housing, and other investments into our youth, families, and communities listed on the #LKBK platform.