Youth Justice Council Meeting Minutes

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

[email protected] (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, [email protected], 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.

mailto:[email protected]

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, [email protected], 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!

[email protected]

From Sarah Davis to Everyone: 04:00 PM

For any questions about our Eliminating Racial Disparities committee, please feel free to reach out at

[email protected]

From Judge Amy Dawson | she/her to Everyone: 04:09 PM

my email is [email protected] - 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!


Thank, you, Sarah, for sharing with us!


Thank you for sharing, Sarah.


Thank you, Sarah, for sharing!


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!


Alright, Lewiee Blaze!!


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!


Thank you Lewiee! Amazing!

From Megan Jablonski Johnson-HCAO to Everyone: 04:43 PM

Lauren, Sarah, Lewiee, thank you so much for sharing!


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!


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!!!!!!!

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lewieeblaze.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7CSierraLeone.Samuels%40hennepin.us%7Caae0a1d1c86b4fc11c4608d8befcda9d%7C8aefdf9f878046bf8fb74c924653a8be%7C0%7C0%7C637469340525823965%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=bjG8f%2BaTKdfwwLmWQz16wrVCHzr%2FfypZWlvP5TQWLrk%3D&reserved=0


Thank you ALL


Thanks to Lauren and Sarah, as well. I appreciate hearing your stories and perspectives.


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.


Lewiee**** I apologize. Facepalm.


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


Love these Community Partnership Agreements !! Major Keys

DECREASE COUR WAIT TIMES !!!!!!!!


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

https://www.hennepin.us/residents/public-safety/youth-justice-council

From Cedric Weatherspoon to Everyone: 05:01 PM

www.empowerfam.com [email protected] 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 [email protected]


can we respond to the systemic flaws


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.


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.


Additionally, we need to make sure that young people know that they need to seal their BCA records.


https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.empowerfam.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7CSierraLeone.Samuels%40hennepin.us%7Caae0a1d1c86b4fc11c4608d8befcda9d%7C8aefdf9f878046bf8fb74c924653a8be%7C0%7C0%7C637469340525833919%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2BqK0gn0gwVhPuFnom5RU%2FgzQ0rIcZYDdmKM3htOO3eQ%3D&reserved=0



http://www.helpsealmyrecord.org/

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmitchellhamline.edu%2Fself-help-clinic%2F&data=04%7C01%7CSierraLeone.Samuels%40hennepin.us%7Caae0a1d1c86b4fc11c4608d8befcda9d%7C8aefdf9f878046bf8fb74c924653a8be%7C0%7C0%7C637469340525833919%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=QIIHjKWxQyMVh8PbuPbNQ7oAV24ssN1F65DnMSbq8yk%3D&reserved=0

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


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?


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.


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.


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


[email protected]

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.

https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mncourts.gov%2Fhennepin%23Juvenile&data=04%7C01%7CSierraLeone.Samuels%40hennepin.us%7Caae0a1d1c86b4fc11c4608d8befcda9d%7C8aefdf9f878046bf8fb74c924653a8be%7C0%7C0%7C637469340525843873%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=nflzCBz%2BFZm2unt%2F%2Bo1oVd5hUqSPgzTTHCNXJEWAGZ4%3D&reserved=0


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.


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.


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.


Thank you for your great efforts Kristy ! We see you. From experience, I agree


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


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

[email protected]

From Araceli Leana-Mejia to Everyone: 05:23 PM

Assistance is also available at the courts Self Help Center and Statewide for expungement process.


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.


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



”it reveals systemic rather than superficial flaws.... radical reconstruction of society itself is the real issue to

be faced” Dr Rev MLK


And ensure accountability.


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!


What is our collective investment?


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.


How do we join the subcommittees?


(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.)


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:

◦ [email protected]; Sarah Davis (612) 677-2124

◦ [email protected]; 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 [email protected]

◦ Joseph Collette at (612)584-1290 [email protected]



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 [email protected]

◦ Judge Kathryn Quaintance at (612) 348-5067 [email protected]

◦ Judge Amy Dawson at (612)596-1474 [email protected]




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

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in C

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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

Youth Justice Council Meeting Minutes

Documents