The Campaign for Youth Justice Congratulates Board Member Dr. Francisco Villarruel on Presidential Appointment to CCJJ
Washington (October 27, 2016)- The Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) would like to congratulate board member, Dr. Francisco Villarruel, for his presidential appointment to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile and Justice Delinquency Prevention (CCJJ).
Villarruel is Associate Chair for Education and Outreach at Michigan State University (MSU), a position he has held since 2015. Villarruel is also Professor and University Outreach and Engagement Senior Fellow at MSU, positions he has held since 2003 and 2002, respectively.
The federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) established the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention as an independent body within the executive branch of the federal government. The Council's primary functions are to coordinate federal juvenile delinquency prevention programs, federal programs and activities that detain or care for unaccompanied juveniles, and federal programs relating to missing and exploited children. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Council meets in public meetings in which members discuss activities to facilitate and support cross-agency coordination.
“We are thrilled at this news and we know that Francisco will be an excellent asset to the Coordinating Council,” said CFYJ CEO Marcy Mistrett. “He is a true champion for youth and will put the best interests of system-involved children and families first.”
Villarruel has worked with numerous communities, state, and federal agencies to address the involvement of Latino youth in juvenile justice systems programs. Prior to joining the CFYJ board, he co-authored the first report on latino youth prosecuted as adults, “America’s Invisible Children: Latino Youth and the Failure of Justice. Beyond his board service with CFYJ, he is also a founding member of The Alianza for Latino Youth Justice – a consortium of practitioners, advocates, funders, families and scholars that seek to engage in culturally relevant practices to address the needs of Latino youth secure placements. He has authored numerous policy reports that seek to contribute to a fair and equal justice program for youth. He has also been involved in research that focuses on youth development and what communities can do to foster the development transitions of youth to adulthood.
About the Campaign For Youth Justice:
The Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) is a national initiative focused entirely on ending the practice of prosecuting, sentencing, and incarcerating youth under the age of 18 in the adult criminal justice system.
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