Post on 27-Jan-2022
Hennepin County Youth Justice Council
300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487
hennepin.us/yjc
Youth Justice Council Meeting Minutes
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
Time: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location: Virtual
I. Attendance: Adesola Jaiyesimi, Sierra Leone Samuels, Lindsay Frazher, Wendy Villanueva, Josh
Terrio, Freya Whiting, Latisce Williams, T. C., Alexis Chappell-Bush, Ana Negrete, Clarence Castile,
Judge Mark Kappellhoff, Carrie Yeager, Catherine Johnson, Todd Barnette, Sarah Davis, Sarah
Edgington, Caalynn, Commissioner Irene Fernando, Jerald Moore, Brett G. Eve Byron, Jeron,
Joshua, Molly Whitley, Lindsay Lundeen, Mark B, Roberta, Judge Juan Hoyos, Dr. Brittany Lewis,
Cindy Slowiak, Judge Quaintance, Karen Kuglar, Alyssa Benson, RJCA Cynthia and Jasmine, Tom
Campbell, Tracy Reid, Vicki Wright, Tom Arneson, Tessa Beyers, Sonja Weber, Shawn Sorrell,
Seward Longfellow RJ, Rachel VanOverbeke, Peter Schuetz, Penny, Ovid Westin, Nicole Archbold,
Neal Margolies, Morgan Kunz, Monica Long, Molly Whitley, Willie Bridges, Meghan Byrnes,
Megan Jabolnski Johnson, McKenzie Colas, Maria Kamenska, Marcy Podkopacz, Malaika Eban, LM,
Lisa McNaughton, Linda Ritchie, Leah Lindstrom Rhea, Lauren Uhl, Kristy Snyder, Kevin Stringer,
Kerry Meyer, Kelly Hall, Katie Miller, Kathy Cima, Kaela Schweisthal, Julie Rud, Judge Tanya
Bransford, Judge Amy Dawson, Cedric Weatherspoon, Judge J. Reding
jenniferh@cornerstonemn.org (120 participants)
Introductions by the tri chairs Judge Mark Kappelhoff, Jerald Moore, Dr. Brittany Lewis
Three guests’ introductions Chief Judge Todd Barnette, Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando,
Catherine Johnson Director of DOCCR. Irene Fernando, irene.fernando@hennepin.us, HennepinD2.com
Judge Kappelhoff went through the PowerPoint and discussed what the Youth Justice Council is and
mission.
Jerald Moore discussed Pre-JDAI and juvenile justice reform work that has been done and how those
changes impacted the data then and now. Next step is to address the disparity, go for a deeper, deeper
dive into addressing and reducing the disparity numbers. Data that was shared were from 2005 -- 2020.
Judge Kappelhoff demonstrated the changes by explaining the various graphs from the PowerPoint
presentation, which showed that the data of juveniles coming into the juvenile detention center, the
juvenile justice courts and juvenile probation. However, the disparity numbers are still way too high and
the importance and need to have the community at the table working with the juvenile justice partners to
help address the disparity issues.
Jerald Moore went the graphs that showed the out-of-home placement numbers and how those numbers
have dropped but the disparity numbers are still high too high.
Judge Kappelhoff shared what the three subcommittees of the YJC and had the Co-Chairs of each sub-
committee introduce themselves and discuss in further detail what their subcommittee does.
Eliminating Racial Disparities (ERD) -- Willie Bridges and Sarah Davis did the introduction of the
Eliminating Racial Disparity sub-committee and discussed the work that their sub-committee does inviting
people to join their committee.
Youth Advisory Board (YAB) -- Sarah Edgington introduced the Youth Advisory Board and went over who
can be a member of their committee and the work their board does.
Underserved Youth -- Judge Dawson, Judge Quaintance, and Beth Holger did their introduction and
explained what their committee works on, along with inviting members to be a part of the committee.
