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Newsletter | Spring/Summer Season 2024

TYJI Staff pictured: Brittany LaMarr, Shelby Henderson, Paul Klee, Eva Ott Hill, Erika Nowakowski, Izarelli Mendieta-Martinez,

Shauntaye Williams-Monroe, & Jamie Perkins ( Not pictured: Donna Pfrommer, Danielle Cooper, William Carbone)

In this issue
  • 2024 Pathways to Success Annual Conference
  • Transforming Youth Justice Program Cohort 8 Graduation
  • TCB Strategic Planning Day
  • Social Justice School Announcement
  • Join Our Team
  • Meet our new Staff/Interns
  • TYJI In the Community
 
 
 

Featured Article

2024 2nd Annual Pathways to Success Conference

The Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) held its 2nd Annual Pathways to Success Conference on May 22, 2024, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. The conference, titled "Pathways to Success: Trailblazers and Innovators in Youth Justice," brought together over 300 system partners, community organizations, youth, and young adults to explore innovative strategies and best practices in juvenile justice and children's behavioral health. The event featured a compelling keynote address, a variety of breakout sessions, and the prestigious Trailblazer Award.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Maysa Akbar

The conference commenced with a keynote speech by Dr. Maysa Akbar, a groundbreaking psychologist, best-selling author, and leading expert in racial trauma, allyship, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Akbar, who is also an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University, captivated the audience with her insights on the impact of systemic oppression on marginalized youth. Her keynote address, drawing from her books "Urban Trauma: A Legacy of Racism" and "Beyond Ally: The Pursuit of Racial Justice," emphasized the importance of addressing race-based trauma and promoting racial equity in youth justice.



Dr. Akbar’s remarks set a transformative tone for the conference, encouraging attendees to adopt a holistic approach to youth justice that includes mental health support, educational opportunities, and community engagement. She highlighted the necessity of dismantling systemic barriers and fostering environments where all young people can thrive.

Read full article here
 

Inaugural Trail Blazer Award Presented to William H. Carbone 


“Children are no longer going to jail because they didn’t go to school. Families are no longer deemed the enemy, they are brought in to collaborate.” Representative Toni Walker describes as she spoke about the recipient of this year’s inaugural Trail Blazer Award and a special citation from the JJOPC.

Read the full article here
 
 
 

Transforming Youth Justice Program

Cohort #8 Graduation

Kim Rodriguez, David Zannelli, Tanesha Jones, Sheree Amankwah, Danae Dwyer, Peter Kisela, Julie Calabro, Taurien Sowell, Veronica Maldonado, Dishon Rucker, Shaun Goggins, Larry Hoffler, Dawn Crimmins, Amanda DeCrescenzo , Erika Nowahowski, & Eva Ott Hill 

(not pictured: Woodrow Vereen Jr., Thomas Pereira, Abby Alter)

On June 6, 2024, members of the 8th cohort of the Transforming Youth Justice Program celebrated their graduation from the nine-month program. Guests and graduates heard from Andrew Ferguson, Co-CEO of Dalio Education, and Dr. Jens Frederiksen, University of New Haven President during the ceremony.  

 

During the nine-month program, graduates listened to presentations on juvenile justice reform, adolescent development, results-based accountability, and more. These presentations and the conversations they engaged in helped to expand their knowledge of best practices and resources in Connecticut. Cohort members also complete a capstone project, with the goal of bringing the program or initiative they create back to their agency. Members showcased their capstone projects to guests during the “cap-tail” hour.

Read full article here

TCB Strategic Planning Day

On June 3, 2024, TCB hosted an energetic and collaborative Strategic Planning Day at Middlesex College. We were thrilled to bring together 51 participants, including legislators, non-profit leaders, state agency representatives, and parents, all dedicated to improving our state's children's behavioral health system.



Setting Priorities Together

We kicked off the day by setting our priorities. Participants identified critical needs in various service areas such as outpatient, intermediate services, partial hospital, residential, and inpatient hospital care. Attendees were organized into groups based on their primary work focus. One of our main goals was to identify what's broken in our children’s behavioral health system. Through open and honest discussions, we uncovered gaps, barriers, and potential solutions to improve service delivery.

Learning from Experts and Community Leaders

We were fortunate to have the Innovations Institute at UCONN School of Social Work share their expertise on governance and system structures in children’s care and behavioral health. They presented inspiring examples from New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio, offering valuable insights for our own efforts.



Rebbeka Seaton, Committee Chair of the West Hartford Community of Concern, delivered an engaging presentation on their work supporting youth and families in West Hartford. Rebbeka's personal anecdotes about navigating the system highlighted the real-world challenges families face. 
Read full article here
 

Social Justice School Announcement

Tow Youth Justice Institute is excited to announce that we are now a worksite through the City of New Haven Youth@Work program. This July we will be hosting two high school students from New Haven (pictured below). The students will work on various projects at TYJI, learning about the Institute's work. The Youth@Work program is a training and learning experience for students. The goal is to enhance academic, decision-making, occupational, personal, interpersonal, and citizenship skills. 


