ABOUT THE PROJECT
Following the agreement to close Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School for girls, one crucial voice was left out of the planning stage, youth, specifically those who have been affected. We set out with the goal to provide an opportunity for WI youth to share their experiences. In this limited series you will hear 6 youth talk about youth justice.

EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS
Trailer: First look into the HearUs series featuring 6 WI youth with varying experiences with the youth justice and child welfare systems in WI.
Intro: Introducing the series with background on when the project began and recent events since then.

1. Inextricably Linked: Jamie and Keela talk about their experiences in the WI child welfare and youth justice system. Professionals Judge Everett Mitchell and Ragen Shapiro speak to trauma and youth justice referrals from their respective roles.
2. Intersection of Trauma: Megan and Mya speak about their life prior to entering the WI youth justice system. Professional Nicki Laudolff discusses the parts of the brain while Shannon Braden highlights the systems tendency to respond with a punitive approach.
3. Experiences Inside and Facility: Megan and Mya’s Story Continued: Megan and Mya talk about their experiences inside facilities in the WI youth justice system. Professional Shannon Braden speaks to reactionary behaviors and the systems focus on safety. Nicki Laudolff discusses an exercise for UW Madison Social Work students on decision making policies while Everett Mitchell rounds out with the power the system has.
4. Introducing Elijah and Termaine: Elijah and Termaine speak about their life and experiences prior to entering the WI youth justice system.
5. Experiences Inside A Facility: Elijah and Termaine’s Story Continued: Elijah and Termaine talk about their experiences inside facilities in the WI youth justice system. Professional Nicki Laudolff speaks to the effects of one night in detention while Shannon Braden suggests system change should include conversations around stigma and risk tolerance.
6. Recommendations: The youth participants share recommendations for the system and how they would handle things if they were in charge.
7. Looking to the Future: Erica asks Sharlen Moore where WI is now with regard to Act 185 and participants share their thoughts on the future.

YOUTH VOICES
Jamie, Keela, Elijah, Termaine, Mya, and Megan.

EXPERTS
Everett Mitchell, Dane County Circuit Court Judge
Shannon Braden, WIDCF Out-of-Home Care Section Manager
Ragen Shapiro, WIDCF Youth Services Section Manager
Nicki Laudolff, UW-Madison Youth Justice Curriculum Coordinator
Bryn Martyna, MMSD Coordinator of Progressive Discipline

PRODUCTION
Cover Art by Walker TKL.
Podcast episodes produced Bria B. Brown Productions.

RESOURCES
@racetoequity racetoequity.net
Youth Justice Referrals and Intake Report – WI Department of Children and Families