Judge Kappelhoff went over the upcoming YJC meeting dates and times. He shared that people can get in
contact with the Co-Chairs of the subcommittees to find out their meeting dates and times. Judge
Kappelhoff stressed that the Youth Justice Council, as well as the sub-committees, will not be discussing
what the problems are. The focus with the YJC and the sub-committee will be how can we address the
problems within Hennepin County Juvenile Justice system and enact real change, real reform. along with
the sub-committees, we will not be talking about the problems but how we can address the problem.
Adesola Jaiyesimi shared that everyone will be going into break out rooms for a chance for people to get
to know one another through an ice breaker activity and solving some riddles. The following were the ice
breaker questions, where each person answered one of the questions and the riddles to solve:
Take a moment to get to know others in this space. We invite you to turn on your camera if possible.
State your name
Reason for being here
And respond to one of the following questions:
Riddles: Solve as many as you can upon completion of introductions.
Q: A blind beggar had a brother who died. What relation was the blind beggar to the brother who
died? “Brother” is not the answer.
A: The blind beggar was the “sister” of her brother, who died.
Q: I am the beginning of sorrow and the end of sickness. You cannot express happiness without
me, yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk yet never in danger. You may find me in the
sun, but I am never out of darkness.
A: The letter S
Q: What has a mouth, but cannot eat; moves, but has no legs; and has a bank, but cannot put
money in it?
A: River
Q: Arnold Schwarzenegger has a long one. Michael J. Fox has a short one. Madonna does not use
hers. Bill Clinton always uses his. The Pope never uses his. What is it?
A: Surname
Q: Your parents have six sons including you and each son has one sister. How many people are in
the family?
A: Nine. Two parents, six sons, and one daughter. All of them have one sister (not six sisters).
Q: The number 8,549,176,320 is a unique number. What is so special about it?
A: This is the only number that includes all the digits arranged in alphabetical order.
Everyone rejoined the meeting and Adesola introduced the next part of the meeting, which is a
presentation by three young people, Lauren McKenzie, Sarah Edgington, and Lewis McCaleb. Lauren
McKenzie started with sharing a video of herself explaining her experience with the juvenile justice system.
After the video she introduced herself in her native language, Ojibwe and highlighted certain aspect of
her.
Sarah Edgington was the next young person to introduce herself. She also shared her experience with the
juvenile justice system and how it has affected her life as she tried to apply to various colleges.
Lewis McCaleb (Lewiee Blaze) introduced himself and the work he does around criminal justice, healing
and transformation. He shared his experience with the juvenile justice system. He is also an artist and
shared one of his poems with everyone.
Judge Kappelhoff turned it over to Dr. Brittany Lewis. Dr. Lewis began the community forum by giving a
more in-depth introduction about herself and the work she is committed to doing by partnering with the
community ensuring to bring their voices to the tables that affect the community and building equity
within those communities. One of the most important things that many institutions currently at this
meeting must acknowledge are the historic harms that has been caused by the institutions among the
communities they serve.
Dr. Lewis went through the Community Partnership agreement that was developed and made sure
everyone was good with the Community Partnership agreement. Then she proceeded to present the
results of the survey that everyone was to complete before the meeting. Dr. Lewis discussed the Focus
Areas that are important to people that completed the survey, and the New Focus Areas from the survey
results. She also went through other suggestions, questions and gaps that were added by some people
who completed the survey. She also shared the Focus areas that the YJC Steering Committee felt were
high priority.
Lewis McCaleb agreed with the results of the survey and really likes the Community Partnership
Agreement, along with the direction the YJC is going and would like to continue to work with the YJC.
Cedric Weatherspoon is also excited about the work of the YJC and supporting the young people and
would like to continue to work with the YJC.
Willie Bridges reiterated that the Eliminating Racial Disparity committee needs to have community at the
table to help them in their work and extended another invitation to everyone.
Sarah Edgington asked everyone at the meeting that we do not use young people's stories as a means to
a system change and respect the young person and their entire experience. She also asked a question
regarding who is responsible for sending information to young people who graduate from the juvenile
justice system on how to have their records expunged and sealed. One of the responses was that juvenile
probation was responsible for letting the young people know how they could go about the process of
having their record expunged. Lewis McCaleb agreed that this is extremely important because it also
affected him trying to find employment.
