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Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Friday, June 17, 2016

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET

United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)

810 Seventh Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20531

SUMMARY

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice (“Coordinating Council”) held a webinar meeting 

on June 17, 2016. The meeting was hosted by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of 

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Council members participated in person 

and via phone, and members of the public observed.

Jeff Slowikowski, Designated Federal Official, provided staff support for the meeting, along 

with other staff members. Robert Listenbee, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), led and moderated the meeting.

Michelle Boyd, Ph.D. and Sarah Oberlander, Ph.D., of the Division of Children and Youth 

Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), U.S. Department 

of Health and Human Services (HHS), offered a report on the history, philosophy, activities, and 

strategic plan to improve youth outcomes of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs 

(IWGYP), which they staff, along with new IWGYP Chair Cheri Hoffman, Director of ASPE’s 

Division of Children and Youth Policy (CYP). The presentation included a description of 

Positive Youth Development (PYD), for which the working group developed a research agenda 

and engaged in relevant activities. A question-and-answer session followed.

Administrator Listenbee moderated an open discussion on sustaining interagency relationships. 

Federal government members reported out on the sustainability efforts of their agencies, and 

practitioner members shared efforts by their organizations. Discussion around ideas and methods 

for sustainability of activities and relationships among the members was included.

Council members provided updates and announcements from their agencies and organizations.

The next meeting of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice will take place prior to the 

change in administration, likely in the fall. It will be scheduled to ensure the best likelihood of 

Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Chair of the Council, being in attendance.
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OPENING REMARKS,INTRODUCTIONS, AND ROLL CALL

Jeff Slowikowski, Designated Federal Official (DFO), FACJJ and Senior Policy Advisor, Office 

of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), US Department of Justice (DOJ) 

Robert Listenbee, Administrator, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

(OJJDP) 

Office of the Administrator Senior Advisor for Strategic and Community Engagement Jeff 

Slowikowski officially called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. and welcomed all attendees. He 

reviewed logistics and procedures for the meeting, and he noted that it would be webcast in real 

time as well as recorded and archived. Photos would also be taken throughout the meeting. The 

archived webcast, along with meeting notes, PowerPoint presentations, and any comments 

received from the public, will be posted on the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and 

Delinquency Prevention (“Coordinating Council”) website – www.juvenilecouncil.gov – within 

90 days. This meeting would not be open for verbal comments from the general public; however, 

written comments may be submitted to Mr. Slowikowski at Jeff.Slowikowski@usdoj.gov. Inperson attendees were invited to submit written comments during the discussion portion of the 

meeting using the index cards provided to them.

Mr. Slowikowski introduced Robert Listenbee, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 

Prevention (OJJDP) Administrator, sharing that Administrator Listenbee was appointed by 

President Obama in spring 2103. Prior to assuming his current position, Administrator Listenbee 

served as chief of the juvenile unit of the Defender Association of Philadelphia for 16 years and 

was a trial lawyer with the Association for 27 years. He has served on multiple state and national 

organizations and commissions that advocate for gender, race, and ethnic fairness in the 

treatment of juveniles and for improvements to juvenile justice policy and juvenile indigent 

defense, including the National Legal Aid Defenders Association and the National Juvenile 

Defender Center. Immediately prior to joining OJJDP, Administrator Listenbee served as cochair of the Attorney General’s Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence and as a member of 

the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ), which advises the President and 

Congress on juvenile justice-related matters. 

Mr. Slowikowski expressed that OJJDP staff have been very fortunate to have had Administrator 

Listenbee, with his juvenile justice background and strong leadership skills, at helm of the office 

for the last three years. He explained that Administrator Listenbee, who is Vice-Chair of the 

Coordinating Council, would be chairing this meeting in the absence of Attorney General Loretta 

Lynch.
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Roll Call

Mr. Slowikowski asked that each Coordinating Council member introduce him/herself by 

providing her/his name, office, and federal agency represented. Practitioners were asked to 

provide their name, cities, states, and background professions. Administrator Listenbee led the 

roll call, with the following members introducing themselves:

In Person

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais – Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary in Indian Affairs, U.S. 

Department of the Interior (DOI)

Jennifer Burnszynski – Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Services Policy, U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Brent Cohen – Senior Advisor to the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice 

Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

David Esquith – Director, Office of Safe and Healthy Students, U.S. Department of Education 

(DOE)

Rachel Frier – Chief of Staff, Juvenile and Residential Family Management Unit, U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Laurie Garduque, Practitioner Member – Director, Justice Reform, John D. and Catherine T. 

MacArthur Foundation

Larke Huang – Director, Office of Behavioral Health Equity, Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services (HHS) *Designee to this meeting for the Administrator

John Kelly – Deputy Chief of Staff, Corporation for National Community Service

Helen Konovsky – General Counsel, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 

(HUD)

Lisa Lauxman – Director, Division of Youth and 4H, National Institute of Food and Agriculture 

(NIFA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Karen Morgan – Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)

Richard Morris – Senior Advisor, Division of Youth Services, U.S. Department of Labor 

(DOL)

Judge Trina Thompson, Practitioner Member – Alameda County Superior Court, Oakland, CA 

and University of California-Berkeley Adjunct Professor and Lecturer in Ethnic Studies and 

American Culture

Sarah Wattenberg – Senior Advisor for Public Health and Public Safety Issues, White House 

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)

By Phone

Reginald Dwayne Betts, Practitioner Member – Fellow, New Haven Public Defender’s Office, 

and Student, Yale Law School

Judge Gordon Martin, Jr. – Associate Justice (ret.), Massachusetts Trial Court, Boston, MA 
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Agenda

Administrator Listenbee reviewed the meeting agenda, noting the presentation by the 

Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP), to be followed by a question-andanswer session. The agenda then included an open discussion on sustaining interagency 

relationships. 

INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP ON YOUTH PROGRAMS (IWGYP)

PRESENTATION AND QUESTION-AND-ANSWER SESSION

Administrator Listenbee introduced Michelle Boyd, Ph.D. and Sarah Oberlander, Ph.D., both 

social science analysts with the Division of Children and Youth Policy, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

(HHS).

Dr. Boyd’s work at ASPE focuses on policies and programs that affect youth and young adults. 

