Recognize the importance of family and children in our society
Recognize the responsibility of the state to enhance the viability of children and family in our society
Acknowledge the responsibility each person owes to the other
Strengthen family life by assisting parents to fulfill their parental obligations
Ensure that children within the juvenile justice system are treated as persons in need of care, protection, treatment and rehabilitation
Remove children from families only when it is in the child's best interest or in the best interest of public safety
Provide for adoption as a viable permanency plan for children who are adjudicated children in need of services
Provide a juvenile justice system that protects the public by enforcing the legal obligations that children have to society and society has to children
Use diversionary programs when appropriate
Provide a judicial procedure that:
Ensures fair hearings
Recognizes and enforces the legal rights of children and their parents
Recognizes and enforces the accountability of children and parents
Promote public safety and individual accountability by the imposition of appropriate sanctions
Provide a continuum of services developed in a cooperative effort by local governments and the state