Another part to that question was is there a systematic process for a young person to receive information
to have their records sealed. There were many responses. Juvenile Probation officers have gone through a
training to learn the process and how to explain the process to their clients as the transition out of
juvenile probation. Another person stated it is a six-month daunting process, and it should be an
automatic process for all young people that have successfully completed their time within the juvenile
justice system. Another part of the question was asked if it will include going back 2-3 years to capture
those young people who have successfully completed their time within the juvenile justice system so they
can have their records sealed or will this only pertain to those current young people getting off of
probation? There was a lot of discussion around sealing young people's records after they have
completed their adjudication. Headway shared some of the services they provide to young people that
are referred to their diversion program. The Legal Rights also offered their services to assist young people
who would like to get their records sealed. Other in attendance provided various websites that young
people could go to find out what they need to do and begin the process, however the process is very
long and can be extremely difficult and frustrating.
Dr. Lewis noticed that there is a deep need to have this issue addressed and resolved and that all the
various resources available are not connecting amongst each other to ease the process for our young
people. In some other states it is an automatic juvenile expungement and the same needs to happen in
our state. It was pointed out that to make it a state policy it will need to be changed at the state
legislature and the YJC is a great group that can lobby for that change. Sarah Edgington believes there is
an ask from the community to make this change at the county level and is willing to work with others to
make it a county change.
Maria Kamenska also pointed out the disconnect among all the system partners, and community and the
systemic issues that affect our young people, such as Sarah Edgington’s experience of knowing she will
get in more trouble if she has contact with the police while on juvenile probation but didn't know that she
could get her record expunged.
Dr. Lewis believes that both need to happen (legislative and county level). Chief Judge Barnette stated
that the courts could make that change across the board within the Hennepin County Juvenile Justice
Courts and not have to wait for the legislative process.
Lewis McCaleb felt inspired and excited around the discussion and problem solving that was happening
calling it “AAA -- Audience, Action, and Accountability”.
The meeting time was nearing to the end so Judge Kappelhoff reminded everyone how they can join a
sub-committee and when the next YJC meeting will take place on Feb. 17th.
Jerald Moore echoed what Judge Kappelhoff stated and he wants this committee to make positive change
within the juvenile justice system and confirmed to the community that there are people that are
committed to the work.
Dr. Lewis shared a Cornel West quote regarding that we do not need seasonal warriors, but we need all
season warriors.
Highlights from the Zoom Chat:
From Desola Oni She/her/hers to Everyone: 03:24 PM
Welcome everyone
We invite you to consider the following as you participate in today’s meeting.
• Listen to understand
• Speak your mind and heart
• Contribute your thinking
• Focus on what matters
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect
• Practice and experience humility
• Given we are in a virtual world, please mute your speakers unless you are speaking to avoid
distractions
• We would love to see your faces if you are able to turn on your camera!
From Commish Irene to Everyone: 03:42 PM
Irene Fernando, irene.fernando@hennepin.us, HennepinD2.com
From jenniferh to Everyone: 03:45 PM
Hello everyone, I am here to advocate for survivors of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. If anyone is
looking for support, resources or someone to answer questions-please feel free to reach out!
jenniferh@cornerstonemn.org
From Sarah Davis to Everyone: 04:00 PM
For any questions about our Eliminating Racial Disparities committee, please feel free to reach out at
sdavis@legalrightscenter.org
From Judge Amy Dawson | she/her to Everyone: 04:09 PM
my email is amy.dawson@courts.state.mn.us - please let me know if you are interested in working with me
to improve outcomes for LGBTQ+/SOGIE youth
From Judge Tanya Bransford (she/her/hers) to Everyone: 04:29 PM
Thanks for sharing. That was powerful!
From Leah Lindstrom Rhea (She Her Hers) to Everyone: 04:29 PM
Thank you for sharing Lauren!
From Maria Kamenska (she/they) to Everyone: 04:31 PM
Chi-miigwech, Lauren, for sharing your story. Your voice is powerful. Congratulations on graduating next
week!
