Raise the Age

Research shows that brain development continues into a person’s mid-20s, affecting judgment, impulse control, and decision-making.

In response, the Evans Policy Innovation Collaborative (EPIC) partnered with the
Raise the Age Workgroup, co-led by the Washington State Department of Children Youth & Families Office of Juvenile Justice and the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice to support recommendations regarding the implementation of juvenile court jurisdiction expansion to encompass 18, 19, and 20-year-olds. Specifically, EPIC supported two analyses, one on the impact of expanding juvenile court jurisdiction on service provision for juveniles and emerging adults, and one on a benefits-cost analysis of the expansion. 

https://dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/UW_EPIC_Slides_Mar25.pdf
Review Preliminary Findings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHOVonWOhNo
Learn about Raise the Age Benefit-Cost Analysis

Project Highlights
Project Overview
From July 2024 to June 2025, EPIC:

apped services and supports available to at-risk and justice-involved youth across Washington State.

Assessed the specific needs of Emerging Adults (ages 18–21) compared to younger youth (ages 12–17) and evaluate whether current services can meet those needs.
Analyzed the impact of expanding juvenile court jurisdiction—including service capacity, infrastructure, and provider readiness.
Gathered input from stakeholders and conduct cost-benefit analyses to estimate investment needs and potential savings.
Published two reports with analyses, findings, recommendations for the workgroup.

Project Recommendations
Coming soon.

Project Team
Scott W. Allard
Amanda Bankston
Cali Jahn
Mackenzie Crampton
Jessika Gill
Katya Jardim
Karin Martin

Contact
General inquiries about the project may be addressed to: evansepic@uw.edu.