Issues Forum: Positive Approaches to the School-to-Prison Pipeline

“Positive Approaches to the School-to-Prison Pipeline”
Join the First District Democrats at our 2017 Issues Forum as we consider these critical issues and develop solutions to them:

The school-to-prison pipeline – Students in our schools are facing an increasing pattern of contact with the juvenile and adult criminal systems because of recent practices implemented by our educational systems – zero-tolerance policies and the use of police in our schools. Too many children end up being suspended, expelled or arrested for minor offenses and behaviors. Many of these are status offenses – which are actions that are prohibited behaviors by minors,

Use of force – Washington is the only state with a “without malice and with good faith” defense for law enforcement officers. Many experts contend that the language provides de facto immunity to law enforcement officers in even egregious circumstances, while others believe the standard provides proper protection to law enforcement considering the difficult and dangerous nature of the job.

Poverty and homelessness – Frequently our youth are dealing with problems that are unsolvable for them – like being homeless, poverty, or a history of abuse and neglect – which cause them to act out. Many are afraid to ask for assistance or do not know how to do so, thus becoming more vulnerable and isolated, skipping school, running away and acting out.

Gender and racial bias – Children of color and LGBTQ youth have a higher documented frequency of behavioral problems and are more severely disciplined for their actions than their peers. Girls are more frequently targeted by school dress codes and disciplined for non-compliance despite often facing poverty, homelessness, sexual abuse or harassment that results in their acting-out behaviors. Girls who are homeless, dealing with poverty, and other trauma are then vulnerable to sex trafficking.

Schedule
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Registration
9:30 AM – 9:40 AM
Greeting, Welcome and Forum Overview
9:40 AM – 10:10 AM
Speaker:
Dr. Karen Johnson
Chair and Co-Founder, Black Alliance of Thurston County
10:10 AM – 10:40 AM
Speaker:
Manka Dhingra
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County
Candidate for WA State Senate, 45th Legislative District
10:40 AM – 11:10 AM
Speaker:
Rev. Terri Stewart
Director and Founder, Youth Chaplaincy Coalition
11:10 AM – 11:20 AM
Break
11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Speaker:
Dr. Chris Bigelow
Director of Student Services, Northshore School District
11:50 AM – 12:20 PM
Speaker:
Gina Cumbo
Project Director, Center for Children & Youth Justice
12:20 PM – 12:50 PM
Lunch
12:50 PM – 1:50 PM
Breakout Sessions – Round 1
Topics for discussion:
Police on school campuses
How do we make our schools a safe space for at risk students?
Alternatives to prevent diversion/exclusion
Race and its impact
Gender and its impact
Special needs students and accommodations
Reducing the use of force in community policing
Beyond the Courts: Peacemaking in Our Communities
Status offenses
Foster care and child welfare
1:50 PM – 2:00 PM
Break
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Breakout Sessions – Round 2
Move to a different table and tackle another topic
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
Breakout groups report back
3:20 PM – 3:30 PM
Wrap-up and Evaluations