Enfield Selected for Juvenile Justice Reform Leadership Academy

The National League of Cities (NLC) has selected Enfield to participate in the Municipal Leadership for Juvenile Justice Reform Leadership Academy in Minneapolis this fall, Sept. 23-25.

Enfield will join nine other cities for the meeting, where participants will discuss proven practices and innovative ideas related to juvenile justice reform.

Enfield was selected for the leadership academy based on the city’s demonstrated commitment to improving outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.

The Town of Enfield Youth Services and the Enfield Police Department created the first aJuvenile Review Board in the state of Connecticut in Sept. 1965. The Enfield Juvenile Review Board will be celebrating its 50th anniversary Sept. 18 at the Enfield Police Department.

The Enfield Police Department, in partnership with Enfield Youth Services, is committed to the Juvenile Review Board as it serves as a diversionary program for youth as an alternative to Juvenile Court with the belief and understanding youth are better served in their community. Evidence shows that when youth are diverted from court for minor juvenile offenses and provided with high-quality, community-based alternatives, outcomes for youth are improved.

“Truly our town has benefited from the joint collaboration between our Police Department and Youth Services Department. This union has proven to be a very valuable asset. As a member of the NLC Advisory Council, and former Board member, I could not be more proud,” states Cynthia Mangini, Councilor at Large, Enfield Town Council.

With the support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change initiative, the Municipal Leadership for Juvenile Justice Reform Leadership Academy will provide cities access to juvenile justice reform experts and opportunities to engage in peer learning and networking around strategies for local action planning.

Following the leadership academy, Enfield will be invited to join the NLC Juvenile Justice Peer Learning Network, a group that provides ongoing opportunities for city leaders to learn and receive support from nationally-recognized experts in the field and from peers in other cities.

Photo credit: Tim Jensen