This year has been one of the most transformative years in history for New York’s juvenile justice system. Just a month after one of New York’s most groundbreaking juvenile justice reforms, Raise the Age, became a reality, New York City took a wrecking ball to the decades-old Spofford Juvenile Detention Centers in the Bronx.

For too long, Spofford served as a symbol of misguided approaches to juvenile delinquency. The demolition of Spofford along with the implementation of Raise the Age means a sea change for New York City’s juvenile justice system. But make no mistake, for many years now New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) has been chipping away at an antiquated juvenile justice system and sculpting it into one that is more focused on reducing overall youth detention admissions all while supporting families and communities.