The topic areas in her portfolio include bullying, disconnected or opportunity youth, financial 

literacy and education, and violence prevention. Much of her work involves interagency 

coordination and collaboration; this includes staffing the Interagency Working Group on Youth 

Programs (IWGYP). Dr. Boyd holds her B.S. in psychology from Howard University and her 

M.A. and Ph.D. in child development (focus: adolescent development) from Tufts University.

Dr. Oberlander’s current activities with ASPE include policy analysis related to youth issues, 

including teen pregnancy prevention and youth violence prevention. Much of her work portfolio 

includes coordination and collaboration activities related to youth issues across health and human 

services and the federal government. Dr. Oberlander also staffs the IWGYP. She earned her B.S. 

in psychology from Indiana University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in community-social psychology 

from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Administrator Listenbee also recognized Cheri Hoffman, the Director of ASPE’s Division of 

Children and Youth Policy (CYP), and the new Chair of the IWGYP.

Presentation: Working Together to Improve Youth Outcomes

Dr. Oberlander began by providing the background and history of the IWGYP.

Background

As those who work with young people know, their lives can be complicated. Youth – especially 

those who are most vulnerable – are often dealing with one or more of the following issues at 

any given time:

● Substance abuse

● Exposure to violence
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● Training and workforce readiness

● Employment

● Education

● Housing

● Homelessness

● Physical health

● Trauma

● Transportation

● Service learning

● Wellness

● Mental health

● Justice involvement

These issues are interrelated and, not surprisingly, not siloed by federal funding stream. It would 

take many agencies working together to solve some of the problems. Examples of interconnected 

issues include difficulty in attending school daily when one’s family is homeless, and challenges 

to finding employment after being involved with the justice system.

Historically, these issues have been targeted by different federal departments or agencies. It is 

difficult to develop and ensure communication and collaboration within a large agency and, 

particularly, across agencies.

IWGYP History

In the mid-2000’s, First Lady Laura Bush began the Helping America’s Youth initiative to 

support young people at risk for negative outcomes such as gang involvement and substance 

abuse. This initiative laid the groundwork for the IWGYP. In 2008, the “Improving the 

Coordination and Effectiveness of Youth Programs” executive order (Executive Order 13459) 

established the IWGYP and delineated the 12 departments and agencies that were to be involved. 

Those included HHS (with ASPE as chair), DOJ as vice-chair, the Department of Education 

(DOE), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and others represented on the Coordinating 

Council. The primary focus of the IWGYP is youth ages 10 to 24, and all departments and 

agencies included at the onset had programs and services for young people in that age range.

There are now 19 partner agencies of the workgroup:

● USDA

● U.S. Department of Commerce

● U.S. Department of Defense

● DOE

● HHS (Chair)

● U.S. Department of Homeland Security

● U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
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● U.S. Department of the Interior

● DOJ (Vice-Chair)

● U.S. Department of Labor

● U.S. Department of State

● U.S. Department of Transportation

● Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

● Corporation for National and Community Service

● National Science Foundation

● Office of National Drug Control Policy

● U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

● U.S. Small Business Administration

● U.S. Social Security Administration

The IWGYP established a website, then called FindYouthInfo.gov; approximately one year ago, 

it transitioned to youth.gov.

The working group has no budget line; instead, it is supported by interagency agreements each 

year. ASPE contributes financial and staffing support. The IWGYP is made up of career staff 

who have expertise in youth programs, services, evaluation, research, evidence-based programs, 

youth development, and youth engagement strategies.

IWGYP Activities

Numerous interagency working groups exist around specific areas, including bullying, violence 

prevention, teen dating violence, career pathways, and health. The IWGYP’s focus is a broad 

one, and its goal is to ensure that those at the table bring the deeper knowledge of the groups they

represent so that the working group can connect and amplify their work.

IWGYP Responsibilities

Executive Order 13459 listed the following three primary responsibilities of the IWGYP:

1. Create and support a federal interagency website on youth

a. As mentioned above, the working group developed youth.gov.

2. Identify and disseminate effective strategies and practices that support youth

a. The website includes an evidence-based program directory through a 

collaboration with DOJ.

b. The working group has created content and has held meetings around ways to 

select and implement evidence-based programs.

3. Promote enhanced collaboration at the federal, state, and local levels

a. The working group works to serve as a model for collaboration and to promote 

learning and sharing by posting profiles of collaborations on the website, hosting 

webinars, and more. 
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In 2009, Congress directed the IWGYP to develop an overarching strategic plan for federal 

youth policy.

Success through Transitions

Since 2008, the IWGYP has continued a vibrant body of work and has added new partners, all 

while appreciating the members who have been involved since the working group’s inception. 

Dr. Oberlander shared some of what has helped the working group’s success over the last eight 

years, including through one Presidential transition:

● Develop a common vision and plan (strategic plan)

○ The working group has an agreed-upon philosophy that guides its work and helps 

it decide which projects to take on and in what order.

○ It held listening sessions around the country to learn what members of the public 

thought young people needed to survive and thrive. The information gathered in 

those sessions has guided the IWGYP’s work.

○ Most recently, the working group has developed a positive youth development 

(PYD) research plan and has used PYD as its guiding philosophy.

● Engage in relevant work

○ Undertaking work that has leadership buy-in has helped the working group to 

ensure that staff have the time and commitment to participate.

○ Short-term activities can allow for quick wins and can help with agility and 

responsiveness.

○ Longer-term activities allow a group to take a deeper look at more complicated 

issues, as collaboration takes time.

○ Listening to providers on the ground and seeking and receiving feedback are 

important to the working group’s continual forward-thinking efforts.

○ The IWGYP develops helpful products and resources (such as the website) with 

shared ownership across the membership. Such shared ownership helps people 

and agencies buy in to the products and makes it far more likely they will discuss 

and promote them to their constituencies and to the field.

● Build relationships and develop partnerships

○ Staff often call on working group members and quickly get routed to the right 

people or are able to obtain answers. Members can do the same with staff. 

Personal relationships spawn a lot of work that occurs.

○ Longstanding members are those who see the importance of this work. They are 

responsive and flexible both in their own jobs and in the collaborative process.

