2025 Featured Speakers
The 2025 Pathways to Success: Trailblazers and Innovators in Youth Justice Conference brought together a powerful lineup of speakers who are shaping the future of youth justice in Connecticut and across the nation. From policymakers to practitioners, community advocates to system leaders, each speaker offered unique insights, bold ideas, and real-world solutions to create meaningful change for young people and families.
meet our 2025 keynote speaker
Lawrence Bartley
Lawrence Bartley is the publisher of The Marshall Project Inside, the organization’s publications intended specifically for incarcerated audiences. He is also the host and executive producer of Inside Story, a new video series delivering trustworthy reporting to incarcerated people and the broader public. He has served as founder and director of News Inside, the print publication of The Marshall Project, which is distributed in hundreds of prisons and jails throughout the United States. News Inside received the 2020 Izzy Award for outstanding achievement in independent media. Lawrence was a member of the team behind “The Zo,” winner of the 2021 Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence and Innovation and recipient of an Emmy nod in the area of News & Documentary. He is also an accomplished public speaker and has provided multimedia content for CNN, PBS, NBC Nightly News, MSNBC and more.
Strengthening Schools Through Behavioral Health Supports
This breakout session highlights Connecticut’s statewide efforts to expand access to school-based behavioral health services.
An expert panel will explore how state agencies, school systems, and community-based organizations are:
Building effective systems of care
Implementing best practices
Addressing current challenges and emerging trends impacting youth
Learn about the latest developments in clinical service delivery, cross-sector collaboration, and workforce training—driving meaningful change in student mental health and well-being.
No Place Like Home: Challenges and Trends of Youth Homelessness in CT
This breakout session will provide a comprehensive overview of the critical issue of youth experiencing housing instability—both in Connecticut and across the nation.
Key Topics the Panel Will Explore:
The social, emotional, and educational impact of housing instability on youth
Existing services, supports, and safety nets for unstably housed young people
Innovative models and cross-sector partnerships that prevent and respond to youth homelessness
Actionable steps and opportunities for attendees to support housing-stable futures for youth
Division Director School Health, Child Nutrition and Family Services Connecticut State Department of Education
Raiden McDade
Youth Ambassador for the City of Hartford Department of Families, Children, and Youth
Jesehia Robles
Youth Ambassador
Getting to Work: Reimagining Employment Pathways for Youth
Examine how Connecticut’s initiatives are improving the pathway to employment for young people. We will analyze workforce development strategies and hear from youth representatives about their experiences—what is effective and where challenges persist.
A Data Walk Across CT's Communities
This session will delve into key data points and trends, providing a comprehensive view of youth involvement in the justice system. We will specifically explore resources like Connecticut’s Juvenile Justice System Equity Dashboard – a vital initiative aimed at:
- Promoting transparency and data-driven decision-making.
- Addressing and dismantling systemic barriers and disparities.
- Empowering stakeholders and the public with knowledge of key metrics influencing Connecticut’s youth.
IMRP Associate Director and Project Manager, Connecticut RAcial Profiling Prohibition Project
Policy Development Coordinator, Criminal Justice Policy & Planning Research Unit, Office of Policy and Management
Starting Early: The School-Based Diversion Initiative - Early Intervention
Learn how Connecticut schools effectively support students through diversionary strategies like SBDI and SBDI-E, fostering more supportive school environments.
Associate Vice President of School and Community Initiatives, Child Health and Development Institute
Special Feature
juvenile ARt Silent Auction
The JAM: Juvenile Art Market was established in early 2024 in support of the talent, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit of the youth of Juvenile Residential Services.
Paintings, jewelry, t-shirts, quilling projects, and more were first offered for sale during a Second Chance Month Art Auction held at CSSD in Glastonbury in April 2023.
In October of 2024, the kids of JRS had their first public art exhibition at The 224 EcoSpace in Hartford. In year one, JAM sales exceeded $2000.00
All art is created by JRS youth and 100% of proceeds go directly into their reentry wallets.
To learn more about JAM, please contact simone.harris@jud.ct.gov.
performance & Live mural
Hip hop for the homeless
Since 2013, Hip-Hop for the Homeless has united music, art, and purpose, raising awareness and providing resources for food- and housing-insecure communities across Connecticut.
In addition to the live performance, attendees will be invited to contribute to a collaborative live mural throughout the day, bringing together community, creativity, and a shared commitment to youth justice.
Hip-Hop for the Homeless operates year-round, utilizing events to support local nonprofits through donation drives and advocacy efforts. Learn more about their mission, upcoming events, and ways to support or volunteer by visiting their website.
Meet Founder, Joey battaglia also knows as Joey Batts
Joey Battaglia aka Joey Batts was born & raised in Uniondale, New York. He started his freshman year at the University of Hartford in 2000 and has been a Connecticut resident ever since. Using his fame and popularity in the music and arts community, the last 11 years has seen Joey take on various community efforts, most notably – Hip Hop for the Homeless. A series of rap concerts that collects food and clothing at venues in different cities and donates all proceeds (both goods & profit) to a cooperating non profit that works closely with the homeless and hungry.
A constant in the Hartford HipHop scene, Joey can be found on stages in New England, live painting at community gatherings, or MC-ing an event in your town. Possibly even more impressive, Mr. Batts has been a school teacher for almost two decades – a two time Teacher of the Year candidate, he spends his days teaching Language Arts in Hartford County.
In a Proclamation signed by the Mayor of Hartford, and the Governor of Connecticut, May 16th is Honorary “Joey Batts Day” in the City of Hartford.
Above all, he is your self proclaimed “Best Friend.”