Juvenile Protective Association (Jpa)

As JPA’s founder, Jane Addams, once said, “America’s future will be determined by the home and the school. The child becomes largely what he is taught; hence we must watch what we teach, and how we live.” This belief has been the driving force behind JPA for almost 120 years. The Juvenile Protective Association (JPA) provides vital mental health services to children in underserved communities in Chicago. Each year, JPA serves approximately 2,500 at-risk children, families and educators from the South and West sides of Chicago through individual therapy, classroom groups, parent groups and teacher consultation. By meeting clients where they are – in their schools and in their communities – JPA ensures that Chicago’s youth have access to the highest-quality mental health services - services our clients would otherwise not be able to afford, but are crucial to improving the social and emotional well-being and functioning of these vulnerable children so they can learn, grow, and reach their fullest potential.