○ With the arrival of Dr. Hoffman as chair, the working group took the opportunity 

to reach out to partner agencies to determine how it could improve its support of 

their agency missions, and to ask what kinds of activities they would like to see it 

engage in.
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○ In addition to relationships between and among individuals, the IWGYP works to 

develop relationships between and among groups through presentations like this 

one and other opportunities to connect with various constituencies.

● Brief leadership and staff

○ The working group provides its members with the information they need to 

discuss the group and its work with their leadership.

○ Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to engaging leadership, the IWGYP 

considers its members the experts on how much, when, and how to do so, as they 

understand their individual office dynamics.

● Involve career staff

○ It is always important to involve career staff who have a long-term perspective 

and will likely step in to fill gaps when shifts occur during Presidential transitions, 

thereby providing continuity over time.

Strategic Plan: Pathways for Youth

Dr. Boyd explained that the IWGYP uses multiple strategies and models to move its work 

forward. For example, it has developed a common vision, and it has ensured it has a philosophy 

that guides its work and directs the actions it takes. The working group continually reflects on 

whether it is living up to the principles and practices it considers most important.

The working group has also developed its draft strategic plan, entitled “Pathways for Youth”. In 

the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, the IWGYP was directed to develop this plan as an 

overarching strategic plan for federal collaboration. The plan has been in draft for three years; it 

has been finalized this year and is being relaunched. The revised version will be posted to the 

website.

The strategic plan was the result of a very intensive input process. With additional funding in 

2009, the working group sought input, holding many listening sessions throughout the country 

with various stakeholders, including youth. IWGYP members spent much time and energy 

reflecting on the plan to ensure that it was responsive to agencies’ needs, missions, and priorities 

around providing programs and services for young people.

The feedback from internal partners and external stakeholders was integrated. Internally, the 

working group sent the strategic plan through a formal review and clearance process across 

interagency partners.

The IWGYP uses the strategic plan as its guide and as a vehicle for reflecting on whether the 

working group is living up to the values it has put forth as its guiding principles. 
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Pathways for Youth: Goals

Dr. Boyd noted that Pathways for Youth included a strengths-based vision and the following 

three goals:

● Collaboration and coordination

○ The IWGYP supports collaborative and coordinated efforts on the federal, state, 

local, and tribal levels.

■ It models collaboration and coordination at the federal level and provides 

resources and tools for promoting them at the state, local, and tribal levels.

● Evidence-based and innovative strategies 

○ The IWGYP provides information, resources, tools, and modeling around 

incorporating evidence-based, evidence-informed, and promising practices to 

support youth and young adults, especially as they transition into adulthood.

● Youth engagement and partnerships

○ The IWGYP continues to develop genuine, authentic, and meaningful experiences 

for young people to contribute to its work and to include their expertise.

■ Young people are experts in their own experiences, and they should have 

opportunities to inform the practices and processes undertaken at the 

federal level.

■ The goal is to replicate those opportunities at the state, local, and tribal 

levels.

The strengths-based vision for youth is:

● Youth have strong, positive, stable connections to family, peers, school, supportive 

adults, and community.

● Youth are recognized by their community for their strengths and are provided multiple 

opportunities for civic engagement, service, and leadership.

IGWYP: Philosophy

This year, the IWGYP has worked to be more explicit around the philosophies that guide its 

work. In that vein, the working group clearly stated that it wanted to use the Positive Youth 

Development (PYD) approach in all of its efforts.

PYD Approach

● Karen Pittman, President and CEO of The Forum for Youth Investment, says, “Problemfree does not equal fully prepared, and fully prepared is not fully engaged”.

● Young people are resources to be developed, not problems to be managed. Although the 

IWGYP has a particular focus on the most vulnerable youth – those at risk and in risk – it 

strives to emphasize the importance of prevention, preparation, and promotion. It also 

focuses on young people’s strengths and their potential to thrive. 

● Young people should be actively engaged in the programs, policies, and services that 

affect them.
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Dr. Boyd thanked Lisa Lauxman for providing her perspective from her experience of the 4-H 

Youth Development Program in their discussions. The IWGYP aspires to ensure it is engaging in 

work that is relevant to its 19 partner departments and agencies and their variety of priorities and 

demands. All want to serve young people but do it in myriad ways. The goal is to ensure that any 

activity of the working group has applicability to the departments and agencies being asked to 

engage in it. Focusing on and promoting PYD can be applied to any topic area that is important 

to one’s respective agency or department.

PYD Activities

Building on its principles, philosophy, and values, the IWGYP has engaged in the following 

activities relevant to the PYD discussion:

● Developing youth.gov PYD web content

○ The working group is continually revisiting and enhancing the content for PYD, 

which was one of the first of more than 25 youth topics on the website.

● Creating a cross-agency definition of PYD

○ The working group worked closely with colleagues at the USDA who led an 

IWGYP subgroup in this area.

○ The IWGYP spread the definition across the agencies to get their buy-in and 

approval, so they could then integrate it into their work, including funding 

opportunity announcements (FOAs).

○ The definition of PYD is: “Positive youth development is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, 

organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and 

constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances youths’ strengths; and promotes 

positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive 

relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership 

strengths.”

● Developing a research agenda on PYD

○ The IWGYP collaborated with colleagues at the USDA and with colleagues 

across the 19 partner agencies and departments to develop the PYD research 

agenda.

○ The agenda expands on the working group’s previous work and is a way to 

incorporate and make actionable all three goals of the strategic plan.

○ A goal of the agenda is for departments, agencies, and divisions therein to work 

together to create a more impactful effort, especially as numerous entities were 

already engaged in similar efforts to one another.

Purpose of Developing a Research Agenda

Other reasons the IWGYP felt that a research agenda would be a useful product include:

● Identifying research gaps in the literature
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● Creating a guide for students and researchers in academia to help them understand what 

the working group considers important issues relating to PYD

● Bridging research and practice more effectively

● Facilitating cohesion, coordination, and collaboration across its federal research goals and 

efforts

● Identifying more opportunities for collaboration at the federal, state, and/or local level, or 

among researchers and practitioners

● Improving the quality and rigor of research

● Assisting funders and partners in identifying their funding priorities

PYD Research Agenda Development

The IWGYP engaged in a consensus-building process in 2013 to develop the research agenda 

using the following methods, among others:

● Surveying working group members (federal staff)

○ The survey asked what the research agenda should look like and what key 

resources should be accessed and reviewed.

