The ICYJ is excited to be hosting our second Research & Practice Symposium! Researchers, practitioners, system leaders, students and faculty, emerging leaders, and importantly - lived experts in the field of Youth Justice will gather to learn how Positive Youth Development is shaping the way the youth justice system interacts with the young people and families it affects. 

Join us for a day-and-a-half of sharing, learning, and growing in our knowledge and practice to effectively make improvements for youth and families impacted by systems of care. Session topics will include (but not limited to):

• How Relationships can aid in Positive Youth Development
• Evidence-Based Juvenile Detention Center Practices
• Growth-Focused and Opportunity-Based Probation 
• Youth Voice and Cultural Competency and Humility 
• Data Driven Decision Making in Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities
• Cross-System Collaboration and Developing Partnerships between Youth Serving Systems and Areas of Academic Research

When: October 1 & 2, 2026

Agenda:

Thursday, October 1

     8:00 - 9:15 - Breakfast & Opening Remarks (Dr. Rita Poteyeva, John A. Tuell, Robert Bermingham, VA DJJ Director)

     9:15-10:50 – Impact of Positive Relationships on Adolescent Development (Judge Geoffrey Gaither, Dr. Elizabeth Raposa, Dr. Jeffrey Waid, Dr. Alyssa Mikytuck)

     11:00 - 12:20 – FORGE, Opportunity Based Probation & Growth Focused Case Management                   (Dr. Kelsie Tom; Dr. Kate Cunningham, Kevin Williams; Jodi Martin)

     12:20 - 1:15 - Lunch (Provided)

     1:15- 2:15 – Coalition for Juvenile Justice Emerging Leading Committee: Lived Expert Panel / Youth       Voice Research (Dr. Julia Lesknick; Hezekiah Davis, Pray’Eon Jackson)

     2:20 - 3:20 – Incentive Based Probation & Implementing Evidence-Based Behavioral Health       Screening   (Kathy McNamara, Mark Werner; Amy Latshaw, Lindsay Meyer)

     3:30 - 4:30 – Evidence Based Juvenile Detention Center Practices (Jason Houtz, David Dominici)

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     5:30 - 6:30 - Cocktail Hour

     6:30 - 8:30 - Dinner 

Friday, October 2

    8:30 - 10:00 – Breakfast (Provided) & Opening Plenary (dr. christian bijoux)

    10:10 - 11:50 - Multi-System / Cross-Discipline Collaboration (Jenell Loreck, Kristofer Koneazny, Jessica Gonzalez, Dr. Allison Kurpiel, Dr. John Gyourko)

    11:50 - 12:00 - Closing Remarks

Cost to Attend: FREE!

Register Today: Registration Form

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