Research Assistant
Spring 2026 Internship
Policy Development and Juvenile Justice Reform
Role Focus: Support PayBack’s systems‑level work by producing data‑driven policy insights that advance equitable outcomes for court‑involved youth and inform local juvenile‑justice reform initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
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Conduct policy and literature reviews on national and state juvenile‑justice reform models.
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Compile and analyze outcome data from community and court programs to identify systemic service gaps.
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Draft policy briefs and data summaries for use by PayBack and partner agencies.
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Assist in designing developmental outcome measures and evaluation frameworks for restorative programs.
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Present findings in a clear, visual format suitable for leadership briefings and stakeholder meetings.
Benefits for the Intern:
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Hands‑on experience applying research to real‑world justice and
policy systems. -
Mentorship from leadership in behavioral systems and policy
translation. -
Opportunity to co‑author a policy memorandum or outcomes brief.
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Strengthened proficiency in data analysis, program evaluation, and
policy communication. -
Professional references and networking exposure with legal and nonprofit industry leaders in St. Louis and Jefferson City.