● Convening a two-day meeting of 16 working group departments and agencies

○ The federal staff thought through the development of the research agenda, 

breaking into small groups and creating and revisiting questions.

● Fielding additional surveys with the working group

● Developing a subgroup of active participants to better refine the research agenda’s focus.

The final research agenda has 10 questions that cover conceptual issues, data sources and 

indicators, as well as issues that refer or relate to program implementation and effectiveness.

IWGYP PYD Work: Next Steps

At this time, the IWGYP is engaged with external stakeholders and some internal partners 

around how to continue the work, and it has outlined five steps for doing so, with the goals of 

being more proactive than reactive and of building a foundation for the work. The working group 

is pursuing internal opportunities as well as opportunities for external dissemination and 

identifying partners in many sectors. It is currently developing an action team to develop a full 

dissemination plan.

Activities already underway are:

● Submitting a manuscript to a peer-reviewed publication with colleagues including Ms. 

Lauxman, a colleague at the National Academies, and a colleague at the American 

Institutes for Research; the manuscript, which is a description of PYD and the processes 

the working group undertook to develop the content, is under review.

● Disseminating the PYD research agenda

○ Presenting the research agenda to colleagues and those who generally work on 

services for youth
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○ Connecting with international colleagues through the U.S. Department of State, 

the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Peace Corps to 

share the research agenda

● Incorporating a PYD approach into agency materials

● Organizing a PYD briefing for an interagency youth homelessness group

● Developing PYD webcasts for training (connections, brain development)

● Updating youth.gov PYD content and creating a hub

Dr. Boyd explained that the strategic plan and research agenda are examples of the IWGYP’s 

work, and that they both align with the working group’s strategies for sustainability. She then 

provided contact information for the IWGYP staff:

Cheri.Hoffman@hhs.gov (Chair of IWGYP)

Michelle.Boyd@hhs.gov

Sarah.Oberlander@hhs.gov

Dr. Boyd suggested that anyone wanting to learn more about the activities visit youth.gov, and 

she encouraged members to sign up for the e-newsletter at the bottom of the front page of the 

website.

Administrator Listenbee thanked Drs. Oberlander and Boyd for their informative presentation 

and then opened the floor to questions.

Question-and-Answer Session

Question 1: Judge Trina Thompson

Judge Thompson asked the presenters to elaborate further on the connection with international 

colleagues.

Answer 1:

Dr. Boyd explained that the connections came about in an informal way through various 

interagency group meetings. The informal working group that focuses on international issues has 

been meeting and discussing these issues; a member of both that group and the IWGYP 

suggested to the IWGYP staff that it have more conversations with international colleagues who 

work on common issues such as educational and employment opportunities. The IWGYP has 

been working to develop a more formal relationship, and members of each working group attend 

the other group’s meetings. In January, the IWGYP held a meeting devoted to PYD and invited 

external stakeholders and international colleagues to attend; a July meeting will revisit to topic, 

and international colleagues again will be included.
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Question 2: David Esquith

Mr. Esquith asked what the IWGYP does to stay abreast of how youth, and those who work with 

young people, access information. He was specifically interested in the use of Twitter.

Answer 2:

Dr. Oberlander explained that youth.gov is aimed at those who work with youth. A separate, 

youth-facing site within youth.gov is Youth Engaged 4 Change. Understanding the ways in 

which youth engage – and knowing they are not visiting the website by typing in a URL – the 

IWGYP tweets on Twitter and posts on Facebook (its two major platforms) about new resources 

in order to drive youth to website content. The working group surveyed youth to learn what 

interests them and learned that young people want opportunities to give and get support. They 

also want to understand how they may engage with the federal government, including working as 

an intern, serving as a grant reviewer, or presenting at a meeting.

Dr. Boyd commented that the working group staff is currently submitting a proposal to add two 

interns as youth engagement consultants. Also, staff leverages the youth engagement expertise of 

some CYP Division contractors. 

Dr. Oberlander noted that, in their planning for the Summit on Preventing Youth Violence, CYP 

Division staff engage in group text chats with youth to learn how they communicate and wish to 

receive information.

Question 3: Larke Huang

Ms. Huang asked how the success of this work is measured.

Answer 3:

Dr. Oberlander explained that CYP Division staff are currently exploring how to be helpful 

while continuing the division’s work. Posting the final strategic plan to the website is a big factor 

in ensuring that, as it makes clear who they are and what they plan to do going forward. Many 

initiatives and activities can fit within the strategic plan goals, and this established group has 

worked together for some time. 

Question 4: Ms. Huang

Ms. Huang asked if the staff feels it has reached, and has strategies for, the most difficult and 

challenged youth.

Answer 4:

Dr. Boyd noted that, beyond the person-to-person partnerships it has developed, the CYP 

Division also focuses on group-to-group partnerships in order to reach the most vulnerable 

youth. The division has such a partnership with OJJDP which often focuses on justice-involved 

young people and those with re-entry-related issues. Also, the division supports the work of the 
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Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth (P3) by ensuring that partners’ 

information is disseminated and their activities are informed and reinforced.

Dr. Oberlander added her view that positive change has occurred as programs have steered away 

from avoiding helping young people below the threshold in order to demonstrate success through 

their indicators. However, more progress likely needs to happen in that arena. As well, more 

strategies need to be shared among programs. One example might be runaway and homeless 

youth providers sharing their knowledge about developing trust of adults in youth who have 

never had a trustworthy adult in their lives.

OPEN DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINING INTERAGENCY RELATIONSHIPS

Background

Administrator Listenbee initiated the Coordinating Council’s discussion on sustaining 

interagency relationships by providing the following background:

According to its charter, “[T]he function of the Coordinating Council shall be to 

coordinate federal juvenile delinquency programs (in cooperation with state and local 

juvenile justice programs)...The Council shall examine how the separate programs can be 

coordinated among federal, state, and local governments to better serve at-risk youth and 

juveniles.”

