title: The Gault Center
text: # The Gault Center
  
  The Gault Center, formerly the National Juvenile Defender Center or NJDC, is a nonprofit organization located in the United States that advocates for juvenile justice reform. NJDC changed names to The Gault Center in 2022.
  
  ## History
  
  The American Bar Association Juvenile Justice Center eventually grew into the National Juvenile Defender Center. In 2005, Patricia Puritz founded NJDC as a standalone organization. In May 2015, Kim Dvorchak succeeded Puritz as the executive director of NJDC.
  
  NJDC has advocated against the shackling of juveniles during court appearances and provides training for attorneys working with juveniles.
  
  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the NJDC argued for the release of detained juveniles for safety reasons.
  
  