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• Mission Statement
• Accomplishments in Areas of Strategic Priorities 2001 to 2004
• Statement of Beliefs
• Vision Statement
• Board of Directors

To ensure excellence in juvenile defense and promote justice for all children.

Strategic Priority # 1: Supporting Defenders

1. Development of Website (Social Law Library Website Award)
2. Conducted and Publication of Maine Juvenile Defender Assessment
3. NEJDC Board and staff participation in Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania Assessments
4. Publication of Troubled Kids: Troubled Courts

Strategic Priority # 2: Humanizing Perceptions of Youth

1. Massachusetts Media Event October 2000
2. New Hampshire Media Event April 2001
3. Maine Media Events (Nov. 2001 and February 2002)
4. Connecticut Media Events (October and December 2002, February 2003)
5. Replication Effort with Central States Defender Center for March 2004
6. First Annual NEJDC Media Award to Portland Press Herald, October 2002
7. Second Annual NEJDC Media Award to Hartford Courant, December 2003
8. Replication of Media Events in Ohio and Kentucky, March 2004

Strategic Priority # 3: Challenging Conditions of Confinement

1. Fundraised $30,000 for support of legal challenges to conditions of confinement
2. Supported plaintiff’s attorney in Michael T. v. Magnuson in Maine ($15,000)
3. Support plaintiff’s attorney in Emily J. v. Rowland in Connecticut

General Advocacy

1. Participation in national coalitions opposing federal executive branch and congressional actions harmful to
   interests of juvenile justice.
2. Letters opposing execution of minors in other states
3. Letter writing campaign supporting 2003 federal legislation providing loan forgiveness for defenders

Organizational Accomplishments

1. Incorporation of NEJDC in Massachusetts.
2. Receipt of federal tax exempt status.
3. Development and creation of logo and promotional materials.
4. Participation in National Juvenile Defender Center’s regional support network.

We believe that:

• All children in the justice system must have ready and timely access to capable, well-resourced, well-trained legal counsel.
• Representation should be individualized, developmentally sound, and free of racial/ethnic, gender, and economic bias.
• Juvenile defenders should be an integral part of the justice system, with the time and resources necessary to be engaged at every state where a child's rights may be affected.
• Accountability and system reform must occur with input from the juvenile defense bar.
• Every child has strengths and the potential to become a productive member of society and has the right to certain constitutional and statutory protections.
• The juvenile defense bar must build its capacity, develop leadership and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism.
• The juvenile indigent defense system will be enhanced by greater oversight and community involvement.
• Collaboration with other child advocates can advance the work and role of the juvenile defender.

The National Juvenile Defender Center works to create an environment in which:

• Excellence is routine in juvenile defense.
• Juvenile defenders have the resources and capacity to fully protect children's rights.
• The representation of children is specialized and that adequate opportunities exist for juvenile defenders to enhance their legal, political, organizational, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Juvenile courts are sensitive and responsive to the needs of children.
  Resource and pay parity exist between juvenile defenders and juvenile prosecutors.
• Juvenile defenders have manageable caseloads and sufficient access to non-lawyer and administrative supports.
• Children are treated with respect, dignity, and fairness in the justice system.

PRESIDENT
Robert Sheil
Vermont
 

BOARD

Tony DeMarco, Treasurer
Massachusetts

Christine Rapillo, Secretary
Connecticut

Ned Chester
Maine

Anna Elbroch

New Hampshire

Barbara Kaban
Massachusetts

Pamela Marsh
Vermont

Tricia P Martland

Rhode Island

Chris Northrop
Maine

George Oleyer
Connecticut

Francine Sherman
Massachusetts

Michael Skibbie
New Hampshire

Wendy Wolf

Massachusetts