This meeting’s session was to be a discussion around sustaining the work and the relationships 

built over the last seven years. Many agencies have worked together on numerous initiatives, 

programs, projects, and events over that period of time. This coordination and collaboration has 

been effective and has helped to advance the priorities of OJJDP and DOJ. Administrator 

Listenbee gave some examples of those efforts to provide a touchstone for the discussion:

● The Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence issued a 

report that focused more attention on trauma experienced by children and called for 

making trauma-informed screening, assessment, and care the standard in juvenile justice 

services. It called for providing services to address the special circumstances of girls and 

of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. It also called for 

helping and not punishing child victims of sex trafficking.

● The report was presented to the Council in December 2012. Following that meeting, 

many agencies responded by expanding and enhancing their work around traumainformed care.

● Council members have effectively collaborated on defending childhood, and many 

agencies began to think about how to incorporate trauma-informed care into their work.

● Through the Council, members were able to share information and evidence from this 

report, which changed the way federal agencies approach the issue of trauma-informed 

care.
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● One of the report’s primary recommendations was to produce a report on American 

Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children’s exposure to violence. The Attorney General’s 

Advisory Committee on AI/AN Children Exposed to Violence subsequently produced a 

report, Ending Violence So Children Can Thrive; that report also was presented to the 

Council.

● Similarly, the Council presented the National Academy of Sciences report, Reforming 

Juvenile Justice: A Developmental Approach. Many federal agencies have supported this 

approach, and many in this meeting likely could share examples of how their agencies 

have incorporated the approach into all aspects of their work.

Sustainability Effort Report-Outs and Discussion

Administrator Listenbee explained that the conversation was to focus on how the Council can 

sustain the work that has begun and the relationships that have been established over the last 

seven years. He noted that the IWGYP has shared how it is working to sustain its efforts, and he 

asked Council members to share what their agencies have done to support initiatives such as the 

National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention (children’s exposure to violence) and the 

Supportive School Discipline Initiative (re-entry). He asked how agencies have supported 

activities such as the Second Chance Pell Grants; Beyond the Box guidance for institutions for 

higher education; the Clean Slate Clearinghouse; the HUD Juvenile Re-Entry Assistance 

Program; the Corporation for National Community Service; AmeriCorps; and HHS’s many 

programs, including its Office of Minority Health’s Minority Youth Violence Prevention: 

Integrating Public Health and Community Policing Approaches program. Administrator 

Listenbee opened the floor for discussion.

Alameda County, CA

Practitioner member Judge Thompson reported on activities meant to promote the Attorney 

General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence report, sharing that Alameda 

County involved itself in a number of youth-led practices in which youth directly participated as 

stakeholders.

Solano Community College

The Solano Community College Umoja Program – the goals of which include providing students 

with the knowledge, skills, and resources to make healthy life and lifestyle decisions and keeping 

students alive and free from violence, incarceration, unhealthy relationships, and drugs – has 

incorporated the showing of Wounded Places, a documentary about youth who have been 

exposed to violence.

The college has held four peace summits, one each semester, during which youth are sharing 

their personal stories with the support of social workers, HHS staff, and HUD staff. Judge 

Thompson shared one story of a student who had experienced severe violence and had dealt with 
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significant aftermath. One thing that has become clear is the collateral impact of violence on 

families, neighborhoods, and school systems.

The college incorporated Task Force initiatives into its curriculum; a summer learning institute 

was attended by faculty, staff, and counselors who impact students of various ethnicities 

attending the college. Judge Thompson asserted that opportunities are missed when youth who 

have experienced violence and trauma are not at the table to explain what they need.

Firefighters Academy

The Alameda County Fire Department started a program in which “wounded healers” –

previously system-involved young people – went through its firefighter academy and a 

mentoring program. In collaboration with the East Bay Community Law Center, many of those 

young people were able to get their records expunged in order to be able to become licensed 

firefighters and paramedics (documented in the film, “In the Red”). This illustrated what can 

happen when agencies work together in support of each other’s work; such relationships are not 

always obvious, natural ones. Judge Thompson remarked that collaboration takes time, and it is 

critical to “put boots on the ground” and do the work.

Youth Alive

This bicoastal collaboration with Drexel University involved engaging violence-involved youth 

in emergency rooms (ERs). Counselors began having conversations with the young people about 

getting out of gang violence, including learning what support was needed. Youth were invited 

and paid to participate in various studies; they were not outed and did not have to deal with the 

stigma from participating in conversations with mental health workers.

Now, Youth Alive is developing the START program for boys and men of color, which involves 

an app and other resources that support students’ self-care for post-traumatic stress. Judge 

Thompson noted that one of the fastest-growing populations is that of young people exposed to 

violence who have self-diagnosed and/or self-medicated for post-traumatic stress. She added that 

youth exposed to violence need immediate intervention in the form of mental health services.

Department of Education

Mr. Esquith remarked that these turbulent times, particularly in the field of education, challenge 

the sustainability of the many programs informed by the work of the Council. As the DOE Office 

of Safe and Healthy Students (OSHS) intends to sustain work done with the Council and looks 

forward to working with other agencies, it believes that the issues and common agenda will 

continue. The question is how to sustain the coordination of efforts, both on informal and formal 

bases.

DOE’s work with HHS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 

(SAMHSA), DOJ, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other agencies and 
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departments on a wide range of issues informs what Mr. Esquith’s office does every day. For 

example, OSHS is working very closely with, DHS, DOJ, and other agencies to keep students 

from becoming radicalized. In another example, DOE and DOJ very recently released guidance 

on transgender youth, and that has sent a wave throughout the world of education. 

Mr. Esquith asserted that the benefits from the input and perspectives of other agencies could not 

be more valuable. Regarding sustainability, he made the following points:

1. Department and agencies must share best practices and emerging issues in a thoughtful, 

highly candid, transparent way.

2. The best resources members can share are their knowledge and expertise. All of us have 

subject matter experts in agencies and in the field privately, and we need to share those 

connections across agencies.

Supportive School Discipline Initiative

At Administrator Listenbee’s request, Mr. Esquith shared information on the DOE/DOJ 

Supportive School Discipline Initiative. Former Attorney General Eric Holder and former DOE 

Secretary Arne Duncan clearly saw a national issue in the discipline, practices, and policies 

around the country that were leading to harsh discipline practices, suspensions, and expulsions 

that disproportionately affected youth from minority backgrounds. The two men and their staffs 

worked together to develop model policies and practices, engage stakeholders, and talk to other 

agencies. About two years ago, they released a set of recommendations in terms of best practices. 

