Youth and Juvenile Justice Leaders in Boston Area Come Together to Discuss an Innovative Approach to Positive Youth Development and Working Across-Systems

Working collaboratively, School & Main Institute and Wheelock College’s Department of Juvenile Justice & Youth Advocacy, in partnership with the Annie E. Casey and the Gardiner Howland Shaw Foundation, have begun the development of an innovative professional development model designed to address critical gaps between the job juvenile justice workers are asked to do and the skills and knowledge they need in order to do it.

This leadership breakfast was attended by a diverse representation of youth and juvenile justice leaders in the Boston area.  We are excited about the depth and breadth of participation. Our focus is to build a credentialing model that supports a positive youth development mindset with a cross systems approach.

In our planning process we are exploring the competencies and curriculum such a training opportunity would offer those in the field - highlighting the ability to get greater outcomes for youth and families while also supporting the efforts of our programs and agencies to work more effectively and efficiently.