From Kandace Logan (she/her) to Everyone: 04:31 PM
Thank you, Lauren.
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 04:32 PM
Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story!
From Bernie Farrell, HCL, she/hers to Everyone: 04:32 PM
Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your story!
From Cedric Weatherspoon to Everyone: 04:32 PM
Thanks you. Lauren for sharing with us
From Joshua C to Everyone: 04:34 PM
Lauren and Sarah, Thank you for sharing! I'm glad you both got to work with Emily, TaShonda, and Abbie
at POWER!
From Bernie Farrell, HCL, she/hers to Everyone: 04:34 PM
Thank, you, Sarah, for sharing with us!
From Kandace Logan (she/her) to Everyone: 04:34 PM
Thank you for sharing, Sarah.
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 04:35 PM
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing!
From Maria Kamenska (she/they) to Everyone: 04:36 PM
Thank you, Sarah. Your voice is appreciated.
From Headway-Kevin S. to Everyone: 04:36 PM
Thank you Lauren and Sarah for sharing..
From Dr. Brittany Lewis (she/her/hers) to Everyone: 04:39 PM
Lewis McCaleb is the truth!
From Callie Hargett to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Much needed inspiration - many thanks, Lewis McCaleb!
From Kandace Logan (she/her) to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Alright, Lewiee Blaze!!
From Maria Kamenska (she/they) to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Straight fire Lewiee Blaze! *mic drop*
From Monica Long to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you
From Joshua C to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you, Lewiee, for showing us the way!
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you Lewiee! Amazing!
From Megan Jablonski Johnson-HCAO to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Lauren, Sarah, Lewiee, thank you so much for sharing!
From Leah Lindstrom Rhea (She Her Hers) to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Sarah, your voice and message are powerful! Thank you! Amazing Lewiee! Thank you!
From Amanda Harrington, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you to Lauren, Sarah and Lewis!!!
From Amanda Barnard-Court Clerk to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Fantastic, thank you, Louee!
From Marcy Podkopacz to Everyone: 04:43 PM
we are glad you are HERE!
From Bernie Farrell, HCL, she/hers to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you, Lewiee Blaze!
From Lewis McCaleb to Everyone: 04:43 PM
My website is www.lewieeblaze.com
From Beth Holger she/her to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you so much Lewiee, Sarah and Lauren for sharing your amazing talents and wisdom!!!!!!!
From Lewis McCaleb to Everyone: 04:43 PM
Thank you ALL
From Amanda Barnard-Court Clerk to Everyone: 04:44 PM
Thanks to Lauren and Sarah, as well. I appreciate hearing your stories and perspectives.
From Judge Tanya Bransford (she/her/hers) to Everyone: 04:44 PM
Thank you to the youth for sharing your voices and being so authentic!
From Neal Margolies to Everyone: 04:44 PM
WOW, the courage and vulnerability of all who have spoken/told their story/presented has just been
amazing. Thank you to you all for the energy and calls to action/change/reform.
From Amanda Barnard-Court Clerk to Everyone: 04:44 PM
Lewiee**** I apologize. Facepalm.
From Headway-Kevin S. to Everyone: 04:45 PM
THAT WAS GREAT LEWIS !!! KEEP UP THE FIGHT AND DONT STOP!!!
From McKenzie Colas to Everyone: 04:45 PM
Amen!!
From QuaintanceK to Everyone: 04:45 PM
The three of you are wonderful and amazing. Thank you for sharing your talents.
From raj he/they to Everyone: 04:45 PM
our own amada groman
From Lewis McCaleb to Everyone: 04:54 PM
Love these Community Partnership Agreements !! Major Keys
DECREASE COUR WAIT TIMES !!!!!!!!
From Leah Lindstrom Rhea (She Her Hers) to Everyone: 04:55 PM
This is really helpful. Will these slides be available after the meeting?
