
Juvenile Justice Summit:
Building Stronger Futures Together
December 3-5, 2025
Orange Beach, AL
Overview
The Alabama Juvenile Justice Summit is a pivotal statewide forum dedicated to advancing the juvenile justice system in Alabama. This summit aims to unite stakeholders—including policymakers, practitioners, educators, community leaders, and youth advocates—to foster a shared understanding of the challenges facing youth and the communities served by Alabama’s juvenile justice system.
The purpose of the summit is to drive meaningful improvements in outcomes for youth by facilitating collaboration and innovation. Through engaging discussions, workshops, and presentations, participants will explore evidence-based practices, policies, and program implementation strategies. The summit will also serve as a platform to share critical data, research, and outcomes, empowering stakeholders to prioritize and address key issues effectively.
This event seeks to strengthen partnerships, inspire actionable solutions, and promote a juvenile justice system that uplifts Alabama’s youth and communities.
Available Dates | December 3-5, 2025 |
Registration Fees | Early Bird – $199 (before October 31, 2025) Standard – $249 |
Location | Perdido Beach Resort |
Lodging | Perdido Beach Resort |
Keynote Speaker | Brett Peterson Hasan Davis |
Hosted by:


Call for Posters
Poster Presentations are geared toward students (undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level) who have been learning about conducting research in juvenile justice and are looking to gain experience presenting their research at conferences. Additionally, clinicians or professors who have completed or are conducting research may apply to share their findings. Posters can share new findings, ideas, or research related to the field of juvenile justice.
Submission Guidelines
- Poster presentations must be submitted via the online Poster Presentation Application.
- Applications are due by October 15, 2025.
- Incomplete submissions and submissions received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
- Research may be presented as “proposed,” “in progress,” or “completed.”
- Poster presenters may include students (undergraduate and graduate level), faculty, and practicing clinicians.
- On the submission form, each poster may have up to 3 presenters.
- Only one submission per Lead Presenter will be accepted. Lead Presenters may submit up to 3 presentations for review.
- The Lead Presenter is responsible for ensuring the application is accurate and complete. You will not be notified if your submission is incomplete.
- Each presenter must be registered for at least one day of the conference to present.
Poster Presentation Format
- A visual presentation (no larger than 3′ x 4′ [36″ x 48″] and MUST BE mounted) of data, research, outcomes, advocacy, or other juvenile justice issues.
- Posters should be in an illustrated or engaging format/layout.
- Poster boards are placed on standing easels in a ballroom. Posters must be mounted on cardboard, poster board, or foam board.
- At least one presenter for each poster is required to be at their poster during the entire length of the poster session. Presenters may not share more than one poster at a time.
- Poster presenters may not request specific placement of their posters; all poster placement will be first-come, first-served.
Timeline
- October 15, 2025: End Date for Call for Poster Proposals
- October 31, 2025: Presenters Notified of Acceptance
- November 7, 2025: Presenters Must Confirm Presentation and Register for Summit
Continuing Education Units
Continuing Education details will be available once the agenda is finalized.
