The New Yorker. July 28, 1997, p. 40

Positive Youth Development

Practical Definition

A simple set of concepts and strategies that help adults better understand

and support youth in developing the personal, social, academic and

citizenship competencies necessary for adolescence and adult life based on their capacities, strengths, and

formative needs.

Borrowed from The Medical Foundation, BEST Initiative

The Five Domains

Physical & Mental Health

Nurturing/Positive Relationships

Safe Places to Live and Learn

Educational and Economic Opportunity

Structured Activities & Civic Participation

Positive Youth Outcomes

Problem Free Outcomes – Not having a negative occurrence

(e.g., no arrests)

Achievement Outcomes – Positive successes (e.g., honor roll, learning a skill)

Developmental Outcomes – Overall healthy development

Problem-free/Prevention Achievement • Earning a High

School Diploma

• Getting a Job

• Passing the

MCAS

• Earning a

certificate of

completion

• Not doing drugs

• Not stealing a car

• Not getting pregnant

• Not joining a gang

Examples of Outcomes

Examples of Developmental Outcomes

Identity- related

• Safety & Structure

• Self-Worth

• Mastery & Future

• Belonging & Membership

• Responsibility & Autonomy

• Self-Awareness & Spirituality

Ability-related

• Physical Health

• Mental Health

• Intellectual Ability

• Employability

• Civic & Social Ability

• Cultural Ability

Positive Youth Outcomes

Achievement Outcomes

Problem Free Developmental

Outcomes Outcomes

Kids who can do well

will do well

Fairness

• [R]ecent studies… suggest that the appearance as

well as the actuality of fairness, impartiality and

orderliness -- in short, the essentials of due process

-- may be a more impressive and more therapeutic

attitude so far as the juvenile is concerned. For

example, in a recent study, the sociologists Wheeler

and Cottrell observe that, when the procedural

laxness of the "parens patriae" attitude is followed

by stern disciplining, the contrast may have an

adverse effect upon the child, who feels that he has

been deceived or enticed.

• In re Gault, 387 U.S. 1 (1967)

Role of Defense Counsel

• Zealous Legal Advocacy

• Nurturing Adult

– High Clear and Fair Expectations

– Maximum Participation

– Caring and supportive

• Five Domains

YDA in an Adversarial System

Problem Free

Outcomes

Developmental

Outcomes

Achievement

Outcomes

Best Possible

Life Outcomes

Legal Team - Zealous Advocacy

- Youth Development Approach

- Nurturing Adult - Care & Support

- Expectations

- Participation

Litigation

Short Term

Long Term

Best Possible

Legal Outcome

f

YDA Domains

Health

Safety

Relationships

Education/Work

Community

Assistant Director Priscilla Duffy

Director Josh Dohan

Youth Advocacy Foundation

Administrative Assistants: (shared by all directors)

Theresa Flaherty, Christina Liwski, and Huong Vo

Juvenile Justice Policy

Trial Panel Director

Erica Cushna

Director of Social Work

Jessica Edwards

Director of Juvenile Appeals

Barbara Kaban

Director of Education Advocacy

Marlies Spanjaard

Director of Training

Wendy Wolf

Training Attorney

Holly Smith

Staff Attorney Bryna Williams

Trial Panel Oversight

Helen Fremont

Revocation Advocacy Attorney

Mara Voukydis

Committee for Public Counsel Services

Youth Advocacy Division

YAD Offices

Fall River – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Hyannis – AIC, 1 Attorney, .5 SSA, .5 AA

Lowell – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Quincy – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Roxbury – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Salem – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Springfield – AIC, 5 Attorneys, 2 SSA, AA

Somerville – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Worcester – AIC, 3 Attorneys, SSA, AA

Pittsfield

Hadley

Greenfield

Orange

Legal Fellow Rachel Rosenberg

Legal Fellow Michelle Scavongelli

600 Private Counsel

20 Revocation Counsel

Sentencing Advocate - JLWOP