DOE continues to work with DOJ and other agencies.

Around the country, school districts and state agencies are revisiting their discipline practices 

and policies with a shift toward keeping classrooms and school environments safe and orderly 

while ensuring that students stay in school and do not lose instructional time. The process is 

challenging and slow going, and significant progress will take years to achieve. However, 

already the initiative has significantly positively impacted lives of tens of thousands of youth 

around the country, as they spend more time in school and receive mental health services and 

needed supports to exist positively in a school environment and to achieve academically.

Mr. Esquith asserted that this initiative is a model of what can be achieved when agencies 

collaborate and sustain the work.

Department of the Interior

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais updated the Council on activities of the Department of the Interior 

(DOI).
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Internship Program

Ms. Andrews-Maltais reported that the DOI Bureau of Indian Affairs initiated a new youth intern 

program and is bringing in native students from around the country to work with the Bureau and 

throughout DOI. Interns will gain hands-on experience and have mentorship opportunities.

Native Youth Summit

This year, DOI is coordinating a native youth summit in conjunction with the White House 

Tribal Leaders Conference. The goal is to help tribal leaders and youth continue to develop and 

enhance relationships between the two groups.

Native One-Stop

Native One-Stop is a consolidation of programs offered throughout Indian Country by 17 federal 

agencies. Individuals, families, and tribes can learn online about all programs and services so 

they may determine their eligibility and gain access to resources and support systems. An 

initiative of DOI and the Department of Labor (DOL) and developed as part of the White House 

Tribal Youth Gathering, the site includes more than 80 different resources related to education, 

environment, health, economic assistance, and youth needs.

Cross-Departmental Initiative for Paraprofessionals

In development is a cross-departmental initiative for native and non-native students to work as 

paraprofessionals for historic and cultural preservation in various federal departments including 

the National Park Service, the Forest Service, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. 

The initiative provides focus and experience, and it is a career path and a leap ahead on 

employment opportunities. On top of that, such work provides a basis for recognition, 

understanding, respect, and protection of cultural and traditional resources.

Through the Executive Order of 2013, the President designated the White House Council on 

Native American Affairs; that body will transcend the transition of administrations and involve 

cross-departmental and cabinet collaboration for issues facing the country.

Discussion

Brent Cohen agreed with Mr. Esquith that the issues will sustain, noting that many of the 

current issues preceded the current administration. What he has found to be unique over the last 

two years is the way in which juvenile justice and criminal justice reform issues have been 

elevated into a national dialogue. From the information Judge Thompson shared about activities 

in Alameda County and the reports from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, DOI, and DOL, it is no 

longer unusual to hear agency secretaries speak about criminal justice reform and juvenile justice 

reform in very tangible ways.

Mr. Cohen, knowing how disruptive transitions can become, questioned how to continue the 

momentum and to ensure these issues remain elevated in agencies in which juvenile justice may 
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not be a core issue. He wondered how to maintain justice-involved youth and juvenile justice as 

a core issue within these agencies, and he asked how the Council can be a vehicle for doing so in 

terms of interagency cooperation.

Richard Morris expressed his concern about maintaining movement that is barely in place. 

What can we do proactively to anticipate change? Perhaps there could be value in performing a 

gap analysis. Agencies need to identify needs and share them with partnering agencies. Mr. 

Morris is curious about the impact of the loss of appointees in future administrations, and he 

wonders whether and how agencies can anticipate what that might occur and ways to potentially 

circumvent the impact. There is value in tangibly demonstrating to the public and to federal 

lawmakers the interconnectivity of agencies; he suggested a possible visual campaign that could 

include things such as a common logo or brand that expresses commonality around PYD. 

Mr. Morris noted that DOL must be careful in its distribution of finite funds. It often finds itself 

unable, for example, to consider training around substance abuse and mental health as an 

allowable expenditure. This frustrates grantees, who then need to go through a referral system to 

find resources to satisfy that requirement. Including that training as an allowable expenditure, as 

DOL is doing with a recent demonstration project, reflects heightened sensitivity to satisfying 

that requirement.

Practitioner member Laurie Garduque of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation 

was pleased to hear about the PYD framework, as it is helpful to have a constructive and 

unifying presentation. She asserted that the best way to achieve impact and attain measurable 

outcomes is by pooling the resources of federal agencies. Those resources include research, 

knowledge development, model demonstration programs, and evidence-based practices; pooled, 

they can inform workforce development and leadership cultivation. Ms. Garduque explained the 

frustration of dealing with agencies that only can do practice or model demonstration programs 

when what exists is the concurrent need for new knowledge development and lack of agency 

resources for such. 

Ms. Garduque purported that the discussion must go beyond the framework to ways in which 

agencies’ resources can be combined around a shared sense of purpose. The reality is that 

agencies’ resources are limited and continuing to shrink, so the need exists to determine how to 

use them more effectively and efficiently to create a greater impact. While some joint efforts –

including the adverse childhood effects and trauma reports, and the DOJ/DOE work on school 

discipline – have been useful in elevating the issues, Ms. Garduque sees them as on the decline 

due to a lack of champions outside of the government. While public awareness and the initial hit 

of convenings and conferences are useful, she proposed the need to think about using the 

agencies’ focus on the issues and about deciding what partnerships are needed, whether with 

private philanthropy or with some of the key professional, policy, and stakeholder groups. The 

MacArthur Foundation has been struggling with the same issues as it exits juvenile justice, and it 
20

has made a concerted effort to engage strategic allies; the consumers, users, and clients of its 

work have become important in amplifying the messages and in spreading and diffusing best 

practices by guiding state and local agencies to shift resources to support performance and 

success.

The MacArthur Foundation has created alliances with such groups as the Council of State 

Governments, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the National 

Center of State Courts, the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, the National Legal Aid & 

Defender Association, and juvenile defenders organizations, and it has hosted their briefings and 

workshops at MacArthur conferences. Allies such as these want existing resources to be spent 

more effectively and efficiently.

Ms. Garduque asserted that those types of alliances can capitalize on the agencies’ work while 

creating political allies to sustain this new way of thinking about problems and moving forward. 