From Desola Oni She/her/hers to Everyone: 04:56 PM
yes we will have it on the website
https://www.hennepin.us/residents/public-safety/youth-justice-council
From Cedric Weatherspoon to Everyone: 05:01 PM
www.empowerfam.com cweatherspoon@empowerfam.com Cedric Weatherspoon
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:02 PM
I appreciate this focus. I am also wondering if the Hennepin County folks can update us on if letters are
going out to young people completing probation about their next steps to get records sealed.
From Calista Moxey to Everyone: 05:04 PM
I think restructuring our criminal justice system (probation, police officers, courts, etc.) to be trauma
informed.
From Jerald Moore to Everyone: 05:06 PM
Jerald Moore jerald.moore@hennepin.us
From raj he/they to Everyone: 05:08 PM
can we respond to the systemic flaws
From QuaintanceK to Everyone: 05:09 PM
Expungement might be a good fit for the law school clinics??
From Morgan Kunz - HCAO to Everyone: 05:09 PM
There is also a website where people can request expungement: www.Helpsealmyrecord.org
From Megan Jablonski Johnson-HCAO to Everyone: 05:10 PM
https://mitchellhamline.edu/self-help-clinic/
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone:05:10 PM
I can connect you to the Legal Rights Center and we can walk you through the process. We are currently
doing twice monthly opportunities to sit with a lawyer and figure out your next step.
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 05:11 PM
It sounds like there is a community ask for information on expungement of records. Could we add these
resources to the YJC website? Our office can provide those resources, along with Kristy at PPL.
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:12 PM
Additionally, we need to make sure that young people know that they need to seal their BCA records.
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 05:12 PM
We also need to be very clear when we are using language about expungement. The record sealing being
talked about related to diversion does not expunge all records. Youth can still be disqualified from
passing background studies for employment, etc. through DHS.
From Maggie Skelton, Staff Attorney, District Court to Everyone: 05:12 PM
I conducted the trainings on Expungement for probation and would be happy to share the information for
the website.
From Morgan Kunz - HCAO to Everyone: 05:13 PM
The juvenile expungement forms are available at: https://www.mncourts.gov/hennepin#Juvenile
From raj he/they to Everyone: 05:13 PM
it is vital that we are clear... too many gaps in the process and the youth and the family suffer. are you
talking about pre-trial diversion?
From Judge Tanya Bransford (she/her/hers) to Everyone: 05:14 PM
It is correct that the youth that go through diversion get their court records sealed. We cannot control
police records and records in other agencies.
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:14 PM
This is a great conversation, as it also speaks to follow through and accountability. Hennepin County has
done a great job of making sure Maggie Skelton conducted training in September to ensure probation
officers are not giving out inaccurate info. The letter conversation has been happening since October
2019.
From Amanda Harrington, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney to Everyone: 05:14 PM
I love the idea of cross-system collaboration. It seems like they should all work together, and sometimes
they do on paper, but we need to work on better relationships and direct and consistent communication
From Headway-Kevin S. to Everyone: 05:15 PM
Kevin.Stringer@Headway.org
From Callie Hargett to Everyone: 05:16 PM
Quick impromptu shout-out to The Link: The Link sets a wonderful example of how to honor youth for
their time, talent and wisdom - no decision about youth, without youth. No program for youth, without
youth leadership at the forefront. I'm unaffiliated with The Link, just a longtime adoring fan! :-)
From Sierra Leone (She/Her/Hers) to Everyone: 05:19 PM
Is this something that can be automatic for the young people? So they do not have to go through all this
stuff and various resources.
From Beth Holger she/her to Everyone: 05:19 PM
Oh wow thank you so much Callie and Kristy, the youth are what makes it they have the wisdom and love
all that they bring.
From Judge Tanya Bransford (she/her/hers) to Everyone: 05:20 PM
The diversion that we were discussing is post charge, pretrial diversion. So they do not have to plead
guilty to anything. If the young person successfully completes diversion, the court records are sealed.
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:20 PM
In fact, we have been working for over a year with seven different agencies to support 42 young people to
complete the application. We have ONE young person who has jumped through all of the hoops. The
system is made to not have success.
