Youth Justice Transformation in Action

Hosted by National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (nrctyj.org)

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The National Resource Center's podcast, Youth Justice Transformation in Action, shares stories of change management, leadership, achieved outcomes and so much more. Episodes feature leaders, experts, and practitioners in the field who are successfully navigating youth justice transformation in their systems and discuss best practices from youth justice experts. Learn more at nrctyj.org/podcast. Website: nrctyj.org Contact Us: nrctyj.org/contact-us Online Resource Library: nrctyj.org/resources/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-resource-center-for-transformation-of-youth-justice

Listen to episodes

21 recent

September 1, 2026Episode 340 min

Inside LA's Youth Justice Transformation: A Conversation with Judge Espinoza

In this episode, we welcome the Honorable Miguel Espinoza, Supervising Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, for a conversation about the county's ongoing work to transform its youth justice system. Our team recently completed a year-long Youth Justice System Review in partnership with Los Angeles County and is now supporting the county as it puts the resulting recommendations into practice. In this conversation, our founding Executive Director, John Tuell, speaks with Judge Espinoza about what led the county to pursue a System Review, the key focus areas that emerged from it, and the strengths, challenges, and progress unfolding on the ground. Among the highlights of the discussion is the piloting of a first-of-its-kind Competency Hub Court for young people, one of several innovations reshaping how Los Angeles County approaches youth justice. Tune in to hear firsthand how one of the nation's largest court systems is translating system review findings into meaningful, lasting change. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

June 25, 2026Episode 241 min

More Than a Name: The Gault Center and the Future of Youth Defense

What does it actually mean to defend a young person's rights? In this episode, our Executive Director John Tuell speaks with Mary Ann Scali, Executive Director at The Gault Center to explore nearly 30 years of evolution in the fight for youth justice. We talk about the 1967 Supreme Court ruling that gave the organization its name, why In re Gault remains as relevant as ever as we mark its 60th anniversary, and what it looks like when youth defenders are doing this work at its best; meeting young people where they are, strengthening connections to community, and pushing back against a system that too often pulls youth deeper in rather than offering a way out. From the tools and resources TGC provides to defenders on the ground, to the bold reforms on the horizon like reimagining probation, this conversation is a window into what genuine, rights-based youth defense looks like in practice, and why it matters now more than ever. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

April 13, 2026Episode 144 min

Where Research Meets Practice: The Innovation Center for Youth Justice at JMU

In the first episode of Season 5, we speak with Dr. Rita Poteyeva, Director of the Innovation Center for Youth Justice (ICYJ) at James Madison University (JMU). In this discussion, we explore the creation and evolution of the ICYJ, including its core pillars of activity—such as the Youth Justice minor, research, symposia, and internship opportunities—and how these efforts are helping shape the future of the field. The NRC is proud to collaborate with JMU through the ICYJ to advance innovation in youth justice systems and help prepare the next generation of leaders. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

September 30, 202551 min

A New Path to Success: Prosecutor-Led Reform in Youth Justice

When a young person gets into trouble with the law, what if the first step wasn’t prosecution—but a second chance? In San Diego County, the District Attorney’s Office is leading a bold shift through the Juvenile Diversion Initiative, a program designed to reroute youth away from the justice system and toward real support. In this episode, Executive Director John Tuell speaks with Samira Seidu, Chief, and Fanny Yu, Deputy District Attorney, from the Juvenile Division of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office to take you inside that effort—how referrals are made, what individualized plans look like in practice, and why collaboration with community partners is at the heart of its success. We’ll explore the outcomes they have sought to achieve, how impact is measured, and what’s been learned along the way. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

March 31, 2025Episode 152 min

Changing Futures: How a Community Driven, Personalized Approach is Transforming Lives

In this episode, Executive Director John Tuell speaks with Gary Ivory, President and CEO at Youth Advocate Programs, Inc. (YAP) about its transformative role in youth justice over the past 50 years. Together, they explore YAP’s primary goals, its evolution since its inception, and the personalized services it offers to youth and families. Through individualized treatment, YAP helps youth stay out of the justice system, with a focus on reducing recidivism by tailoring services to each individual's needs. They also discuss the critical factors that contribute to YAP’s success, including collaboration with local communities and key stakeholders like probation, child welfare, and education systems. The episode highlights inspiring success stories, showcasing how the program has made a lasting impact on reducing recidivism rates. Join us to learn how YAP is making a difference and shaping the future of youth justice. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

