Center for Youth Justice, Georgetown University

08/28/2026

This is exciting! The space looks amazing. Don't miss this amazing event in October!

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

It's been a busy summer, and hard to believe that September is right around the corner! We're just catching up with all the trips and conferences our team has been a part of.

Last month, our own Macon Stewart and Alexandra Miller had the opportunity to host the "Blending Efforts from the Bench: Establishing Multi-Angled Collaboration to Support Crossover Youth" at the 2026 Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges Annual Meeting alongside Tracy Fehrenbach and Beverly Schulterbrandt.

It was so great to be with Tracy and Beverly in-person, as well as have some great conversations with all the conference participants. Thanks so much to the hosts for creating such an open space for collaboration!

https://cyj.georgetown.edu/news/blending-efforts-from-the-bench-establishing-multi-angled-collaboration-to-support-crossover-youth/

08/27/2026

Developmental science and research evidence shows that diverting young people from formal court processing can help lead to dramatically better outcomes for communities and youth and halts the cascading harms that come from deeper system engagement. However, shifting to diversion as the default pathway for youth who come into contact with the legal system requires multidisciplinary teams across systems to work together to create equitable, effective, and sustainable strategies.

Our Diversion in Youth Justice Certificate Program held in Washington, D.C. from November 17-20, is a four-day, in-person intensive is designed to do just that: it brings together court leaders, educators, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, and community-based partners to reimagine and expand the use of diversion in youth justice. Participants will leave with actionable next steps tailored to their local context, along with 12 months of individualized technical assistance to support implementation.

Applications to join now open through September 30th!

Learn more.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN! Work with jurisdictions across the country to implement sustainable and effective strategies that reimagine and expand the role of diversion.  The Diversion in Youth Justice Certificate Program is a four-day, in-person intensive designed to help multidisciplinary team...

08/27/2026

Don't miss this amazing conference!!!! Seriously, the FOMO on this will be strong after registration closes!

Regular Registration closes in 3 days, August 29th!

Theme: Together Toward Opportunity: Youth Centered. Community Driven
Location: Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Dates: October 13–15, 2026

We hope to see you there!

Register now: https://ow.ly/uGSX50ZBCr3

08/27/2026

08/27/2026

This is really cool. Our own Marc Schindler joined the amazing podcast Hittin' The Bricks With Kathleen alongside Rebba Omer of the Georgetown Juvenile Justice Initiative to talk about our Forgotten Children Initiative and what happens when historical research into youth prisons leads to the discovery of children buried in neglected and forgotten cemeteries.

We highly recommend you listen not only to this latest episode (just released 8/25!), but subscribe to her podcast. It's a genealogy podcast that features your questions and her answers, exploring the records, places, and historical context that help families uncover difficult and forgotten stories.

Episode OverviewHittin' the Bricks with Kathleen is the genealogy podcast that features your questions and her answers, exploring the records, places, and historical context that help families uncover difficult and forgotten stories.In this episod...

08/27/2026

Please check out this article by Mary Alice Ginther in the Atlanta Black Star about the Maryland Commission on House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children featuring Vincent Schiraldi and Phyllis Hammond, the niece of Amos Hammond, who was buried at the site when he was a boy. Attention like this from incredible reporters, advocates, and family members will ensure that these children will not be forgotten, again.

You can learn more about the work being led by Marc Schindler and our Forgotten Children Initiative at the McCourt School of Public Policy - Georgetown University to research and connect with living family members like Phyllis, restore dignity to the children's memories, tell their stories, and make sure this never happens again: https://cyj.georgetown.edu/forgotten-children/

https://atlantablackstar.com/2026/08/23/hundreds-of-black-children-buried-in-unmarked-graves/

A group of lawmakers, local leaders, and citizens are working to investigate hundreds of graves at the site of a former Maryland juvenile detention

08/25/2026

Our September 10th America's Youth Justice Forum with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. is around the corner and it's shaping up to be something memorable.

While we're biased, we think the day is going to be pretty special. Outside of the all-star panels you can learn more about below, the event will weave together performances by incredible musical artists, a premiere a short documentary, an author interview, and showcase how transformative art and truth-telling can be.

About those panels... we are astounded by the talent, intellect, and heart that fills them:

In “The Forgotten Children of Youth Justice’s Past” session, we’ll unearth a forgotten, painful past, and survey the work underway to bring dignity to those who our society has literally buried in unmarked sites in a panel that includes Marc Schindler, Erin Kimmerle, Phyllis Hammond, Tyrone Walker, and Dorothy Givens.

We’ll examine the narratives prevalent today about youth in the “American Youth Justice Narratives: Perspectives of the Media, Policy-Makers, and Communities” in an all-star panel that includes Emmy-winning journalist Michel Martin of NPR Morning Edition, Ramon Ramos of The Exception, Vincent Schiraldi of McCourt School of Public Policy - Georgetown University, Liz Ryan, and Michael Umpierre.

In the “Reimagining the Next Chapter of America’s Youth Justice Story” session, attendees will hear about the inspiring efforts of those working tirelessly to create practices that are restorative, just, and lead to better futures, including Clinton Lacey and Sonnja Brown.

We hope you can join us.
https://america-youth-justice-story.eventbrite.com/

08/20/2026

We are in the depths of planning for our September 10th forum with Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.!

We think the day is going to be pretty special, and come together into a meaningful experience. We are astounded by the talent, intellect, and heart that fills our plenary panels, including “The Forgotten Children of Youth Justice’s Past,” “American Youth Justice Narratives: Perspectives of the Media, Policy-Makers, and Communities,” and “Reimagining the Next Chapter of America’s Youth Justice Story."

Outside of the panels, we''ll have performances by incredible musical artists, premiere a short documentary, and host an author interview.

We hope you can join us.
https://america-youth-justice-story.eventbrite.com/