Family Engagement Conference
September 10, 2014
SEIU Local 32 BJ, District 615
26 West Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
Keynote Speaker: Grace Bauer, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Justice for Families
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Chris Jones, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative
Ryan Shanahan, Vera Institute for Justice
Kathy Pilarsky, Parent
Yvonne Sparling, Massachusetts Department of Youth Services
Meri Viano, Parent/Professional Advocacy League
engaging families in the Massachusetts juvenile justice system
On September 10, 2014, families of youth in the juvenile justice system, Department of Youth Services and Probation staff, attorneys, community-based service providers, and advocates came together to discuss realities and reforms for families involved in the juvenile justice system.
Keynote speaker Grace Bauer spoke about how her son’s harrowing experience in the Louisiana juvenile justice system led her to join with other families to shut down the facility where he was incarcerated and achieve other important system reform. The panel then discussed social science research, personal experiences, advocacy efforts, and systemic reforms to better understand the impact the juvenile justice system has families and how to improve families' engagement in the system.
Following the panel was a break-out session, where participants identified priorities for improving family engagement and outlined steps towards solutions, including:
- More consistent communication between families and system players
- A parent advocate in each juvenile court
- Training for families so that they are empowered advocates
- Training for law enforcement, judges, and other players on topics such as trauma and engaging families
- Attorneys available 24-7 so that families have someone to consult immediately after their child is arrested
- Peer mentors to support both youth and families
- Eliminating zero tolerance policies
Thanks to all who came, spoke, and participated!
Websites & Resources:
Justice for Families
Parent/Professional Advocacy League
Vera Institute Family Justice Program
Youth Advocacy Division
An Advocate’s Guide to Meaningful Family Partnerships: Tips from the Field, National Juvenile Justice Network
Facility Toolkit for Engaging Families in Their Child’s Education at a Juvenile Justice Facility, The National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent, or At Risk
Families Unlocking Futures: Solutions to the Crisis in Juvenile Justice
Family Comes First: A Workbook to Transform the Justice System by Partnering With Families, Campaign for Youth Justice
The Impact of Family Visitation on Incarcerated Youth's Behavior and School Performance: Findings from the Families as Partners Project, Vera Institute of Justice
Juvenile Defense Attorneys and Family Engagement: Same Team, Different Roles, National Juvenile Defender Center
The Role of Family Engagement in Creating Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Systems, The National Child Traumatic Stress Center
Safety, Fairness, Stability: Repositioning Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare to Engage Families and Communities, Center for Juvenile Justice Reform
Setting an Agenda for Family-Focused Justice Reform, Vera Institute of Justice