November 6-8, 2024
The annual conference is attended by juvenile justice professionals (judges, juvenile probation officers, district attorneys, public defenders, victim advocates, residential and community-based service providers, and others serving the juvenile justice system) from Pennsylvania and nationally.
The training workshops focus on various topics and issues facing juvenile justice professionals, highlighting practices, programs, and initiatives that exemplify best practices related to Pennsylvania's Balanced and Restorative Justice mission and Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy.
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Leon Ford is a celebrated author, social entrepreneur, impact investor, international speaker, and changemaker dedicated to driving positive change in his community and beyond. In 2012, Leon was tragically shot five times by a police officer during a traffic stop, leaving him physically paralyzed. Nevertheless, he has continued to positively impact his community, working with police officers on cultural competency and legislators on drafting policies to modify the use of force laws. As a respected activist and mental health ambassador, Leon passionately addresses disparities by focusing on holistic wellness. His inspiring approach emphasizes the importance of resilience, transforming personal challenges into purpose, and creating a lasting societal impact.
Seeking to bridge the gap between residents, community leaders, and law enforcement to cultivate a safe and thriving community, Leon joined forces with former Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Chief Scott Schubert to co-found The Hear Foundation in 2022. In recognition of its innovative approach, the Foundation received the McNulty Catalyst Prize in 2023. Leon also joined more than 150 other leaders as a founding partner of the Starts With Us movement to end culture wars by fostering curiosity, compassion, and courage as daily habits.
In 2017, Leon was the recipient of President Obama’s Volunteer Service Award. In 2018, he was among The Root 100 most influential African Americans, ages 25-45, and in 2019, he was recognized in Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40. Among his many accomplishments, Leon executive produced the Cannes Film Festival award- winning documentary Leon (2019) and Breaking Bread: A Conversation on Race in America (2021), which won a Shorty Award. In 2023, Leon was recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 and the recipient of the National Urban League Community Service Award. In late 2023, Leon received the prestigious Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. Recently, Leon was named to Governor Shapiro’s Pennsylvania Citizen Law Enforcement Advisory and Review (CLEAR) Commission to bring state law enforcement experts and criminal justice reform advocates together to support public safety and ensure accountability for state law enforcement agencies.
As an influential figure in social justice and mental health, Leon inspires others through speaking engagements, mentorship, and fostering open dialogue. Through his work, he cultivates leaders, organizers, and social entrepreneurs, ensuring his vision for a compassionate and just society endures for future generations.
Morning Plenary Session - “Wait, Doesn’t Everyone Have Trauma?”
The Thursday morning opening plenary session will be led by Tammy L. Hughes, Ph.D., ABPP. Dr. Hughes is Professor in the School of Education at Duquesne University. She currently co-chairs the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Safety of Schools (SOS). Dr. Hughes is a school psychologist, a licensed psychologist and is Board Certified in School Psychology. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Hughes' research focuses on marginalized youth particularly those who are at high risk for disciplinary actions that result in justice contact.
Dr. Hughes’ developed her interests as a result of working as a psychologist treating youth, as a consultant and collaborator to school teams and community agencies as well as promoter of best practices via trainings to justice personnel. This work often engages decision-makers in effecting change in their policies and bringing together school and community personnel, parents and child advocates and other experts to work together on socially complex challenges. She is experienced in solving wicked problems– the types of problems where there is a number and diversity of stakeholders whose influence can undermine progress if their priorities are not considered.
Dr. Hughes also serves as the school psychologist on the interdisciplinary legal team of professionals working together on youths’ cases at the Youth Advocacy Center at the Duquesne University Kline School of Law. Using a Holistic approach, student attorneys, doctorate-level school psychology students, and masters-level social work students and their supervising faculty address delinquency and all matters of school pushout including children in disciplinary hearings, special education, alternative and justice education supports. The broad purpose of her work is in keeping children in school and out of jail.
Luncheon/Afternoon Plenary Session
Various system partners will engage in a panel discussion focused on the increased attention to school-related issues and our juvenile justice system. Strategies to appropriately manage or resolve incidents occurring in our schools will be presented along with the role juvenile justice professionals can play in contributing to a youth’s successful educational experience.
We are pleased to present a series of workshops designed to showcase exemplary practices, programs, and initiatives within Pennsylvania's Juvenile Justice System. Our focus this year is on highlighting best practices across various components of the system to enhance our collective knowledge and effectiveness.
Each session aims to provide practical insights and actionable strategies that can be applied within your roles and organizations.
Thank you for joining us as we explore and learn about the advancements and best practices shaping the future of juvenile justice in Pennsylvania.
- An Introduction to the Victim Community Awareness Curriculum
- Ethical Leadership
- How to Lead a Juvenile Justice Agency
- Lone Oak Animal-Assisted Therapeutic & Educational Services: Use of the ARCH Model
- Unlocking Employability Potential: Leveraging PACTT and OVR Partnerships
- Multi-Disciplinary Systems: Montgomery County's Fire Setting Prevention and Intervention Program
- Restorative Solutions: Rethinking Youth Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vaping Dependency
- Trauma Glasses On or Off?: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Challenging Implicit Bias
- Why Diversion Programs Are Not Enough: Making the Case for Extended Diversion Services
- A History of Dual Status/Crossover Youth Practice in Pennsylvania
- An Overview and Panel Discussion of the Multi-Systems Integration Pilot Program
- A Data-Driven Discussion of Youth and the Juvenile Justice System
- Reel in Success-Fishing with Justice-Involved Youth Through a Partnership with the PA Fishing and Boat Commission
- How the Results First Cost-Benefit and Clearinghouse Tools Can Be Used to Evaluate Evidence-Based Juvenile Justice Policy
- Autism in the Courts
We are pleased to announce room blocks at the Hilton Harrisburg , Crowne Plaza, and Penn Harris Hotel are open. Early reservations are encouraged to secure the contracted rates. Please see below for reservation details.
Hilton Harrisburg
The room block will close on 10/06/2024. Rooms are available on a first-come basis. You may visit the customized link to book online, 2024 JCJC Annual Conference Room Block Booking, or call 717-233-6000 and identify yourself with the Conference using GROUP CODE: 96J. The hotel will confirm your reservation.
Crowne Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey
The room block will close on 10/16/2024. Rooms are available on a first-come basis. You may visit the customized link to book online, 2024 Crowne Reservations, or call 717-234-5021 and identify yourself with the Conference using GROUP CODE: CAL. The hotel will confirm your reservation.
Penn Harris Hotel Harrisburg
The room block will close on 10/16/2024. Rooms are available on a first-come basis. You may visit the customized link to book online, Annual Conference Room Block Booking, or call 717-763-7117 and identify yourself with the Conference using GROUP CODE: 110624JCJ. The hotel will confirm your reservation.
