The Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) Advisory Committee is a branch of the Utah Board of Juvenile Justice (UBJJ) that was created to help address the fourth core protection of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). This requires states to assess and address racial and ethnic disparities at key points in the youth justice system. While the genesis to the creation of the RED Advisory Committee was a federal mandate, there is unified commitment across all juvenile justice stakeholders to tackle the overrepresentation of minority youth across systems. As such, local RED Working Groups have been established in Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties as they currently have the highest concentrated youth of color populations. Members are comprised of youth, juvenile justice practitioners, educators, and community-based leaders and advocates.

Youth Justice Action Month

October is Youth Justice Action Month and juvenile justice partners are hosting a free, public, virtual event on October 20th at 3:30 PM. “And Yet We Rise” will elevate the voices of young people, including those who have experience in the juvenile justice system, through a variety of formats interwoven into an online showcase. Leaders, both youth and adult, will be awarded for their service and commitment to the juvenile justice system. 

Listen to the event here.

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School Resource Officer (SRO) Discussion Report

From late 2020 to early 2021, the RED Advisory Committee went into the Wasatch Front School Districts Parent/Student community. We wanted to get their perspective and hear from them about the SRO topic and the training they receive. This discussion report is a brief compilation of what they said and suggestions from the discussions.

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Join the R.E.D. Advisory Committee

Have you ever thought of joining an Advisory Committee that is dedicated to Juvenile Justice? The Racial and Ethnic Advisory Committee is an active committee that  collects/analyzes annual data to identify where disparity is occurring in the system, develops culturally appropriate educational materials that inform key stakeholders on research findings and best evidence-based practices, gathers information through quarterly focus groups centered on youth, front-line practitioners, & restorative practices and much more. 
 
If you are interested, check out our Mission, Vision, and Goals, our Bylaws, and Historical References of being a part of this committee.
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A Focus on Equity

Disparities in the juvenile justice system are a function of more far-reaching societal disparities extending to the socioecological environment minority youth uniquely face. This disparity in juvenile justice can only be comprehensively addressed if also addressed in other systems of care for youth and their community at large. The following policy toolkits, in conjunction with the full report, serves as a guiding tool to guide meaningful policy discussions on innovative interventions within the stakeholder’s jurisdiction and to foster collaborations across agencies to develop a robust continuum of care for youth in Utah.

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MEET THE committee

Alyssha Dairsow

R.E.D. Advisory Coordinator

adairsow@utah.gov

Betty Sawyer, chair

Rachel Edwards

Maria Garciaz

Judge Renee Jimenez

Jerry Oler

Martin C. Munoz

Carol Cabanillas

Franco Libertini

Nindy Le

Eric Tadehara

Victor Perri

Pedro Rico

Leticia Alvarez Gutiérrez