"...to maintain a
juvenile justice
alternative that
is operated for
and by youth..."
Association of
New York State Youth Courts
At the last ANYSYC meeting, an idea which has been in formation for some time has finally come to fruition. The Regional Reps were appointed for all seven regions of the state. These representatives are responsible for attending ANYSYC quarterly meetings, or finding another ANYSYC member to go in their stead, and disseminating the information from the meetings to the Youth Courts in their region. This can be done in smaller regional meetings, via teleconference call, or through group e-mails. The Regional Rep is also responsible for seeking out additional courts to join ANYSYC as members. At the time of this writing, the Regional Representatives and their contact information is as follows:
Western
Michael Torillo
716-689-1344 | mtorrillo@adelphi.net
Long Island
Maria Danisi
613-271-5547 | youthcourt@optonline.net
Mid-Hudson
Nancy Cormier
845-340-3622 | ncor@co.ulster.ny.us
Northeastern
Susan Taskin
518-565-4754 | taskins@co.clinton.ny.us
Katherine Chambers
518-746-6059 | kmgmonitoring@gmail.com
Finger Lakes
Deb Holland
585-396-4519 | Deb.Holland@co.ontario.ny.us
Central
Judy Wolfe
315-435-6345 | jwolfe@scsd.us
For a detailed map of ANYSYC regions, see the Regional Map. If you have questions about ANYSYC or your region, your Regional Representative is the best place to look for answers.
The last ANYSYC meeting also produced a panel of committees and willing volunteers to assist with one or more of these committees. The committees and responsibilities are as follows:
Membership: To work with Membership Coordinator to ensure that all courts are solicited for membership. To edit and maintain accurate statewide court information found in NYS Youth Court Directory.
Special Events: To develop and establish annual/bi-annual state wide events that would be beyond the scope of a quarterly meeting. Also to investigate and propose other special events that would be of interest to the membership, i.e. regional mock hearings, youth panel, etc.
Training: Be responsible for establishing training sessions to coincide with quarterly meetings. Also to assist new courts in securing necessary training and reference materials. To work in conjunction with Meeting Committee.
Meetings: To assist with coordination of the quarterly meetings to be held in various host courts across the state. Establish dates/locals for following year. Then to work with host court to ensure there is adequate promotion of the meeting, appropriate space/lodging, and equipment as needed. To work in conjunction with training committee.
By Laws, Legislation and Elections: To work with 2nd Vice President to ensure ANYSYC is in abeyance with by-laws and to propose changes/resolutions as needed. To work with state and local governments to promote ANYSYC and to work with government to establish legislation that could financially support Youth Courts. To ensure ANYSYC abides by election language in by-laws. To draft slate of officers for election and to ensure once elected officers are fulfilling their duties as required.
Funding: To investigate and secure funding from appropriate sources. To monitor current funding streams to ensure ANYSYC remains in compliance with funding terms.
Media and Promotion: To work to publicize ANYSYC and member court events through the creation and dissemination of press releases. To work with web designer on content and layout of web site to ensure timely and vital information is posted. To assist editor of newsletter in gathering content and editing of newsletter. To act as liaison with the National Association of Youth Courts to ensure that ANYSYC is actively promoted through the National Association's media outlets.
If you are interested or can bring your talents to any of these committees, please contact Judy Wolfe at pres@nysyouthcourts.org.
Using one of the most popular websites on the internet, Oswego County Youth Court hopes to encourage and educate the viewers on YouTube. In a nearly 6 minute video, created by Jim Arnold a friend and supporter of the Oswego Youth Court, the viewer learns what happens to a youth who is arrested, how their case ends up in Youth Court, what it entails to become a Youth Court volunteer, and how community leaders view the Youth Court program and process. This is all done in an entertaining and novel way. It currently is rating a full five star review. The video can be viewed currently on YouTube.