Local sites and partners
In addition to the four core Models for Change states, the Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network includes four other states selected for their commitment to reform.
The eight Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network states are listed below with a link to read more about their participation in the network:
California
Coordinated by: Youth Law Center
200 Pine Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94104
415-543-3379
The California project team represents an unprecedented collaboration that includes the Youth Law Center, Administrative Office of the Courts’ Center for Families, Children and the Courts; the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center; the Loyola Law School Center for Juvenile Law and Policy; the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office; the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office; and long time leaders in the juvenile defense community.
The state was selected to participate in the Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network for its demonstrated commitment to improving juvenile indigent defense policy and practice; its ability to bring together critical decision makers and stakeholders; and its readiness to work with other Network members to implement change and provide leadership to other states. Using the Pacific Juvenile Defender Center as its nucleus, the team will expand the existing juvenile defense community through outreach to defenders in California's 58 counties and elevate juvenile defense practice through the development of practice materials, targeted trainings, and initiatives directed at implementing practice standards for juvenile defense. Read more in an August 29, 2008 release from the San Francisco Office of the Public Defender.
Florida
Coordinated by: Barry University School of Law
6441 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32807
321-206-5750
The Florida project team is lead by The Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) at the Barry University Dwayne O. Andres School of Law in Orlando in partnership with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. The JJC works to create dramatic reform in the juvenile justice field in Florida with an emphasis on improvements in the quality of representation of children in the delinquency system, lasting positive impacts in legislation, and a vision that juvenile delinquency representation is a specialized discipline. Collaboration with other Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network states and the National Juvenile Defender Center will help increase these efforts. Read more in the December 8, 2008 announcement by Barry University.
Illinois
Coordinated by: Bluhm Legal Clinic-Children and Family Justice Center
Northwestern University School of Law
357 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
312-503-1492
The Illinois team is comprised of representatives from the Civitas ChildLaw Center, a clinical program at the Loyola University School of Law; the Children and Family Justice Center, a clinical program at the Northwestern University School of Law; the Illinois Office of the State Appellate Defender; the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender; the Juvenile Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County; and the Juvenile Justice Initiative, a statewide advocacy organization dedicated to the promotion of rational and effective juvenile justice policies.
Bringing to bear a variety of perspectives on the Illinois juvenile justice system, the team also strives to maintain a strong emphasis on — and connection to — front line defenders and to coordinate Juvenile Indigent Defense work with other Models for Change efforts, including the Mental Health Juvenile Justice Action Network and the work of the Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee.
Louisiana
Coordinated by: Louisiana Public Defender Board
500 Laurel Street, Suite 530,
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
225-219-9337
With Models for Change already underway in Louisiana as a core state, the state's Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network team is well-positioned to have an impact in its identified areas of work. Led by the Louisiana Public Defender Board, other team members include: the General Counsel of the Office of Juvenile Justice, the director of the Children’s Cabinet, a member of the Governor of Louisiana’s cabinet, academicians, and representatives from Juvenile Regional Services and the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana.
Massachusetts
Coordinated by: The Youth Advocacy Project
The Committee for Public Counsel Services
Ten Malcolm X Boulevard, Suite 202
Roxbury, MA 02119
617-989-8117
Massachusetts takes great pride in being one of the few states in the country with a statewide juvenile court and court clinic, specialized juvenile probation officers, and a youth authority long considered a national model. The stakeholders in the system appreciate that a juvenile justice system can only be fair and effective if all of the critical disciplines are functioning at a high level. For this reason, representatives from the Judiciary, Probation, Department of Youth Services, Executive Office of Health and Human Services, legislature, Mass Bar Association, foundation community, community-based organizations, and the juvenile defense bar have all come together to participate in a structured, collaborative process to determine and implement strategic innovations in the delivery of effective advocacy for young people facing delinquency and youthful offender charges.
The group recognizes that well trained and resourced advocates play a critical role in making sure that every child is treated fairly and also has the best opportunity to benefit from the court process. These advocates are well-positioned to connect vulnerable youth to important social support systems that promote life success and reduce chronic court involvement. Additionally, CPCS, the state’s public defender agency, through its Youth Advocacy Project, is well-positioned to play a leadership role in juvenile justice reform given its expertise and ability to engage system stakeholders, decision-makers, and others who will share in shaping and championing the reform efforts.
New Jersey
Coordinated by: Rutgers-Camden School of Law
217 North 5th Street, Room 605
Camden, NJ 08102
856-225-6646
New Jersey is one of a small number of states with a statewide public defender system; in juvenile delinquency cases, staff attorneys represent children from the point of assignment through disposition and the appeal process. Participation in the action network will provide the state a unique opportunity to examine and develop creative models to build the capacity to enter cases earlier and to ensure that dispositional orders of the court are fulfilled thereby furthering the rehabilitative goals of the delinquency system. The Offices of the Public Defender, Rutgers School of Law in Camden and Rutgers School of Law in Newark will collaborate with juvenile justice stakeholders in New Jersey to examine and to develop models for representation of indigent juveniles at all stages of juvenile justice proceedings. Read more in a December 9, 2008 announcement by Rutgers University.
Pennsylvania
Coordinated by: Defender Association of Philadelphia
1441 Sansom Street, Suite 1009
Philadelphia, PA 19102
267-765-6685
As the first state Models for Change core state, the Pennsylvania team is a highly experienced and competent group of professionals who represent a broad range of juvenile indigent defense issues and interests. The team consists of public defenders, probation officers and a member of the judiciary. With a commitment to increasing stakeholder involvement, and working in close partnership with Juvenile Law Center, Pennsylvania is uniquely suited to conduct Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network work in the state.
Washington
Coordinated by: TeamChild
1225 S. Weller St. Suite 420
Seattle, WA 98144
206-322-2444, ext 107
Washington is one of four Models for Change core states. Many members of the Washington delegation have significant experience as practitioners and understand the importance of providing a zealous defense guided by the expressed interests of the youth. Led by George Yeannakis, the special counsel at TeamChild, and with the involvement of the Center for Youth & Family Justice, Washington’s team has geographical and experiential depth, as well as a multi-disciplinary viewpoint.