Agenda
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
1:00 – 1:30 pm | Welcome and Opening Remarks | |
1:30 – 3:00 pm | Keynote Presentation: The Dialectic of Leadership | Brett M. Peterson, JD., Founder, Justice Path Advisors |
3:00 -3:30 pm | Break with Exhibitors | |
3:30 – 4:45 pm | Breakout Sessions Group I | |
Session 101 Building Resilience in Youth: Utilizing Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) in Juvenile Justice Settings | Fatima Johnson, Ph.D, LPC-S, Alabama Department of Youth Services | |
Session 102 Family Matters: Engagement through Evidence-Based Strategies and Creative Solutions | Korah Skuce, LICSW, AMIkids Regional Director Dr. Amy Bradshaw Hoppock, AMIkids Vice President, Behavioral Health | |
Session 103 Guiding Growth Through Education: Specialized Treatment Centers (STCs) Cultivating Positive Change In Juvenile Justice | Dr. Margaret M. Jones, Alabama State Department of Education, Education Administrator, Office of Charter Schools and Specialized Treatment Centers (STCs) | |
Session 104 Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS) Funded Diversion Programs: Exploring how DYS invested in local Communities to Facilitate Improved Outcomes for Alabama Youth | Monica Roland, LICSW, Proposal Development Administrator, Youth Services Institute | |
Session 105 Breaking the Cycle: Analyzing Youth Crime Recidivism in Alabama | Lewis H. Lee, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, University of Alabama Mandi R. Fowler, PhD, LICSW-S, Youth Services Institute, The University of Alabama | |
Session 106 TBA | Brett Peterson, JD., Founder, Justice Path Advisors | |
5:30 – 6:30 pm | Reception |
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
8:30 – 10:00 am | Panel Presentation | Moderator: Jason Granholm, Executive Director, Coosa Valley Youth Services |
10:00 – 10:30 am | Break with Exhibitors | |
10:30 am -noon | Breakout Sessions Group II | |
Session 207 Credible Messengers As Community Health Care Providers | Eldra Jackson III; Executive Director-Inside Circle & CEO Legacy Vision Unlimited LLC | |
Session 208 Juvenile Justice & Day Treatment: a New Day, a New Way | David Gray and Team, St Clair County Day Program Inc. | |
Session 209 Education and Job Readiness Opportunities for Youth in Alabama | Dr. Tracy Smitherman, Superintendent of DYS School District Dr. Tessa Brown, Assistant Director, Alabama Community College System | |
Session 210 Embedding Reentry Programming into the Weekly Schedule of Juvenile Justice Facilities: Linking What Works to Youth Needs for Brighter Futures | Kristine Jolivette, Ph.D., Paul W. and Mary Harmon Bryant Endowed Professor, University of Alabama Olivia R. Hester, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, University of Alabama Sara Sanders, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, University of Alabama | |
Session 211 Is Your Juvenile Justice System Making the Best Decisions? | Melissa Sickmund, PhD; Retired Director, National Center for Juvenile Justice | |
Session 212 Brains Under Pressure: How Stress and Trauma Shape Youth Behavior | Joy Winchester, M.S. Wired for Success: The Joy of Neuro, LLC | |
12:00 – 1:30 pm | Lunch | Luncheon Presenter: Chief Justice Sarah Stewart |
1:30 – 2:00 pm | Break with Exhibitors | |
2:00 – 3:15 pm | Breakout Sessions Group III | |
Session 313 Credible Messengers As Community Health Care Providers | Eldra Jackson III; Executive Director-Inside Circle & CEO Legacy Vision Unlimited LLC | |
Session 314 Gang Violence: A Comprehensive Approach to Reducing or Eliminating Gang Violence in Juvenile Justice Facilities | Sharon Pette, CEO/Owner, Effective System Innovations (ESI) LLC Felix Mickens, CEO, Mickens and Associates | |
Session 315 Wired for Survival: Understanding the Traumatized Brain in Justice-Involved Youth | Lindamarie Olson, PhD, LICSW, Assistant Professor, University of Alabama School of Social Work | |
Session 316 Hope, Accountability, and Change: Community-Based Treatment of Youth With Illegal Sexual Behavior | Jill R. Beck, Youth Services Institute, University of Alabama School of Social Work | |
Session 317 Justice with Dignity: Trauma-Informed Approaches in Juvenile Courtrooms | Jeff Hyatt, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer-Calhoun County Cotina Stroud, LPC-S | |
Session 318 Is Your Juvenile Justice System Making the Best Decisions? | Melissa Sickmund, PhD; Retired Director, National Center for Juvenile Justice | |
3:30 – 4:45 pm | Breakout Sessions Group IV | |
Session 419 Best Practices for Treating Youth with Illegal Sexual Behavior in Residential Care: Clinical and Legal Considerations | Chastity Farr, PhD; Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences; Department of Youth Services ABSOP Program Clinical Director Raven Livingston, PhD, LMFT; Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences; Department of Youth Services ABSOP Program Clinical Manager Melody Nelson, MS, LMFT; Auburn University, Department of Psychological Sciences; Department of Youth Services ABSOP Program Training/Clinical Supervisor | |
Session 420 Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS) Funded Diversion Programs: Exploring how DYS invested in local Communities to Facilitate Improved Outcomes for Alabama Youth | Monica Roland, LICSW, Proposal Development Administrator, Youth Services Institute | |