From Lewis McCaleb to Everyone: 05:21 PM
Thank you for your great efforts Kristy ! We see you. From experience, I agree
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:21 PM
Does Hennepin County support automatic sealing of records?
From Me to Desola Oni She/her/hers: (Direct Message) 05:22 PM
so quickly looking into it, you can copy and paste it. If I find anything more, I will update you
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 05:23 PM
For folks looking to advocate for policy change, please reach out to Legal Rights Center, we have a
Coalition for Youth Justice that is pushing for this and other changes. Please email me at
sdavis@legalrightscenter.org
From Araceli Leana-Mejia to Everyone: 05:23 PM
Assistance is also available at the courts Self Help Center and Statewide for expungement process.
From QuaintanceK to Everyone: 05:24 PM
Bobbie Champion has taken up related issues in the legislature.
From Sarah Edgington to Everyone: 05:24 PM
I was denied from half the schools I applied to because of my record.
From Amanda Harrington, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney to Everyone: 05:25 PM
We also need to know who to connect with to make changes we are interested in
It's part of why this forum is helpful
From raj he/they to Everyone: 05:25 PM
”it reveals systemic rather than superficial flaws.... radical reconstruction of society itself is the real issue to
be faced” Dr Rev MLK
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:25 PM
And ensure accountability.
From Leah Lindstrom Rhea (She Her Hers) to Everyone: 05:26 PM
CSH - myself, McKenzie and Gabe - want to join the End Racial Disparities sub-committee. I will be
emailing the leads for that committee! And I will be here for future meetings!
From Lewis McCaleb to Everyone: 05:26 PM
What is our collective investment?
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:27 PM
Let's make it happen! And then reach back to those in the past! Thanks, Judge Barnette!
From Todd Barnette to Everyone: 05:30 PM
I have to go. But this is great! Community members will have a equal voice at the table.
From Amanda Harrington, Assistant Hennepin County Attorney to Everyone: 05:30 PM
How do we join the subcommittees?
From Kristy Snyder, PPL, she/her to Everyone: 05:30 PM
(Also please make sure when considering this expungement piece, that you loop in the BCA work. That
stops so many young people from getting jobs.)
From Sarah Davis (she / her) to Everyone: 05:31 PM
You can email subcommittee chairs to get the meeting information
Youth Justice CouncilJANUARY 21 , 2 0 21
Who is the Youth Justice Council?
Hennepin County Youth Justice
Council (YJC) is a collaborative
effort among court stakeholders,
law enforcement, and community
members who are committed to
creating an equitable, fair, and
effective juvenile justice system that
produces positive outcomes for
youth, their families, and
communities, and promotes
community safety.
Mission
Is to improve and reform the juvenile justice system by eliminating the unnecessary use of secure
detention, eliminating disparities based on race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation,
gender, gender identity, or disability and providing resources to effective community-based and
culturally appropriate services for youth and their families.
ReformedJuvenile CourtPolicies, Procedures&Practices
Pre-JDAI
&
Post-JDAI
Pre-JDAI & Juvenile Justice Reform
• Over reliance on detention and institutional responses
• 100+ youth in detention per day
• 500+ youth in out-of-home placement
• Significant racial disparities in detention and outcomes
• Insufficient community or evidence-based programming
• Inconsistent standards for detention/out-of-home placements
• Inadequate data collection, collaboration, analysis
• Insufficient family and community engagement
JDAI Key Objectives
Reduce Reliance on Secure Confinement
Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities
Redirect Resources to Effective Community-
Based and Culturally Appropriate Services
for Youth and their Families
Enhance Collaboration Among Court &
Community Partners
JDAI Results
• 80% Decrease in Youth Admitted Annually to JDC
• 4,500 to 908 (2005-2020)
• 65% Decrease in Average Daily Population at JDC
• 95 to 33 (2005-2020)
• 64% decrease in Out of Home Placements for youth in DOCCR from 2009-2020.
