On Friday, the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives passed a long-awaited bill that will help ensure every young person in Michigan has access to high-quality legal representation.

Each April, organizations, individuals and even states across the country work to raise awareness about the barriers faced by those with a criminal record by recognizing Second Chance Month. But adult former offenders are not the only people impacted by the stigma of a criminal record.

It’s been a year since Michigan took a bold step forward in juvenile justice reform by enacting the Justice for Kids and Communities legislative package. This piece starts a new series highlighting the progress, challenges, and long-term vision of these reforms, as well as how communities across Michigan are bringing them to life.