The TYJI staff will work with the students to engage them in projects they are interested in. We are excited to host the two students this year and are looking forward to engaging them in the work of the Institute! This year we are excited to announce our partnership with Our Piece of the Pie as a site host.

Welcome Antoine Morrison & Bersabed Quintanilla!!
 
 
 

Join Our Team

TCB senior Project Manager

 The TCB Senior Project Manager is a full-time, grant-funded position, in which the individual will provide support to the Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) at the University of New Haven and the State of CT Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (TCB).


The Senior Project Manager will work as a team with other TYJI staff members to achieve the mutual goals of the TYJI and TCB of fostering and sustaining children’s behavioral health reform. This position involves managing all planning, policy development, and special project activities associated with the work of the TCB and the TYJI.
Click here to learn more & apply
 
 
 

Meet our New Staff & Interns

Aryana Agli, M.A. Community Psychology: Forensic Psychology

Since working here, I have participated in a few events and meetings where I have assisted in record-keeping and organization for the professional staff. When we are in the office, I provide my assistance and support to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee and the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee coordinators with their research and evaluation goals and, more recently, have provided the majority of my support towards the TCB strategic planning project.

Summer Assistant

Abby Darling, Certificate in Paralegal Studies, 2025, B.S. Criminal Justice- Investigative Services December 2025, M.S. Criminal Justice December 2025 

Summer Assistant

My work will consist mainly in the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee with occasional crossover into The Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly. I will be assisting in administrative processes for the aforementioned committees, including meeting minutes and research to inform policy.

Katiushka Ruiz, B.S. Criminal Justice

My name is Katiushka Ruiz, and I proudly identify as a first-generation graduate, having graduated in May 2024. Alongside my degree, I have earned certifications in Career Readiness and completed the American Heart Association BLS program.


Outside of my professional roles, I genuinely find joy in spending time with my younger brother and my four dogs. I often immerse myself in the pages of a good book. Motivated by a profound sense of purpose, I am impassioned by the pursuit of justice reform, aiming to address inequities within the justice system and striving to improve the lives of those affected by systemic challenges.

TYJP, PBA, and SJS Summer Assistant 

Katiushka Ruiz, B.S. Criminal Justice

Summer Intern

My name is Crystal Chen. I am a rising Sophomore at the University of New Haven majoring in Criminal Justice. I'm passionate about the Justice System and eager to apply my knowledge in a professional setting.


I've been involved in the Chinese-American Planning Council where I tutored children and planned events for them. I'm excited to be interning at TYJI as a policy intern. I'm looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in Juvenile Justice. Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I enjoy listening to music and working out.
 
 
 

TYJI in the Community

TYJI Staff Attend Inaugural Scholarship Gala 2024

The Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) is thrilled to announce that our staff attended the Connecticut Violence Intervention & Prevention (CTVIP) Inaugural Scholarship Gala 2024. The event took place on June 6 at The Waterview in Monroe, CT, and was a significant gathering to support and celebrate efforts in violence prevention and intervention.


The gala honored several distinguished leaders for their dedication to Connecticut’s youth. The honorees included:



  • Kristin Song, JD (Song Strong)
  • Po Murray (Newtown Action Alliance)
  • Tyisha Walker-Myers (New Haven Board of Alders)
  • Tamiko Jackson-McArthur, MD (New Haven Board of Health Commission)



Attendees enjoyed an evening of networking, recognition, and inspiration. This event underscores TYJI's commitment to supporting initiatives that foster safer communities and enhance the lives of Connecticut's youth.
 

TYJI Staff Attend " Spring for Kids 2024"

Members of the Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI) recently attended the "Spring for Kids 2024" event organized by the Center for Children's Advocacy. Held on June 20 at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, the event brought together community partners, policymakers, and advocates dedicated to improving the lives of Connecticut’s youth.

Pictured: Erick Russell

Pictured; Martha Stone

Pictured: Shelby Henderson, Jamie Perkins, William H. Carbone, Martha Stone, Eva Ott Hill, Paul Klee, Izarelli Mendieta-Martinez

The evening featured engaging discussions, networking opportunities, and the celebration of this year's awardees honoring Connecticut leaders whose dedication and commitment have had a tremendous positive impact on the lives of our most vulnerable children:



  • Erick Russell, Treasurer, State of Connecticut
  • Youth Action Hub, a Youth-Led Participatory Action Research Center
  • 2024 Sustainability Award: Community Leadership Program - Bill Graustein


TYJI was honored to be part of this inspiring event, connecting with others committed to youth advocacy and justice. For more details about the event, please visit Spring for Kids 2024
 
 

Check out our latest Issue Brief
 
 

The Tow Youth Justice Institute is a university, state and private partnership established to lead the way in juvenile justice reform through collaborative planning, training, research and advocacy.

Please visit towyouth.newhaven.edu for more information about the Tow Youth Justice Institute.

 

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