The Massachusetts Senate has voted to approve an amendment that would raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include most 18-year-olds. The measure, known as "Raise the Age" by supporters, passed by a 31–9 vote and has been added to the Senate's economic development bond bill (S.2856). If enacted, most 18-year-olds charged with eligible offenses would be handled in the juvenile justice system rather than the adult criminal justice system. The proposal would not chang

We are so excited to introduce one of the newest members of our Board of Directors— Welcome to Our New Board Member, Avery Borreliz! Avery is a Litigation & Trial associate at Latham & Watkins LLP in Boston, where she represents clients in complex commercial litigation while maintaining an active pro bono practice advocating for juveniles, veterans, and refugees. Her career reflects a deep commitment to expanding opportunity and supporting individuals facing systemic barriers

The federal government has announced plans to move oversight of special education programs and education-related civil rights enforcement. Under the change, special education responsibilities will be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services, while education civil rights enforcement will be moved to the Department of Justice. This is a part of several sweeps from the current administration during this term to dismantle the federal Department of Education. As

On May 20th, YAF Executive Director, Michele Gershman Scavongelli, participated in the Youth At Risk Conference in Beverly, MA, presenting alongside Scott Hulgan, AIC of Salem YAD, and Maria Ventullo, AIC of Salem CAFL. Their training, "The Intersection of Education & Juvenile Court," reached 35 attorneys, social workers, school staff, and youth-serving professionals — providing valuable tools and knowledge to better support young people navigating both the education and juve

A new Boston Globe investigation found that many Massachusetts schools are still using isolated “timeout rooms” for students — often children with disabilities — without requiring parents to be notified. Families and advocates say the practice can be traumatic and lacks accountability, while state officials argue updated regulations are meant to improve safety and oversight. The debate is raising bigger questions about how schools support students in crisis and protect vulner

🏃‍♂️💨 YAF showed up and showed OUT this weekend! Our staff had the honor of manning a water stop for the Marathon Coalition's charity runners — including 3 of 5 of our very own Team YAF — as they tackled their longest training run yet: 20 miles! 🙌 Before they headed out, our President & CEO, Marlies Spanjaard, spoke to the runners about YAF's mission and the young people whose lives they're helping change with every mile they run. We are so incredibly grateful for our amaz

Yesterday, a Massachusetts Superior Court judge denied the state's motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit fighting for special education services for students with disabilities in Houses of Correction — and it was a strongly worded decision! (Read the full decision attached below) This case, filed in April 2024, jointly by the EdLaw Project of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, Latham and Watkins LLP, and the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee, shines a light o

Yesterday, we paused to honor Gideon Day — a critical reminder that justice should never depend on your income or means. Gideon Day commemorates the landmark 1963 Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright, which established that the Constitution guarantees the right to legal counsel for people who cannot afford an attorney in criminal cases. It's a ruling that changed lives and one whose impact we still feel today. At YAF, we remain committed to supporting the EdLaw Project in

We are beyond proud to celebrate our incredible board member, Dr. Darnell Thigpen Williams, on this tremendous achievement! Darnell's dissertation, Black Excellence by Design, is not just an academic milestone, it is a blueprint for the very transformation we fight for everyday at the YAF. His work to center Black brilliance and reimagine K–12 education speaks directly to our mission of ending the cradle-to-prison pipeline. We know real change starts in the classroom, and Dr.