Better Legal Outcomes, Better Life Outcomes: Positive Youth
Development in Practice
While traditional legal service models have focused primarily on motion
practice and courtroom advocacy, for clients, their involvement in the court
system is about so much more than a case. Research and practice have confirmed
that when legal practitioners and service providers focus on better holistic
life outcomes, better legal outcomes result. For that reason, a youth (and young
adult) client’s development and improved life experience should be a central
focus in every case, from care and protection cases to youthful offender cases.
From biological parents and custodial agencies to lawyers and judges, there is a
role in positive youth development for everyone to play.
We will explore what positive youth development means
in practice and how to harness it to fuel our clients’ success.
Join us as we give you a solid foundation in the theory and practice of PYD, and
strategize how best to apply it to our most challenging client
circumstances.
10-10:10 a.m.: Welcome
10:10-11 a.m.: Keynote Address: Harnessing the Power of Positive Youth
Development
11 a.m.-noon: Plenary Session: PYD in Practice Across the Juvenile Justice
and Child Welfare System
Noon-12:10 p.m.: Networking Break
12:10-1 p.m.: Break Out Session
Option One: PYD Strategies for Non-citizens
Option Two:
Bringing the Child's Voice into the Courtroom
1-2 p.m.: Lunch/Lunchtime Speakers
2-3 p.m.: Plenary Session: PYD Strategies for Supporting Emerging Adults
3-3:10 p.m.: Networking Break
3:10-4:10 p.m.: Plenary Session: Navigating Collateral Consequences for
Better Outcomes
4:10-5 p.m.: Conclusion
Special pricing is available for practitioners on the CAFL, YAD and
Mental Health Litigation Division panels. Attend for $75. Call MBA Member
Services to register at (617) 338-0530.
This conference is approved for 7 CAFL/YAD
credits.
Faculty:
Hon. Jay D. Blitzman (ret.), Program Co-chair
Erica Cushna, Esq., Program Co-chair
CPCS YAD, Boston
Cristina F. Freitas, Esq., Program Co-chair
Freitas & Freitas, LLP, Lowell
Debbie F. Freitas, Esq., Program Co-chair
CAFL Training Unit-CPCS Training Department, Lowell
Leslie Martin, Esq., Program Co-chair
Department of Children and Families, Arlington
Audrey Murillo, Esq., Program Co-chair
Harvard Law School, Cambridge
Holly Smith, Esq., Program Co-chair
CPCS-Youth Advocacy Division, Somerville
Alexandra Roark, Esq., Program Co-chair
CPCS-Worcester, Worcester
Jessica R. Salinas-Thomas, Esq., Program Co-chair
Law Office of Jessica R. Salinas-Thomas, Revere
Claire Valentin, Esq., Program Co-chair
CPCS-Immigration Impact Unit, Somerville
Anne J. F. Bader-Martin, Esq., Panelist
Michelle Banks , Panelist
Department of Children and Families-Boston, Boston
Melissa Parker White Ellis, Esq., Panelist
Committee for Public Counsel Services, Fall River
John Millett, Panelist
Juvenile Court Probation Department, Boston
Ruth Rovezzi, Panelist
Commonwealth of Massachusetts-Department of Youth Services, Boston