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 leanring, 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 hightlighted the committment 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.

Wednesday, April 3:

Opening Remarks

• ICYJ Director, Dr. Rita Poteyeva
• RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice Executive Director, Mr. John Tuell

Harrisonburg/Rockingham Youth Justice Practitioners, Roundtable

“Rockingham/Harrisonburg youth justice system successes, promising practices, reforms, and current challenges”

• Louis Nagy, Harrisonburg Juvenile Defense Attorney
• Honorable Rachel E. Figura, Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
• Scott Troutman, Juvenile Probation Officer, Juvenile Court Services Unit, Harrisonburg, VA
• Antron Smith, Family Services Specialist (Truancy/CPS), Harrisonburg/Rockingham County Department of Social Services
• Moderators: Rita Poteyeva, JMU and Victoria Jensen, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney

Dual Status Youth Panel, Roundtable

• Mark Werner, Director of Juvenile Redeploy Services at Circuit Court of Cook County, IL
• Jessica Heldman, University of San Diego School of Law
• Gabriela Wasileski, University of Baltimore
• John Gyourko, University of Pennsylvania, VA DCFS
• Moderators: Rita Poteyeva, JMU and JJ Messier, ICYJ / RFK NRC Liaison

Behavioral & Mental Health and the Juvenile Justice System

• Kolbee Wisniewski, JMU 

• Nadjhia Normil-Skakavac, Virginia State University

• Michelle Manasse, Towson University 

• Makaela Parker, JMU*

Youth Justice Student Research Panel & Capstone Course Poster Session

• Opening remarks by Mark Werner, Director of Juvenile Redeploy Services at Circuit Court of Cook County, IL 
• Mariam Elassal, JMU

• Jeneba Sesay, JMU*

• Sean McCarthy, JMU

• Poster “Speed Dating” featuring YTHJ 400 Capstone students and course “problem sponsors”: 
  • Shawn Carpenter, Court Administrator and Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Hancock County, OH 
  • Paul Daniels,  Director of Juvenile Court Services, King County, WA 
  • Mark Werner,  Director of Juvenile Redeploy Services at Circuit Court of Cook County, IL

Thursday, April 4:

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

• Cesar Rebellon*, George Mason University 

• Riane Bolin, Radford University

• Maggie Leigey, The College of New Jersey

Educational Access for System-Involved Youth Panel

• Clarence Fitch, JMU

• Caitlin Dawkins, American Institutes for Research

• Melissa Svigelj-Smith, JMU