In early October, the ICYJ held its Inaugural Kick-Off Event in the Hall of Presidents. We welcomed our Summer 2023 Interns to speak about their experiences and had an inspiring keynote address by Mr. Jonathan Cloud, author of the innovative Growth-Focused Case Management.
Our partner, the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice Executive Director, John Tuell also shared the ICYJ origin story.
Please check our YouTube video to see clips from this incredible event and stay tuned to learn about our Spring Symposium!
A Collaborative Event With Scholars, Practitioners, and Students in the Youth Justice Field
The ICYJ convened its inaugural Research & Practice Symposium on April 3rd & 4th, 2024. What an incredible two days of dynamic leaning, collaboration, and sharing of established and emerging research on youth in the justice system.
Among an equal number of professional practitioners, educators, researchers, and JMU students, the event highlighted the commitment of the ICYJ and our partner, the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice, to our shared mission of improving all facets of the youth justice system.
Below details our agenda for the symposium, showcasing the diversity in perspective and background.
*Click on a presenter's name to access their presentation.
Harrisonburg/Rockingham Youth Justice Practitioners, Roundtable
“Rockingham/Harrisonburg youth justice system successes, promising practices, reforms, and current challenges”
Dual Status Youth Panel, Roundtable
Behavioral & Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System
- Kolbee Wisniewski, JMU
"The implications of community violence on the mental health and delinquency of adolescents in Chicago, IL."
- Nadjhia Normil-Skakavac, Virginia State University
“A theoretical analysis of the effects of autism on juvenile delinquency”
- Michelle Manasse, Towson University
“Issues of adolescent developmental & mental health in the context of juvenile justice interventions”
“Racial disparities in behavioral health recommendations within the JJS”
Youth Justice Student Research Panel & Capstone Course Poster Session
- Mariam Elassal, JMU
"Exploring the Social Context of Risk Assessment in Youth Justice"
"Unleashing Potential: Exploring Strengths-Based Counseling"
- Sean McCarthy, JMU
“Where innovative pedagogy, research, & practice meet: Introducing the Youth Justice capstone course.”
Keynote Address by Adolphus Graves*, Juvenile Court Administrator, Cobb County, GA
"From Fences to Bridges: Integrating the Work of Youth Justice Agencies and Academic Research for Sustainable Positive Youth Outcomes"
Academic Research Panel
- Graciela Perez, JMU
“The role of sociocultural factors in delinquency among Latinx”
- Cesar Rebellon*, George Mason University
“Family and peer influences on antisocial behavior throughout adolescence”
- Riane Bolin, Radford University
“Public opinion of juvenile justice policies”
- Maggie Leigey, The College of New Jersey
“Juvenile life without parole in Pennsylvania: Age, cognitive immaturity, and culpability.”
Educational Access for System-Involved Youth Panel
- Clarence Fitch, JMU
“Disrupting the cycle: Reforming the special education pipeline to juvenile justice through inclusive solutions”
- Caitlin Dawkins, American Institutes for Research
“Promoting opportunities for youth to thrive at the intersection of justice, education, and workforce”
- Melissa Svigelj-Smith, JMU
“Creating Hope: Art for converging proximities”
Opportunities for Justice-Involved Youth are Created
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, The Innovation Center for Youth Justice is proud to present a powerful and inspiring Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM) Event through the National Youth Justice Network!
This exhibit will showcase Robert Shetterly’s portraits from his series Americans Who Tell the Truth, alongside artwork created by incarcerated youth. It’s a unique opportunity to reflect on the intersection of justice, truth, and youth empowerment through the lens of art.
🗓 Date: October 9 - November 20, 2024
📍 Location: Roop Hall, Room 208 & Memorial Hall, James Madison University
Witness the transformative power of art in action and help amplify the voices of justice-involved youth!
The ICYJ, in partnership with the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice, took EIGHT emerging Youth Justice leaders to the OJJDP National Conference. These brilliant young minds took full advantage of their first professional conference to attend breakout sessions that were geared toward their future goals and current passions, as well as network with other young emerging leaders and youth justice professionals.
We all benefitted from hearing from Bryan Stevenson, Liz Ryan, Shawn Ginwright, and AG Merrick Garland, and many others. The panels were filled with young emerging leaders and people with lived experience.
Thank you to OJJDP for welcoming nearly 3000 youth justice professionals and young people from across the country.
We are incredibly proud of our Youth Justice minor degree students and can't wait to see them bring the transformative practices they're learning about both on the ground and in these types of environments to the field.
"This conference has made me more eager and passionate to start working in youth justice. Prioritizing community efforts and programs to keep youth out of the system. During the conference I was able to gather information through many panels and gain knowledge on just how important community efforts are. I can’t wait to start my future career in youth justice, wherever that might be, upon my graduation in the spring and continue having an impact in my community." ~ Makaela Parker
This conference not only strengthened my passion for restorative and community-focused approaches to youth justice but also affirmed my commitment to addressing the root causes of why youth come into contact with the system in the first place. I’m incredibly thankful to ICYJ, the RFK Center, and my professors for this unforgettable opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to this critical field." ~ Lexi Ukrop
Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm
