Westchester Children's Association Hosts Discussion Panel

The auditorium at White Plains Library was at capacity on Wednesday, March 13, as service providers, professionals and concerned residents gathered to hear from a distinguished panel of experts in law, children’s services, and county agencies. The topic discussed was the legislation known as Raise the Age (RTA) and how it is faring 6 months into its first stage of implementation. Westchester Children’s Association (WCA), the lead agency in Westchester County for the state-wide law, hosted the event. Gary Stern, engagement editor with The Journal News/lohud.com, was moderator.
The event was held as a way of keeping the public informed and “to hold us all accountable” for the progress of implementation, as stated by WCA’s executive director, Allison Lake. The legislation went into effect for 16 year-olds on October 1, 2018. These young people will no longer automatically be treated as adults when arrested, but rather go through Family Court, except in the case of a violent offense. The law will take effect for 17 year-olds this October. Implementation of the law is complicated and there are a lot of moving parts requiring collaboration, open communication and cooperation.
One panelist, Yvonne Borkowski of Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, said, “It has been gratifying to see the cooperation exhibited by the court and the parties involved in trying to follow the letter and spirit of the Raise the Age legislation.” However, crossing t’s and dotting the i’s is slowing down the process. Lake added, “We know many counties including Westchester have not had their plans approved by the state. This limits the ability to engage new subcontractors who can provide the community-based services and supports young people need to turn their lives around. Now is the time to work out these problems so when the 17 year-olds come on board later this year, the details are in place.”
At the heart of RTA is the welfare of young people. The law offers them the second chance they need to right the ship and take a different course in life. The Hon. Kathie E. Davidson, administrative judge for the Ninth Judicial District said, “RTA is the first step in a long journey to change outcomes for youth who are involved with the criminal and juvenile justice system.”
After the panel finished its presentation, the audience had a chance to contribute. One speaker was a police officer who highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement when they respond to an incident. In essence, he said, police officers have to make split-second decisions on how to react. Another person talked about the needs and concerns for girls who find themselves in the criminal justice system. A teenager with the White Plains Youth Bureau asked the panel, “What do kids need to succeed?” The answer? Many things, but if there is a caring adult, any adult, whether that be a parent, teacher, probation officer, or a concerned neighbor, a child can make it through.
Timing of the event was deliberate to coincide with state budget season. Monies must be allocated now in order to ensure that the services and resources needed for a successful implementation are completed on time. WCA and supporting agencies want the public to speak with elected officials while the budget is still being negotiated. It is especially important that legislation be developed for giving older youth/young adults (up to age 21) youthful offender status and raising the lower age of juvenile delinquency from 7 to 12. In addition, WCA is advocating for persons in need of supervision (PINS) - youth who are not going to school, are behaving in dangerous or risky ways, or are struggling to live cooperatively with their parents- access to ongoing support. The governor’s budget ends detention for these youth but needs to be amended to (1) allow PINS to be placed in foster care when necessary and (2) restore funding to counties for PINS diversion services.
Ultimately, Raise the Age is about ensuring that young people are treated in a way that allows them to come back from making a foolish mistake. Timeke AmenRa, deputy director of detention services for Children’s Village/Woodfield Cottage, said it best when he stated, “The conditions in which we sow SEEDS (safety, education, empowerment, discipline and spirituality) must be fertile. Fertility contains the ingredients that foster change & new beginnings. Our children, who are our seeds, require the same thing in detention.”
For more information about Raise the Age and Westchester Children’s Association visit www.wca4kids.org