JDAI Massachusetts County Participation Massachusetts began as an Annie E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative site in 2006 with two counties, Worcester and Suffolk (Boston). These sites were chosen for their high number of lower-level juveniles in detention. Since inception, the decision was made to take the JDAI model state-wide.
In 2009, Middlesex and Essex counties joined the initiative. In 2013 and 2014 respectively, Bristol and Hampden Counties joined the initiative. Now JDAI has active local steering committees in six of Massachusetts’ eleven judicial districts. Those six counties contain all the secure detention centers operated by DYS in the state, and encompass nearly all the major population centers. JDAI local collaborative's function in six of our eleven judicial districts: Bristol, Essex, Hampden, Middlesex, Suffolk and Worcester. This represents 73% of all the juveniles who live in Massachusetts, and 85% of all of the detention admissions.
I. County Steering Meetings:
Upcoming JDAI County Committee Meetings 2022
I. County Steering Meetings:
Bristol
Co-Chairs: Joe Mulhern, (open)
- 4th Monday of each month from 3:00-4:30pm
- Virtual until further notice
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83631290214?pwd=c2pWblNyYS9UdXZVbTZTa1o2Y25udz09
- RSVP: Katie Perry-Lorentz, JDAI Detention Reform Specialist, DYS, Katherine.Perry-Lorentz@mass.gov
Essex
Co-Chairs: Honorable Kerry Ahern & Kimberly Lawrence
- 3rd Thursday of each month from 3:00-4:30pm
- Virtual until further notice
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84844752520?pwd=dWJldFlyUTZJWVVPTVNFY21kcTQxUT09
- RSVP: Thula Sibanda, Chief of Staff, DYS, Nokuthula.sibanda@mass.gov
Hampden
Co-Chairs: Honorable Arose Nielsen & Corrine Ryan Esq.
- Hampden meets every 4th Thursday of the month at link below:
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86182746342?pwd=VFVxbHRaTE5oSlM4Q0dkdnZnU3VYZz09
Middlesex
Co-Chairs: Honorable Brian Frane & Sandra Hillario
- 2nd second Tuesday of every other month from 1:00-2:00pm (met in March)
- virtual until further notice
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89173174699?pwd=UWRmK29tTTN1eEZ1UjJvc2czT2VrQT09
- Click here to join the meeting
- RSVP: Thula Sibanda, Chief of Staff, DYS, Nokuthula.sibanda@mass.gov
Suffolk
Co-Chairs: Ryan Brennan, (open)
- 3rd Friday of each month from 2:00-3:30pm
- Virtual until further notice
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82525560612?pwd=N2tOUHNZMnQycml5MnpHUXh0MDdyQT09
- RSVP: Katie Perry-Lorentz, JDAI Detention Reform Specialist, DYS, Katherine.Perry-Lorentz@mass.gov
Worcester
Co-Chairs: Jamie Bennett & Keane Tugman
- Worcester County meets every 3rd Wednesday of the month and alternates meeting times to accommodate our stakeholders:
- 3:00pm-4:30pm
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83124248946?pwd=dnlvRnkvRWtjRm45TWFLVWhNbWJmdz09
- 1:00pm-2:00pm
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86384307883?pwd=N0JsNnR0d0NSSHBROTFkc2YzMDlrZz09
- RSVP Jenyka Spitz-Gassnola JDAI Local Coordinator, DYS, Jenyka.Spitz-Gassnola@mass.gov