She asserted that it is a lack of support, not a lack of knowledge and information that keeps 

people from taking systemic approaches or from changing policies and practices.

Finally, Ms. Garduque noted that adults often rely on their professional member organizations 

for their learning.

Larke Huang remarked that it is crucial to carefully choose partnerships and to understand how 

a particular partner becomes value added. For example, SAMHSA is not a large delivery system 

and lives in other delivery systems to help them reach their goals. Ms. Huang noted the 

importance of using and sharing data, giving the example of the school discipline work being 

directly informed by data coming from the schools. She pointed out that partnerships around data 

are difficult as they relate to ownership and sharing, and she asserted that new partners with 

expertise around data are needed, as data are key to the sustainability of efforts.

Ms. Huang reported that SAMHSA was recently part of a data-driven justice initiative analyzing 

data in the justice system and in the behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse system 

with technology experts. Those experts recommended that the agencies deal with the policy 

issues, such as confidentiality and privacy, while the technology professionals handle the 

technical issues around sharing data and developing reports.

Ms. Huang noted successful federal partnerships, thanks to the Council and the IWGYP, both of 

which have given members personal connections in other agencies for doing this work. She 

expressed the need to broaden into the private sector, including foundations and new business 

models around connecting resources with those who need them (á la Uber). New funding is not 

always necessary. The SAMHSA Office of Behavioral Health Equity currently is working with 

counties on how to redeploy their funds around the issues with which it is concerned.
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Finally, Ms. Huang noted the benefit of partners in different arenas learning each other’s 

language. 

At Administrator Listenbee’s request, Ms. Huang elaborated on the types of partnerships in 

which her office has engaged. She reiterated that solid federal partnerships have been developed, 

adding the importance of keeping those at the career staff level so as not to lose them when 

administrations change. Beyond that, an entire arena exists of technology experts who want to 

solve problems. Ms. Huang sees them as an untapped resource.

Ms. Huang also commented that many consumers are becoming specialists who are strategic in 

their training and in garnering political will. The youth voice is really developing, and young 

people provide true strategic thinking from their experience navigating through systems.

Partnering with municipalities at the state and county level is important; while those 

relationships are often about funding, there are other ways to partner as well.

Sarah Wattenberg was pleased to hear about the partnership on youth, as she sees the need to 

bring youth to the table; in order to have someone in meetings who can articulate on the issues 

and be persuasive at the policy level, the Council needs to create that community. One large 

success in the substance use domain is that young people in recovery have coalesced and have 

learned policy issues in the past five years. Facilitating these groups helps to create a next 

generation of leaders who can carry the message across federal agencies, because they become 

part of stakeholder groups and the fabric of the exchange that takes place among federal partners. 

These youth are excellent message amplifiers and champions of change. Additionally, 

stakeholders’ footwork helps to carry the message across administrations.

Ms. Wattenberg advocated for pulling in youth and helping them to become part of the 

consensus-building, adding that, once they have coalesced, the White House Office of National 

Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) can find platforms for them. She reported that a live-streamed 

event from the White House by a small group of youth in recovery had one of the broadest, 

widest reaches and received significant public media attention.

From a technical federal policy perspective, ONDCP develops national U.S. government efforts 

through its drug strategies, which include the National Drug Control Strategy, the Prescription 

Drug Strategy, the Southern Border Strategy, and the Northern Border Strategy. These force 

those in the federal government to think through their nexus to all other departments and 

agencies. Such reflection is crucial, as most of our issues intersect with most of each others’ 

issues. ONDCP welcomes participation in the development of government-wide consensus 

strategies.
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Regarding the discussion around data, Ms. Wattenberg noted that the HUD Housing First model 

– an approach to quickly and successfully connecting individuals and families experiencing 

homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry – is permitting 

recovery housing to be an allowable expense. This creates data about demand. 

Administrator Listenbee next solicited comments from those on the phone, and Judge Gordon 

Martin, Jr. offered his congratulations to Judge Thompson on her exceptional work in Alameda 

County.

At Administrator Listenbee’s request, Lisa Lauxman reflected on and highlighted what she 

found pertinent in the meeting discussion. She views efforts through the lens of connection, 

competency, and capacity, and she noted that the USDA regularly leverages resources.

The USDA houses, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) supports, the 

Cooperative Extension System, which operates in 31 counties across the U.S. That work 

provides consistent opportunities to consider how to connect and disseminate information. Ms. 

Lauxman advocated for continuing to think about youth and adults as partners and stakeholders. 

She added the value she sees in PYD having become entrenched as a philosophy and the benefit 

of continuing to move it forward.

Rachel Frier pointed out that today’s young people are very accustomed to speaking for 

themselves and to accessing information. We are in an age of social media, of social 

engagement, and of sharing and promoting ideas. That openness needs to be harnessed through 

social media and other technological tools. Ms. Frier shared that children with whom DHS is 

engaging in its immigration and customs enforcement work show far less fear than might be 

expected of them because of their comfort and ability in accessing information. Asking youths’ 

opinions and allowing them to participate in the formation of strategy and message would greatly 

benefit agencies.

John Kelly expressed his appreciation of this brainstorm session in anticipation of the fall 

meeting, when team members will share concrete ideas about sustainability. Currently, the 

Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) is engaged in internal discussions about 

engaging career staff around youth engagement regarding initiatives CNCS launched through the 

support of this Council and other administration initiatives focused on youth. While the agency is 

small and is siloed by funding stream, it has formed new working teams focused around its 

place-based efforts. Many of its investments, including in the Promise Zones and with the Youth 

Violence Prevention Forum, are very focused on youth strategies. CNCS is also establishing 

three- and five-year agreements to support initiatives related to its AmeriCorps VISTA 

(Volunteers In Service To America) investments. 
23

Mr. Kelly noted that CNCS has had the opportunity to develop interagency partnerships with 

several Council member agencies, specifically with OJJDP around the outstanding Youth 

Opportunity AmeriCorps program. Between now and the fall, CNCS would welcome offline 

conversations about continuing such relationships.

Regarding partnering with stakeholders, CNCS has been working with a core network and with 

the National Summer Learning Association on a pilot, three-year initiative around summer 

opportunities focused on youth. The Service set aside $15 million and put in place, and is 

building on, two three-year agreements. During the summer, CNCS would appreciate input by 

Council members on how best to draw down the funds.