Session 421 Optimizing PowerSchool in Juvenile Justice Settings: Strategies for Improving Educational Outcomes | Lisa Baker, Educational Coordinator, Alabama Department of Youth Services – School District 210 | |
Session 422 Grant Writing for Beginners | Laure E. Clemons, Executive Director, Extended Family | |
Session 423 From Children’s Policy Council to System of Services: A Roadmap for Community Transformation Based on the Dallas County, Alabama Model | Judge Robert Armstrong, III, CEO, Dallas County System of Services Greg Dreveny, Chief Operations Officer, Dallas County System of Services Astrid Craig, Senior Programs Officer, Dallas County System of Services Rosemary Watters, CFO, Dallas County System of Services | |
Session 424 Brains Under Pressure: How Stress and Trauma Shape Youth Behavior | Joy Winchester, M.S. Wired for Success: The Joy of Neuro, LLC |
Friday, December 5, 2025
Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
---|---|---|
8:30 – 9:45 am | Breakout Sessions Group V | |
Session 525 Gang Violence: A Comprehensive Approach to Reducing or Eliminating Gang Violence in Juvenile Justice Facilities | Sharon Pette, CEO/Owner, Effective System Innovations (ESI) LLC Felix Mickens, CEO, Mickens and Associates | |
Session 526 Secondary Traumatic Stress: Best Practices for Staff Wellness and Self-Care in Juvenile Justice Settings | Brian Bride, Ph.D., Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Academic Chair in Mental Health, University of Alabama School of Social Work | |
Session 527 TBA | ||
Session 528 Operationalizing Rehabilitation: Turning Behavior Science into Action | Daniel Sheridan, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, Co-Director of Behavior Analytic Services, Department of Youth Services & Auburn University Dr. Ashley Anderson, DYS and Auburn University | |
Session 529 TBA | ||
Session 530 TBA | ||
10:15 – 11:30 am | Keynote Presentation | Hasan Davis, J.D., Founder/CEO, Hasan Davis Solutions L.L.C. |

Keynote Speakers
Brett Peterson

Brett Peterson Bio
Brett Peterson is a nationally recognized leader in youth justice reform and implementation. With deep expertise in system operation and policy, he offers a unique ability to bridge complex policy theory with practical, real-world application. As the former Director of the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services, Brett successfully oversaw the management of comprehensive care, from early intervention to secure facilities and parole. His leadership resulted in significant reforms, including landmark legislation that excluded youth under 12 from the formal system. Brett’s advocacy and expertise led to a more than 50% reduction in detention usage in Utah and the expansion of early intervention programs for thousands of youth.
Brett is the founder of Justice Path Advisors, where he leverages his extensive operational experience and trauma-informed perspective to help systems achieve excellence, accountability, and safety. A powerful and engaging speaker, he frequently addresses topics such as leadership, organizational culture, best practices, and policy frameworks. As the immediate past president of the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators, he has provided expert testimony to Congress and technical assistance to youth justice leaders in over 50 jurisdictions.
Hasan Davis

Hasan Davis Bio
As a youth, Hasan barely stayed one step ahead of the law. After an early arrest as a pre-teen, expulsion from alternative school and a lifelong struggle with learning and behavior challenges, ADHD, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Hasan earned his GED and with encouragement and support decided to leave the life he knew well, for one he could hardly imagine.
Hasan talked his way into Berea College. And although he was expelled twice, he returned a third time, determined to prove that failure would not be his lasting legacy. With the renewed mindset Hasan earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communications from Berea College and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Kentucky College of Law.
Hasan has been recognized for his professional and personal efforts serving children, youth, and families across a continuum of care from early education to juvenile justice, child welfare, and the arts. He is a Rockefeller Foundation-Next Generation Leadership Fellow, a Council of State Governments-Henry Toll Fellow, an Education Trust-Family Education Fellow, and an Annie E. Casey-Children and Family Fellow.
While leading complex youth service organizations Hasan has held firm to the belief that all children can find success when the adults in their world create and nurture hope.
In 2012 Hasan became Kentucky’s fifth Commissioner of Juvenile Justice. During his tenure he was instrumental in reforming Kentucky’s juvenile justice system. He has served as Chair of Kentucky’s Statewide Advisory group on Juvenile Justice, Vice-Chair of the Federal Advisory Group on Juvenile Justice and was recently appointed to Kentucky’s Children’s Justice Act Taskforce and currently serves and it’s Chair.
