OLYMPIA - National experts, elected officials, members of law enforcement, educators and community leaders will convene in Tacoma to share strategies and explore solutions to reduce the disproportionate amount of youth of color who enter Washington state’s juvenile justice system.
What: The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice Conference
When: October 29, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
October 30, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Where: Hotel Murano
1320 Broadway Plaza
Tacoma, WA
Youth of color remain overrepresented in Washington’s juvenile justice system, especially those who come in contact with the system for low-level offenses (truancy, runaway, curfew, etc.). The arrest rate is three times higher for African American youth, and two times higher American Indian juveniles, when compared to their white peers.
DSHS’ Office of Juvenile Justice (OJJ) was awarded a $200,000 federal grant in 2016 to study ways to combat these disparities. After convening a statewide task force, hosting community forums and examining juvenile arrest and detention data, OJJ devised a strategic plan that focuses on prevention and intervention. Those in attendance at the conference will brainstorm ways to implement the recommendations in the plan. A series of workshops will also give attendees the opportunity to explore solutions that have worked in other parts of the country.
“This conference is a call to action,” said OJJ Director Vazaskia Crockrell. “Locking up youth of color for low-level offenses hurts both the kid and the community. Our research shows that these children are better served by community and family programs that do not involve the juvenile justice system.”
The first day of the conference will feature a keynote talk from Choose 180 Executive Director Sean Goode. His organization describes itself as an ‘emergency room for youth’ that helps them identify what’s wrong, the behaviors that keep them stuck and the path towards positive change. Judge Steven Teske, the Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court of Clayton County in Georgia and advocate for juvenile sentencing reform, will address the conference on October 30 along with local judge Frank Cuthbertson.