Managing Change: The King County Experience (ft. Robert Gant and Aaron Parker)
Episode Description
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).
SEASON TWO: Episode Three | RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2023
About the Guests
Robert E. Gant MA, LMHC
Juvenile Court Services Manager | King County Superior Court – Juvenile Court Services | Seattle, Washington
Robert E. Gant was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He is a Licensed Mental Health Clinician in the State of Washington with more than 25 years’ experience in counseling, case management, youth violence, skill development, and advocacy for underserved communities. He currently serves as a Juvenile Court Services Manager with King County Superior Court and is a member of the senior leadership team. As a manager within the court since 2019, he co-labors with his staff that run the Juvenile Justice Assessment Team (JJAT), Education & Employment training program (EET), Family Intervention Restorative Services (FIRS), Commercially Sexually Exploited Children task force (CSEC), Community Accountability Boards (CABS), and Child & Family Justice Resource Center. He works in partnership with community-based agencies around a host of contracts that support young people to thrive. Previously, he was the Counseling Center Director at Southwest Youth & Family Services (SWYFS) where he was responsible for the overall management, coordination, and contractual compliance of the Counseling Center. Throughout Roberts career, he has worked diligently to strengthen and amplify the voices of young people, center race and equity, bridge culturally responsive relationships, and establish community partnerships rooted in healing. Robert has a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, American School of Professional Psychology, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Washington. When Robert is not working, he enjoys watching all things basketball and relaxing with great music.
Aaron Parker, MSW, MHP
Juvenile Court Services Manager | King County Superior Court – Juvenile Court Services | Seattle, Washington
Aaron Parker was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He graduated from Garfield High School and went on to graduate from Howard University (Washington, DC) with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Psychology and a Master of Social Work (MSW). During his tenure in the nation’s capital he worked inside the District of Columbia Public School system for a number of years, was a treatment foster care Social Worker and worked on the Foster Care Standards of Excellence with the Child Welfare League of America. After finishing his schooling in D.C., he decided to return home and work in his local community. Aaron moved back to Seattle and was hired at Therapeutic Health Services (THS). Aaron spent eight years at this organization in several roles. His final role at THS was the Rainier Branch Manager. In this role, Aaron oversaw the mental health program, vocational program and the peer support services for all THS sites in King and Snohomish counties. After his time at THS Aaron moved to working for King County Superior Court – Juvenile Court. His first role there was the Supervisor of the Juvenile Justice Assessment Team (JJAT). After one year of doing that, Aaron was promoted to Juvenile Court Services Manager where he oversees the screening, intake, and supervision services for the department. Aaron also oversees the Behavioral Health Response (BHR) program (formally juvenile drug court). When Aaron is not working, he enjoys coaching Little League baseball and serving on a number of boards in the community.