Annual Admissions to the JDC: 2005-2020
Results of reform efforts-Diversion
We can cite 11 different formal
pathways out of the system before
youth enter Juvenile Probation. We
reinvested funds from the dropping
population into community-based
services for youth, a 93% increase
to over $4,446,000 by 2017.
By 2017, 63% of youth desisted
from crime during the two years
following probation start.
Results of reform efforts-OHP
Impact of correctional out of
home placement redesign
that started in 2009 and was
furthered through the Annie E.
Casey Deep End Initiative.
Results of reform efforts-OHP
Innovations in our OHP
practices continued while
Robert F. Kennedy Children
Actions Corps evaluated our
system.
Eliminating Racial Disparities Sub-committee
The purpose of the Eliminating Racial Disparities (ERD) Sub-Committee is to provide a forum
where representatives from County and Municipal Governments, Law Enforcement, the Judiciary,
County Attorney’s Office, Public Defense, Public Education, Philanthropy, Community Based Youth
Serving Agencies, Community Advocates, Parents and Youth work together focusing on eliminating
ethnic and racial disparities within Hennepin County. The ERD committee meets monthly.
◦ Meets on the second Thursday of every month from 4-5:30. For additional information, contact:
◦ sdavis@legalrightscenter.org; Sarah Davis (612) 677-2124
◦ Willie.Bridges@hennepin.us; Willie Bridges (612) 348-3934
Youth Advisory Board
The purpose of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is to commit and advocate for positive change within the Juvenile Justice System in Hennepin County through the presence of youth voice from the community and those youth most impacted by the juvenile justice system. With the expertise of lived experience, the Youth Advisory Board provides support for initiatives to improve the experiences and outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system and prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system.
The youth advisory board meets twice a month on Tuesdays from 4-5:30pm.
To learn more about the youth advisory board or join, contact:
◦ Sierra Leone Samuels at (612)596-8411 SierraLeone.Samuels@hennepin.us
◦ Joseph Collette at (612)584-1290 Joseph.Cellette@ymcamn.org
Underserved Youth sub-committee
The mission of the underserved youth committee is to focus on the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations within the juvenile justice system, such as youth who identify as LGBTQ+, youth who have experiences being trafficked and exploited, girls, youth experiencing homelessness and housing instability, and underserved youth who have complex needs that are not being addressed in the delinquency or child protection systems .
The underserved youth sub-committee meets every third Thursday of the month from 4:30-6:00pm.
For more information and to participate in the underserved youth committee contact:
◦ Beth Holger at (612) 636-4260 bholger@thelinkmn.org
◦ Judge Kathryn Quaintance at (612) 348-5067 Kathryn.Quaintance@courts.state.mn.us
◦ Judge Amy Dawson at (612)596-1474 Amy.Dawson@courts.state.mn.us
Meeting dates/times/location
Meetings will be held monthly until March and then
quarterly. All meetings will be virtual until it is feasible and
safe to meet in person.
YJC members should be present at all meetings and if unable to attend, should send
a designee. If a member is unable to participate, it
should be communicated to the chairs of the council.
Meeting dates for 2021 are listed as follows and
scheduled from 3:30 -5:30pm.
February 17, 2021
March 10, 2021 June 9, 2021 September 8, 2021 December 8, 2021
Questions and comments?
