Narrative Change & Social Impact Initiative (NCSI)

Use “systems-impacted” or “formerly incarcerated” to describe individuals who have experienced the child welfare or juvenile justice systems.

Don't use the following terms: inmate, convict, prisoner, criminal, offender, felon, jailbird, parolee.

Highlight resilience, growth, and the ability to overcome challenges while demonstrating the capacity for healing.

Don't use the “damaged goods” narrative where young people are seen as inherently broken, violent, or dangerous.

Deploy human-centric language like “person struggling with addiction” or “person convicted of a drug violation.”

Don't use terms like “addict” or “drug offender” when referring to people who use drugs or other substances.

Depict a variety of foster care experiences like kinship care, group homes, and residential facilities to demonstrate how placement stability affects outcomes.

Don't assume youth are in care because of their own behavior or choices or suggest they weren’t adopted because they were difficult.

Portray systems-impacted young people with dignity and respect.

Don't use the material deprivation trope where young people lack basic possessions like clothing or personal items, or are grateful for any small kindness due to extreme deprivation.

Include successful “aging out” stories of youth who transition successfully to independence, highlighting available support services.

Don't use the “fish out of water” narrative where outsiders must be civilized by their new environment.