YSAN (Youth-Serving Agencies Network)

Hey YSAN Friends! Here are the notes AI took during our meeting yesterday. It was great to see you!

Meeting Purpose

Monthly YSAN meeting to discuss juvenile justice system updates, share partner organization updates, and hear a presentation on the Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice report.

Key Takeaways

• The Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice released a report with recommendations for improving the juvenile justice system, including smaller facilities, increased sentencing alternatives, and early intervention programs.

• Federal funding uncertainties are impacting juvenile justice programs and partner organizations, but most are continuing "business as usual" while closely monitoring the situation.

• Partner organizations shared updates on various youth-focused programs, including dental clinics, skateboarding initiatives, art projects in detention facilities, and library volunteer opportunities.

Topics

Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice Report

• Report released in November/December 2024, 160 pages long

• Key findings:

• Pandemic accelerated reduction in juvenile arrests (2020-2021)

• Violent crime did not increase during the pandemic

• Data quality issues with ethnicity reporting in some counties

• New responses to status offenders showing effects

• Recommendations:

1. Eliminate large institutional facilities, create smaller care and custody facilities

2. Increase use of sentencing alternatives, eliminate "justice by geography"

3. Establish diversion as primary response for majority of juvenile referrals

4. Dismantle school-to-prison pipeline, strengthen cradle-to-career pathway

Federal Funding Uncertainties

• Potential threats to federal funding for juvenile justice programs

• Office of Juvenile Justice continuing "business as usual" while monitoring situation

• Encouraging funded programs to bill monthly instead of quarterly

• Two potential scenarios: stopping new funding or attempting to reclaim already awarded funds

Partner Organization Updates

• TeamChild: Working on systemic policy advocacy, including Senate Bill 5296

• Schools Out Washington: Upcoming trainings, including support for transgender youth

• Bryant Neighborhood Center: Dental clinic day on Monday for youth 0-20

• Puget Sound Educational Service District: Developing collaborative leadership teams for school safety

• Hilltop Artists: Open applications for middle school after-school program

• Alchemy Skateboarding: Signups open for Salt Session 3, developing new "Grind Sessions" program

• Locals Leading Our Children Off Streets: Art therapy and music programs in detention facilities

• Pierce County Library: Summer reading program and teen volunteer opportunities upcoming

Next Steps

• Partners to review and consider collaboration opportunities shared during updates

• Interested organizations to contact Connie at IJP about AmeriCorps host site partnerships

• Taylor from Alchemy Skateboarding to reach out to Javier about skateboard art donations

• Partners to monitor federal funding situation and prepare for potential impacts

• Kaitlan to post meeting notes on YSAN page