In 2015 Davis founded Hasan Davis Solutions to continue his work supporting youth and families across the nation by creating meaningful engagement, coaching, and training experiences for the amazing teams of professionals committed to transformational youth success in justice, education, and social service environments.
Hasan is also the author of four books and an actor, researching, producing and performing interpretative living history programs that highlight the important but often unacknowledged contributions of African Americans to the shaping of America. His most celebrated program chronicled the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition through the eyes of the mission’s most unique member, York the Black explorer enslaved by the expedition’s Co-Captain, William Clark.
Hasan lives in Berea Kentucky with his wife Dreama, a national Expert in Rural Access to cradle-to-career success and their two college age sons.
Conference Location and Lodging
Hotel | Perdido Beach Resort |
Cost | $135/night |
Room Block Dates | until November 3, 2025 |
Lodging is the responsibility of the attendee.
A room block is available at Perdido Beach Resort. The discounted room rate of $135 is available until the block fills or until November 3, 2025.
You will receive the hotel booking code in your registration confirmation email.
Registration
Register Online
You will be taken to our online registration area. The screen will look different from this part of our website and will open in a new window. You will click on the year that you wish to register for. If you register more than one person, each must have an individual email address to utilize the online registration system.
Register By Mail
Navigate to a printable version of the form.
Register by Phone
Our Registration Services Office is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To register by phone or for inquiries regarding your registration, please call 205-348-3000.
Special Accommodation Requests
The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Please use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Any changes to the session registration type (example: in-person to virtual or virtual to in-person) within seven (7) calendar days of the program will be assessed a $25.00 administrative fee. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone or combine class sections, to limit registration or to change instructors. Contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu to cancel your registration. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy.

Sponsorship Levels for the Juvenile Justice Summit
The Juvenile Justice Summit connects your business with an engaged audience interested in learning and developing their toolbox. Choose a level below to reach your targeted audience.
Premier Sponsor $20,000 (1 available)
Only one premier sponsor opportunity is available and includes the following:
- Welcome Reception Sponsor
- Exhibit table in a prime location
- 2-3 minutes to talk about your organization at the welcome reception
- Five (5) conference passes
- Logo on the conference website
- Company name included in conference email communication to attendees
- Company logo listed in sponsor recognition slides displayed at the summit
- Recognition in the conference app
- Recognition on social media
- Recognition during reception
Luncheon Sponsor $15,000 (1 available)
Only one luncheon sponsor opportunity is available and includes the following:
- Exhibit table in a prime location
- 2-3 minutes to talk about your organization at the Luncheon
- Four (4) conference passes
- Logo on the conference website
- Company name included in conference communication to attendees
- Recognition in the Conference App
- Recognition during the conference luncheon
- Company logo listed in sponsor recognition slides
Breakfast Sponsor $10,000 (2 available)
Only two sponsor opportunities are available and include the following:
- Exhibit table in a prime location
- 2-3 minutes to talk about your organization at the end of the breakfast
- Three (3) conference passes
- Logo on the conference website
- Company name included in conference communication to attendees
- Recognition in the Conference App
- Recognition during the conference breakfast
- Company logo listed in sponsor recognition slides
Conference Bag or Notebook Sponsor $7,500 (2 available)
Only two sponsor opportunities are available and include the following:
- Company logo on the conference bag or notebook (sponsor’s choice based on availability)
- Exhibit table in a prime location
- Two (2) conference passes
- Logo on the conference website
- Company name included in conference communication to attendees
- Recognition in the Conference App
- Company logo listed in sponsor recognition slides
Break Sponsor $5,000 (2 available)
Only two sponsor opportunities are available and include the following:
- Exhibit table in a prime location
- Two (2) conference passes
- Logo on the conference website
- Company name included in conference communication to attendees
- Recognition in the Conference App
- Recognition during the conference break
- Company logo listed in sponsor recognition slides
Exhibit Table $2,000 (6 available)
Interested in sponsoring or exhibiting? Submit an application here.
Questions about the conference?
Contact Amanda Bergeron for more information.
