In the Reporter

State Attorney General Rob Bonta visited Vallejo in recent weeks to learn more about the city’s Youth Achievement Center and discuss the needs and concerns of youths.

The event was held in partnership with the Solano County Probation Department and Solano County Supervisor Erin Hannigan, among others.

Bonta toured the facility Aug. 10, shared his thoughts and priorities regarding the juvenile justice system and heard from youth participants about their concerns, hopes and recommendations for programming.

“I am extremely grateful AG Bonta took the time out of his hectic schedule to visit the YAC and see firsthand the amazing work done by Probation staff and their community partners in helping to transform the lives of youth who are under their care and supervision,” said Christopher Hansen, the county’s chief probation officer, in a press statement. “There can be no better public safety than a youth who gains the skills and knowledge to become a productive and law-abiding member of our community.”

Hannigan highlighted the work being done in Solano  to strengthen First 5 programs and ensure equitable access to services for all families.

She reiterated the need to embrace a community-driven approach to service development, including one that starts with supporting whole families with early intervention, prevention, and community-driven strategies, officials said.

The Youth Achievement Center opened in 2018 with funding from the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act. It’s described as a “one-stop service site” for youth under community supervision. Participants attend required and recommended programming that addresses both youth development and changeable factors associated with criminal activity, officials said.

Located in both Vallejo and Fairfield, the program is designed to reduce recidivism and increase the protective factors that help young people grow up healthy.