Mr. Cohen expressed the importance of internally identifying champions within agencies for the 

population of youth in order to elevate and continue this conversation. Also, we need to identify 

external champions, whether they be from philanthropy, organizations, or other entities.

Administrator Listenbee thanked the group for this dynamic conversation. He explained that 

one more meeting of the Council will take place prior to the change in administration, likely in 

the fall and scheduled at a time when Attorney General Lynch is most able to be present, subject 

to her schedule. He charged every member with analyzing how to sustain the interagency 

relationships and work that that have begun – what you have done to date and what steps you 

plan to take. Mr. Slowikowski will work closely with members and their teams during the 

summer. One of the goals of the fall meeting is to have five or six agencies provide 10-minute 

reports. Also, agencies are asked to submit written reports even if they will not present in that 

meeting.

Administrator Listenbee emphasized that what Council members say and do really matters. He 

shared that, when he was in field prior to holding his current position, he read Council reports 

and focused on changes in juvenile justice. Across the nation, people are looking to the Council 

for leadership and guidance.

COORDINATING COUNCIL MEMBER UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Department of Labor

Mr. Morris reported on activities being undertaken by DOL:

1. In collaboration with DOJ, DOL is in the process of launching the National Clean Slate 

Clearinghouse, which will provide technical assistance to local legal aid programs, public 

defender offices, and re-entry service providers to build capacity for legal services that 

are needed to assist with record-cleaning, expungement, and related civil legal services. 

The launch should take place within the next two months.
24

2. In conjunction with the Department of Defense (DoD), DOL continues to support the 22-

week National Guard Youth ChalleNGe program and the recently introduced additional 

five-month job challenge program. The added component provides court-involved youth 

with vocational and educational training, including technical skills that will lead to 

specific jobs.

3. DOL is currently rolling out GetMyFuture.org, a mobile-friendly, one-stop website to 

help youth plan their careers, explore education and training options, and search and 

apply for jobs. The website will roll out in late June.

4. N.B. The url for Workforce3.1, the premier website sponsored by DOL’s Employment 

and Training Administration, has been changed to WorkforceGPS.org. 

5. Grants announcements that will be announced within 10 days include:

a. Pathways to Justice Careers for Youth

i. This will combine case management, mentoring, career exploration, and 

exploration of World of Work models, particularly in the fields of justice 

and emergency service for in-school youth ages 16 to 21.

b. Re-entry demonstration projects for young adults

i. For the first time, applicants have been asked to focus on statements of 

objectives and to direct the solutions, as opposed to statements of work 

that fit in the DOL’s stated solutions.

ii. The grant will introduce allowable costs, particularly in the areas of 

mental health and substance abuse.

c. DOL is continuing to support Linking to Employment Activities Pre-release 

(LEAP) by funding Specialized American Job Centers (AJCs) at a second round 

of correctional facilities.

i. The work will engage people prior to their release.

d. DOL will again provide training to grantees supporting individuals already 

engaged in work-release programs to ensure a seamless transition from prerelease to post-release life.

MacArthur Foundation

Ms. Garduque reported that in April the MacArthur Foundation announced $25 million worth of 

grants to 20 local jurisdictions that comprised the Safety and Justice Challenge, MacArthur’s 

initiative to support local criminal justice systems reform with the interest of reducing mass 

incarceration where it begins, which is in the misuse and unnecessary use of jails. The grants 

ranged in size from $1.5 million to $3.5 million over two years; in addition, the jurisdictions will 

receive training and technical assistance and support.

The MacArthur Foundation is also looking to expand the Safety and Justice Challenge network 

by establishing an innovation fund with the Urban Institute supporting smaller projects related to 

criminal justice reform at the front end. That fund will be announced in the fall.
25

Ms. Garduque will report at the fall meeting on lessons learned through the MacArthur 

Foundation’s work on the Models for Change initiative, which provided close to $160 million for 

juvenile justice reform. The program evaluation was conducted by Mathematica, and MacArthur 

is in the process of writing up the final reports. Ms. Garduque will also share an evaluation done 

by Grassroots Solutions on the Foundation’s National Campaign to Reform State Juvenile Justice 

Systems. 

Department of Education

Mr. Esquith reported that, on August 12, Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention will organize 

the final Federal Bullying Prevention Summit of this administration, to be held at DOE. Special 

emphases will be on the transgender students, Muslim students, and students with disabilities. 

Also, DOE will make $5 million worth of grants in 2016 to help school districts and 

communities address significant civil unrest. These will be done in coordination with similar 

grants from SAMHSA.

SAMHSA

Following Mr. Esquith’s report, Ms. Huang shared that that SAMHSA will award up to 11 cities 

exposed to civil unrest; the program is known as RECAST (Resiliency in Communities After 

Stress and Trauma) and has a strong focus on youth violence prevention and trauma work in 

communities through a network of participants. As Mr. Esquith had reported, SAMHSA’s grants 

will be linked with the DOE effort.

At the end of June, SAMHSA will run its final National Policy Academy, this one on financing 

services for diverted youth, with the MacArthur Foundation and OJJDP. 

Ms. Huang reported that, after a jointly funded MacArthur Foundation/SAMHSA juvenile justice 

policy academy, three states produced a document entitled Strengthening Our Future: Key 

Elements to Developing a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice Diversion Program for Youth with 

Behavioral Health Conditions.

Department of Health and Human Services

Jennifer Burnszynski reported that, on June 29, HHS and OJJDP, will co-host a listening session 

with approximately 20 youths ages 16-24 who have an incarcerated parent.

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Administrator Listenbee announced that OJJDP is working with partners on the National Forum 

on Youth Violence Prevention, which will take place June 27-29 in Baltimore, MD.
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MEETING SUMMARY AND WRAP-UP

Administrator Listenbee expressed gratitude to the meeting’s participants joining in person and 

via webcast; Dr. Boyd and Dr. Oberlander for their presentation; and staff members Melissa 

Kanaya, Scott Peton, Yasmin Hines, and Dionne Word. He thanked Paul Filatreault and Juan 

Sutton for room setup and technical support. Finally, he expressed appreciation to the OJJDP 

staff who helped usher in the Council members to the building that day.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 a.m.