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Eight Scott County officials named Juvenile Justice Reform Fellows

January 12, 2016

Davenport, January 12, 2016—The eight members of the Scott County, Iowa, team formed to reduce racial and ethnic disparity in the juvenile courts were recently named Juvenile Justice Reform Fellows by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR). The members of the multi-jurisdictional, collaborative team attended a Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparity certificate program in August 2015 and were admitted to the CJJR Fellows Network December 2015.

The Scott County team's project, Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparity in Juvenile Justice, offers first-time offending youth charged with a non-traffic, simple misdemeanor, the option to attend a diversion class instead of being drawn into the juvenile justice system. The classes meet three times a month at a Davenport school or the YMCA and focus on corrective thinking, making better choices, and understanding values, attitudes and how behavior affects a person's future.

"This project seeks to implement a diversion program for first-time youth offenders, teaching youth healthy decision making and communication skills," said Shay Bilchick, Director of CJJR "This project has the potential to keep youth from being further involved in the juvenile justice system, thereby reducing recidivism and improving public safety."

Team members are:

  • Hon. Cheryl Traum, District Associate Judge
  • Lori Frick, Eastern Service Area Manager at the Iowa Department of Human Services
  • Latrice Lacey, Executive Director of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission
  • Molli Nickerson, Coordinator at Scott County Kids
  • Shawn Roth, Supervisor at the Davenport Police Department
  • Robert Scott, Executive Director at Davenport Schools
  • David Tristan, Juvenile Court Supervisor for Juvenile Court Services
  • Julie Walton, Assistant Scott County Attorney.

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform located at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy advances a balanced, multi-systems approach to reducing juvenile delinquency that promotes positive child and youth development while also holding youth accountable. The Center works to focus on the nation's juvenile justice and related systems of care on the key principles embodied in an evidence-based juvenile justice reform agenda utilizing a multi-systems approach.

Learn more about the CJJR Fellows Network.

For More Information:

Molli Nickerson, (563) 326-8221,or molli.nickerson@scottcountyiowa.com

 

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