Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium

June 18 – 20, 2025 • San Diego Marriott La Jolla Hotel

AT A GLANCE

Join Us in San Diego for the Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium!

On June 18-20, 2025, in vibrant San Diego, California, the RFK National Resource Center will host a dynamic 2.5-day National Symposium designed for multi-disciplinary professionals and youth-serving stakeholders committed to advancing youth justice transformation. This unique event offers opportunities to learn, connect, and contribute to a national movement dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families through transformative practices.

The 2025 Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium will present a range of evidence-informed and research-backed reforms that participants can adapt and implement within their own communities. With an emphasis on collaboration and peer learning, attendees will have opportunities to engage with experts and on-the-ground leaders about challenges and strategies that lead to measurable, sustainable, and replicable policy and practice change. The event will also feature perspectives from emerging leaders and advocates with lived experience. Learn more about featured topics!

Event Registration

Registration will open soon – check back here for updates and to secure your spot! To be among the first to know when registration opens, please subscribe to our email list and follow us on social media!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When and Where Will the Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium be Held?

DATES:

June 18 – 20, 2025

LOCATION:

San Diego Marriott La Jolla Hotel
4240 La Jolla Village Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037

Information on the hotel room block and reservation details will be added soon.

What Will I Learn at the Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium?

Each day of the 2.5-day event will feature impactful plenary and interactive sessions that explore the latest challenges and advancements in youth justice. Additionally, over 30 specialized workshops and learning sessions will delve into a variety of topics impacting youth, families, and youth-serving systems throughout the nation. Featured topics include:

Call to Action: Applying Best Practices for Successful Transformation of Youth Justice
Probation and Youth Justice System Review – Reporting on Positive Impact
Dual Status Youth Initiatives – Applying Core Principles, Practices, and Evaluation
Diversion & Deflection
Reducing and Eliminating Racial & Ethnic Disparities
Growth-Focused Youth Justice Case Management (GFCM)
Adolescent Brain Science in Practice
Addressing Active Trauma Symptoms and Providing Effective Care
Effective and Consistent Application of Screening, Assessment, and Responsivity Approaches
Support for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC)
Best Practices for Emerging Adults
Credible Messengers / Youth Advocacy
Roles of Attorneys in Effective Youth Justice Practice
Competency Proceedings in Youth Justice
Family Voice and Engagement, and much more

Who Should Attend?

This event is designed for a variety of professionals and stakeholders — both multidisciplinary teams and individual participants are encouraged to attend! The Symposium’s audience will include:

Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Directors
Probation and Court Service Directors
Judges
Social Workers
Probation Counselors and Managers
Attorneys and Court Personnel (Prosecution, Public Defenders, Guardians Ad Litem, CASA, etc.)
Educational Staff and Advocates
Behavioral Health Providers and Clinicians
Federal, State, and Local Policy Makers and Advocates
… among others!

I Have More questions, Who Should I Contact?

Please contact Sorrel Lewis at solewis@rfkcommunity.org.

Past Events

Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium & Training Institute
Webpage | September 8-10, 2022 | Nashville, Tennessee

The Robert F. Kennedy National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice hosted a two-day Symposium and supplemental half-day Training Institute in the vibrant heart of Downtown Nashville. Presentations and other event resources are available in our Online Library.

Transformation of Youth Justice Symposium: Expanding Knowledge, Changing Practice, Achieving Outcomes
On September 8-9, 2021, in heart of Downtown Nashville, the RFK National Resource Center hosted a one-of-a-kind Symposium for multi-disciplinary professionals and youth-serving stakeholders seeking to learn, network, and become part of the nationwide movement to effectively transform youth justice and improve outcomes for children and families. The Symposium will feature research-based and evidence-informed practical reforms that can be replicated and applied by participants within their state and local jurisdictions. The event will also emphasize the importance of peer-to-peer learning and collaboration to identify common challenges and solutions that lead to meaningful, sustainable and measurable policy and practice change.

Transformation of Youth Justice Training Institutes
Participants who attend the two-day symposium can enhance their learning experience by participating in a half-day Training Institute session on Friday, September 10. The Training Institutes will offer five intensive and interactive sessions to provide a deeper dive into targeted areas of juvenile justice transformation. The Institutes will feature innovative leaders, practitioners, and your peers to ensure a dynamic and practical approach designed to provide specific strategies and action steps that can be replicated in your jurisdiction.

To learn more about these events, please visit: https://rfknrcjj.org/events/transformation-of-youth-justice-learning-events-2021/

Juvenile Probation Reform Academies

3rd Annual Juvenile Probation Reform Academy
Exclusively for Probation and Parole Professionals
Webpage | August 30-31, 2017 | New York, New York

Juvenile Probation Reform Academy
Held during APPA’s 41st Annual Training Institute
Webpage | August 29-30, 2016 | Cleveland, Ohio

April 2016 – RFK National Resource Center’s Inaugural Symposiums
Boston, Massachusetts – Omni Parker House Hotel

Dual Status Youth Symposium: Working Together for Our Children
On April 5-6, 2016 the RFK National Resource Center hosted its inaugural Dual Status Youth Symposium: Working Together for Our Children. This was the first of its kind national gathering of multi-disciplinary, youth-serving professionals to learn, network, and become part of the nationwide movement to improve outcomes for dual status youth. The Symposium provided a unique opportunity to experience and share the outstanding practice and policy progress made over the past fifteen years in addressing the challenges of effectively serving youth who touch both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Webpage | Presentation Resources

Probation System Reform Symposium: Advancing Practice, Changing Lives (Learn more!)
On April 7-8, 2016 the RFK National Resource Center hosted its inaugural Probation System Reform Symposium: Advancing Practice, Changing Lives. Juvenile justice system professionals from around the country are invited to attend this special event focusing on improving probation system performance and youth and family outcomes for those youth managed and overseen by our juvenile probation departments and court systems. The symposium will provide dynamic networking and interactive opportunities to learn from experienced colleagues about frameworks for effective probation practice, as well as challenges that confront practitioners and policymakers engaged in probation system reform. Webpage | Presentation Resources

Both events featured the foremost experts on the topics of data and outcome measurement, risk-needs-responsivity screening and assessment, trauma, evidence-based interventions, and inter-agency collaboration. Participants will be given tools to formulate an action plan for realizing improved youth outcomes, as well as needed fiscal savings in their communities.

Questions?