Two N&D State Coordinators, an expert panelist and partners from Washington State kicked-off the 2016 NDTAC National Conference. The School Justice Certificate program co-sponsored by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University was highlighted by Shay Bilchik, Executive Director and NDTAC Expert Panelist. The focus of the school justice certificate program is to provide school and district staff, court professionals, law enforcement, and other child-serving community leaders with the knowledge and understanding necessary to address the immediate and long term needs of students known to, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice system. The goals of this certificate program are to promote an ongoing engagement in school among youth at risk, re-engage students who have been disconnected, and improve academic outcomes for all.
Kathleen Sande, N&D State Coordinator from Washington discussed their outstanding Education Advocate Program. Kathleen, who participated in the CJJR certificate program had her capstone selected as capstone of the year. Four of Kathleen’s colleagues joined the presentation virtually to discuss specifics about the role of the education advocate from the perspective of their different responsibilities in addressing the educational needs of youth who are transitioning from a secure setting to the community. Finally a youth and parent who are recipients of the supports and services provided by the Education Advocates program shared the benefits of the program.
Concluding the keynote session, Jim Lovett, N&D State Coordinator from Arizona, and a recent school justice certificate program participate shared information about the capstone created by the state of Arizona while at Georgetown University last fall designed to reduce disproportionate contact of minority youth in the juvenile justice system in their state.
Presenters
- Shay Bilchik, NDTAC Expert Panel and Director of CJJR
- Kathleen Sande, WA Part D Coordinator and 2015 Capstone of the Year Award Winner, CJJR Multi-System Integration Certificate Program Capstone Project: Education Advocate Case Management Model
- Kristin Schutte, Student Services Center Director of Olympic Educational Service District (ESD) 114
- Jeff Allen, Principal of Kitsap and Clallam County Detention Center Schools
- Michelle Dower, Student Services Center Program Coordinator of Olympic ESD 114
- Mike Smitley, Transition Counselor of Olympic ESD 114
- Cherie Thaheimer, Education Advocate of Olympic ESD 114
- Jim Lovett, AZ Part D Coordinator CJJR School-Justice Partnership Certificate Program Capstone Project: Reducing Disproportionate Minority Contact
Presentation