Spotlights
Juvenile Justice Vision 20/20 - Celebrated Years of Service & Impact
The organization was launched and supported by Dr. Kathy Bailey, professor in the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies (SCCJLS) and JJV 20/20 treasurer, as well as the JJV 20/20 executive team of Sandi Metcalf, president; Kevin Bowling, vice president; Dave Pelon ’04 CJ, secretary, among many others from the community.
The core mission of JJV 20/20 has been to promote juvenile justice by supporting the effective administration of justice, providing education and training, advocating for sufficient funding, and quality data to maintain an informed, transparent system. The organization has advocated tirelessly for court-involved youth, asserting the need to avoid detention when possible, and employ effective treatment in order to ensure both child well-being and public safety. Their service has taken many forms, all of which has moved juvenile justice forward in Michigan.
Over the past 15 years, JJV 20/20:
- Hosted 45 statewide conferences and webinars, offering education, inspiration, and a sense of shared purpose to practitioners, students, and supporters across the state.
- Convened Michigan’s first statewide strategic planning initiative for juvenile justice and juvenile justice data.
- Designed and launched a state-of-the-art, multijurisdictional juvenile justice case management system—complete with the first juvenile justice data dictionary and clear data-sharing agreements to ensure transparency across courts.
- Contributed expertise to numerous state juvenile justice reform committees.
- And built and maintained a website that has become a statewide hub for research, resources, and continuous learning.
The JJV 20/20 executive team did all of this with no budget, no dedicated funding stream, and no paid infrastructure. They were able to secure grants to cover expenses, and are sincerely grateful for the generosity of Grand Valley State University, supportive vendors, and, most importantly, the community. As this chapter comes to a close, JJV 20/20 is excited to see what the future holds in store. Congratulations to Kathy, Sandi, Kevin, Dave, and the entire JJV 20/20 team!
-Content provided by the CECI Dean's Office
Interest Area(s)
Criminal Justice, Social Work, Legal Studies
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