Youth Justice Council
Participant Survey
Hen
nep
in C
ou
nty
Who We Are
Hennepin County
Probation Employee6
Court4
Community service provider4
Community Member Parent/Guardian
2
Community member Interested Participant2
Law Student 2
Minnesota Department of Public Safety 2
Female12
Male
6
Non-binary / third gender 2
White13
Black or African American 6
Native American or Indigenous 1
Affiliation *Respondents could check more than one response
Gender n=20
Race (n=20)
as described by 20 Youth Justice Council Survey respondents
Focus Areas Sorted by Mean Rating of Importance
Hennepin County
Focus Area 5: Prevent and interrupt school to prison and Child Protection to prison pipeline - Engage in cross-system collaboration between schools, human services and the justice system, focusing on preventing and interrupting the school to prison and Child Protection to prison pipeline for BIPOC and other underserved populations 92.9
Focus Area 2: Increase more alternatives to detention and out-of-home placement particularly for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex and Gender Nonconforming (LGBTQI-GNC) - Create more alternatives to detention and out-of-home placement, particularly for BIPOC and LGBTQI-GNC youth 88.4
Focus Area 8: Equitably and fairly engage with youth - Equitably and fairly engage with youth in their homes and communities, putting implicit and explicit bias aside and seeing youth as more than the sum of their worst choice/action. 85.1
Focus Area 4: Increase restorative justice and diversion - Increase restorative justice and diversion opportunities through promising and evidenced based practices and programs indicated to have the most effective impact 83.7
Focus Area 1: Increase family engagement in decisions - Create authentic opportunities for families to engage in decisions made about their child at key decision points from arrest, pretrial, plea agreements, disposition, and supervision. 76.5
Focus Area 7: Decrease frustration of families waiting for court - Decrease frustration of families waiting for court by identifying and creating a more family-centered way of court. Current calendar, docketing/scheduling, notice and post-court information dissemination will be reviewed. 75.3
Focus Area 3: Improve Extended Juvenile Jurisdiction (EJJ) for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) - Improve policies and practices from prosecution through to disposition and supervision for extended juvenile jurisdiction (EJJ) youth, focus on BIPOC youth 72.6
Focus Area 6: Eliminate the shelter gap - Eliminate the shelter gap for kids not yet involved in juvenile justice or human services who can not live with their families
72
New Focus Areas Gathered by the Survey
Hennepin County
Focus on the overlap of Child Protection and Delinquency and develop appropriate interventions
Can we introduce an indigenous coaching practice --- practice aimed at working with families, youth, and communities before
casting a shadow in the enforcement systems and agencies. We are a compliance and punishment obsessed system; how do we
walk away from these policies and practices and help humanize struggles, celebrations, and living?
Culturally sensitive trauma informed support for youth and their families to prevent and interrupt cycle.
Racism is a public health crisis. This truth impacts all of the focus areas. Examining practices and legislation that uphold anti-
blackness specifically is critical to the change needed locally. Out-of-School time opportunities for children and youth needs
particular attention this year.
There should be an initiative to hire more BIPOC probation officers. I work with juveniles in probation who report that they can't
relate to their probation officer due to difference in race/culture. I believe this would also help the way that probation officer's
work with families as well.
Increase criminal justice education for juveniles, so that when faced with criminal charges, juveniles understand their rights.
Highlight the importance of thorough and consistent ethnic and racial disparities-juvenile justice data, collected and reported
with timeliness
Other Suggestions and Questions
Hennepin County
How are we compensating the justice-involved youth and families? Their wisdom should be rewarded. can
we make a commitment to reducing the number of youth and families that will be affected by our
compliance and punitive system--- by the time we are done with this work we will reduce the number by
30, 50, 70, 90%. Hennepin county is taking an oath to reduce the incarceration, suspension, and
punishment of those who have been harmed by historical, systemic, policies, and procedures. I want that
equity and growth mindset moving forward.
To what degree are juveniles on probation involved in this conversation?
This is a great list. I am especially excited to learn about what Focus Area 8 will look like in action.
What is your plan for creating more alternatives? How do you plan to eliminate the shelter gap? What ideas
are on the table currently?
Consider reframing as the "cradle to prison" pipeline
Community Partnership Agreements
• We commit to treating youth with lived experience in the justice system and their families as experts of the juvenile justice system by doing the following:
• Compensate youth and family participants for their time and expertise.
• Be transparent and provide clear information about internal justice system processes and decision-making processes within the County, including timelines, roadblocks, and opportunities for community to leverage its power.
• Work collaboratively with community to develop the evolving YJC priorities.
• Share back with the full Council progress and how community members’ input is used.
• Allow space for open dialogue, including disagreements, conflict, and the time needed for reconciliation and healing.
• Consulting with youth throughout the process to ensure they have what they need to feel safe, valued, and heard in an accessible way.
Potential focus areas