December 23, 2024Episode 454 min

Building a Gold Standard Trauma-Informed Youth Justice System: Awareness, Assessment, and Case Planning

In this episode, Executive Director, John Tuell, interviews Dr. Keith Cruise, Professor and Director of Clinical Training for the Department of Psychology at Fordham University. Dr. Cruise introduces the groundbreaking projects underway at the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice, showcasing how trauma-informed care is reshaping youth justice. Together, they will explore the vital role of screening for active trauma symptoms and why this early identification is a key step in addressing the unique needs of youth within the justice system. They will discuss the critical importance of trauma awareness and education for juvenile justice systems and how initiatives like T-Care, T-Care Plus, and R-TIP are building a more trauma-informed workforce. We will discuss trauma-specific treatment models, such as TARGET/T4 and MGT, designed to support youth and families. At the system level, we’ll dive into the Trauma-Informed Juvenile Court Self-Assessment (TI-JCSA). Finally, we’ll tackle how trauma-informed approaches align with the Risk-Needs-Responsivity model, emphasizing that these frameworks complement each other to create holistic and effective systems. Featuring transformational efforts in Nebraska, this episode highlights actionable strategies for integrating trauma-informed care into youth justice. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

September 30, 2024Episode 341 min

A Blueprint for Youth Justice Reform: Lessons from Juvenile Redeploy Services

In this episode Executive Director John Tuell interviews Mark Werner, Director of Juvenile Redeploy Services for the Circuit Court of Cook County Juvenile Justice Division. Juvenile Redeploy Services, in partnership with probation, offers an alternative to incarcerating youth in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice. Through collaboration with community-based organizations, the program employs a trauma-informed, public safety approach to deliver intensive, evidence-based services and individualized treatment to high-risk youth. Join John and Mark as they explore the initiative’s successes, challenges, and its positive impact on youth and the community. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

July 23, 2024Episode 240 min

Growth-Focused Case Management: Achieving Desistance through Positive Identity Formation

In this episode, complementing the release of the GFCM Guidebook , Executive Director John Tuell engages in a discussion with Jonathan Cloud, the creator of the GFCM approach and co-author of the guidebook. Their conversation explores how GFCM transforms youth justice practices by prioritizing support for youth during their critical developmental stages, fostering positive identity formation, and promoting desistance from future offending behaviors. Jonathan outlines how GFCM acts as a guiding framework for youth justice practitioners, emphasizing its principles, practices, and transformative outcomes detailed in the GFCM Guidebook. Join us as we explore how the GFCM framework, rooted in research, drives profound and lasting behavioral changes among youth within the justice system. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

March 5, 202440 min

Bridging the Gap: Exploring Emerging Adulthood Research, Outcomes, and Effective Strategies

What is an emerging adult? In our season premiere of Youth Justice Transformation in Action, our Executive Director, John Tuell, speaks with Lisa Jacobs, Associate Director of Legislation and Policy Clinic at Loyola University Chicago, School of Law about the critical distinctions between adolescence, emerging adulthood, and full adulthood, and why legal and youth-serving systems must adapt to support emerging adults effectively. Don’t miss out as we discuss ways to support young people navigate this pivotal stage of life! To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn

September 21, 2023Episode 543 min

Achieving Success through Organizational Change

In this episode of "Youth Justice Transformation in Action,” our Executive Director, John Tuell, speaks with Julie Austin, Director of Youth and Family Program, and Staci Denney, Director of Case Management, for the Greene County Juvenile Office in the 31st Judicial District of Missouri. Through their conversation, Julie and Staci delve into the critical topic of fostering success within youth justice through transformative organizational change. Join us as we explore the power of effective communication at every level of an organization and among key partners. Our experts emphasize the significance of sharing a unified philosophy, shedding light on how it can drive meaningful change within the youth justice system. From their experience with the System Review, Julie and Staci share their key strategies and insights that paved the way for improving their system’s performance leading to better outcomes for youth and families in their community. To learn more about the National Resource Center for the Transformation of Youth Justice (formerly the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice) and how we may be able to serve your community, please visit our website, contact our team, or follow us on LinkedIn: Website: www.nrctyj.org Contact Us: www.nrctyj.org/contact-us Social: LinkedIn