Podcast Series

S3 – Episode One: Bridging the Gap: Exploring Emerging Adulthood Research, Outcomes, and Effective Strategies (ft. Lisa Jacobs)
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 they discuss ways we can support young people navigate this pivotal stage of life!
Episode Page | Release Date: March 5, 2024

S2 – Episode Five: Achieving Success through Organizational Change (ft. Julie Austin & Staci Denney)
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.
Episode Page | Release Date: September 28, 2023

S2 – Episode Three: Managing Change: The King County Experience (ft. Robert Gant and Aaron Parker)
The role of the manager is critical to successful youth justice transformation efforts. In this podcast, Robert Gant and Aaron Parker, two program managers from King County, Washington, will discuss the steps they took to effectively reform the youth justice system during a tumultuous period of transition. From COVID to leadership transitions to building a new facility amidst community pressure to eliminate the need for secure detention for youth, Robert and Aaron share how their experience in community-based organizations and knowledge of implementation science supported them in successfully implementing the Juvenile Therapeutic Response and Accountability Court (JTRAC).
Episode Page | Release Date: May 31, 2023

S2 – Episode Two: The Essential Role of the Judge in Youth Justice Transformation (ft. Hon. Thomas Sotelo)
In this episode, RFK National Resource Center’s Executive Director, John Tuell, speaks with Judge Thomas P. Sotelo, Chief Judge of Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Through their conversation, Judge Sotelo shares his perspective on judicial leadership, hope and redemption, the importance of transparency, and embracing research and best practices to improve youth outcomes and system performance.
Episode Page | Release Date: March 28, 2023

S2 – Episode One: Critical Keys to Successful Probation and Youth Justice System Reform (ft. Bev Hoagland)
In this episode our Executive Director, John Tuell, speaks with Bev Hoagland, Chief Probation Officer for the District #3J in Lancaster County, Nebraska. Through their interview, Bev highlights the key elements that led to improved system performance and youth outcomes in Lancaster County. John and Bev discuss the importance of incorporating brain science research in training and policies, the critical role of a program coordinator in probation and youth justice system reform, specific probation and court practices that produced impressive reductions in recidivism with associated positive behavior change among their probation population, and how implementation science assisted Nebraska with improving outcomes and ensuring sustainability of their reforms.
Episode Page | Release Date: January 31, 2023

Episode Six: Diversion – A Collaboration with Court and Community Stakeholders (ft. Robert Bermingham)
Diversion is a key tool for supporting youth outside of the formal justice system. When done well, it supports public safety and youth accountability while involving victims and stakeholders in the decision-making process. In this episode, Robert (Bob) Bermingham delivers his first-hand account on how Fairfax County, Virginia implemented and sustained successful diversion practices and offers takeaways for how other jurisdictions can do the same. The outcomes achieved in Fairfax County are impactful, including decreased court dockets, reduced recidivism, and increased collaboration amongst stakeholders.
Episode Page | Release Date: November 30, 2022

Episode Five: Steps to a Successful Implementation Process (ft. Robin Jenkins, PhD)
Implementation Science supports successful youth justice system transformation. When implementation is done well, it influences positive change by providing a way to manage reforms through creating readiness and embedding evidence-based practices into daily activities. In this episode, Dr. Robin Jenkins teaches us how to reframe our existing leadership skills and practices to apply them in a more deliberate way to create better outcomes, realize a more satisfied workforce, and achieve a higher functioning organization that will deliver on the vision for improving the futures of the youth we serve.
Episode Page | Release Date: September 30, 2022

Episode Four: Essential Elements of a Trauma-Informed Juvenile Justice System (ft. Keith Cruise, PhD)
Traumatic event exposure impacts the way that the brain processes information and disrupts the body’s regulation system. For youth, this can mean increased contact with the juvenile justice system. In this episode, Dr. Keith Cruise discusses different traumatic event exposures and how prevalent these occurrences are for youth in the justice system. You will hear the importance of implementing trauma screening, how trauma can change a youth’s thought and behavior pattern, and intervention strategies to better case plan for these youth.
Episode Page | Release Date: July 28, 2022

Episode Three – BONUS: One Youth, Dual Systems (ft. Hon. Kristen Johnson and Jessica Heldman)
In this bonus episode of One Youth, Dual Systems, Jessica Heldman and Judge Johnson discuss why dual status youth are at greater risk for sexual exploitation, ways to collaborate with system partners, creative solutions to prevent youth from entering deep-end services, and ideas for how to improve our systems with impassioned advocates.
Episode Page | Release Date: June 30, 2022

Episode Three: One Youth, Dual Systems (ft. Hon. Kristen Johnson and Jessica Heldman)
Who are dual status youth and why do they experience the poorest outcomes among system-involved youth? How can we work together to improve results for these youth? To answer these questions, we interview the Honorable Kristen Johnson, Judge from Hancock County (Ohio) Probate and Juvenile Court, and Jessica Heldman, Fellmeth-Peterson Professor in Child Rights at University of San Diego School of Law, about the current research and its importance to jurisdictional success and the collaborative steps that must be taken to improve outcomes for these vulnerable youth.
Episode Page | Release Date: May 31, 2022

Episode Two – BONUS: Assessments 101 – The Fundamentals (ft. Gina Vincent, PhD)
Assessments provide valuable information for multiple decision points in the youth justice system. In this bonus episode of Youth Justice Transformation in Action, our Executive Director & host John Tuell and Dr. Gina Vincent discuss critical drivers for successful implementation, including the importance of developing policies and procedures, collaborating with stakeholders and building a strong data infrastructure.
Episode Page | Release Date: April 27, 2022

Episode Two: Assessments 101 – The Fundamentals (ft. Gina Vincent, PhD)
What is a juvenile risk assessment and a risk-need-responsivity approach? What are the benefits of using them? How can they assist us in decision making? When is the best time to assess a youth? And how can we as youth justice stakeholders, drive successful implementation? To answer these questions, host John Tuell interviews Dr. Gina Vincent about the evidence- and research-based tools and practices that can change system-related trajectories for youth. Listen to their discussion in this episode!
Episode Page | Release Date: March 31, 2022

Episode One: Leadership in Times of Change (ft. Adolphus Graves)
In this episode, RFK National Resource Center’s Executive Director, John Tuell, speaks with Adolphus Graves, Court Administrator of the Cobb County Juvenile Court (Georgia). Through their interview, Adolphus shares his perspective on how to successfully lead a youth justice system transformation effort and gives tips on staying motivated throughout the change process. John and Adolphus also discuss leading change, building collaboration, and identifying priorities.
Episode Page | Release Date: January 31, 2022