Advocates for children should be catalysts for systemic change.
MacArthur Special Counsel Initiative
Overview
In 2008, TeamChild received a multi-year grant from the MacArthur Foundation as part of their Models for Change Initiative. With this funding, TeamChild created a Special Counsel position and hired George Yeannakis to assist in statewide efforts to enhance juvenile defense. TeamChild was selected to host the Special Counsel because of the unique role we play in juvenile justice reform and our long-standing partnership with juvenile defenders to provide holistic legal advocacy for youth involved in the juvenile justice system.
Improving the quality of defense practice impacts the juvenile justice system at all levels. Defense attorneys are critical players in the juvenile justice system and not only provide an essential check and balance to the workings of the court, but most importantly play a singular role in their relationship with and as advocates for youth. No one else in the system is charged with the professional and ethical duties of communicating thoroughly and effectively with their clients, taking direction from their clients, and protecting their clients’ legal and stated interests.
Because of the confidential relationship and role of counsel, defense attorneys are ideally situated to address and advocate around issues like whether a youth should be detained, whether there is racial bias in the arrest or detention of a youth, whether a youth has untreated mental health or substance abuse issues, whether a youth’s individual circumstances would best be addressed by the community rather than secure detention, and whether multiple systems of care are working together to address the needs of a youth. In order for defense attorneys to be effective in this role, they need training, support and leadership.
Special Counsel Project Goals
- Improve juvenile defender’s access to training, mentoring and technical assistance,
- Coordinate and build models of high quality holistic defense practices, and
- Increase juvenile defender’s leadership and meaningful participation in system reform efforts.
Partners
The Special Counsel’s work is done in partnership with many organizations, including the Center for Children and Youth Justice, the Washington State Office of Public Defense, the Washington Defender Association, and the National Juvenile Defender Center.
Contact Us
1225 S. Weller, Ste 420
Seattle, Washington 98144
(206) 322-2444 x.107
(206) 381-1742 Fax
george.yeannakis@teamchild.org
WJDLN Newsletter December 2011
