Adam Qayyum’s Post

As graduation quickly approaches, I am eager to reflect on the profound insights and experiences from our capstone project. This endeavor, in collaboration with the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), has greatly enhanced my understanding of the critical intersection between legislation, youth cognitive development, and the rehabilitative potential of the criminal justice system. Our capstone focused on the significant impact of California’s legislative reforms—SB 260, SB 261, and AB 1308—on youth parole. These laws mark a shift from a punitive system to one that is rehabilitative, offering young offenders a well-deserved second chance and paving the way for them to reintegrate into society successfully. Our research emphasized the broader societal benefits of these reforms, including reduced recidivism rates and strengthened community bonds. We delved into the essential role that youth cognitive development plays in legislative reform. By examining how these laws recognize the need to view young offenders as youth first, our findings underscored the necessity of more compassionate and effective policies. Working alongside dedicated teammates Leigh Conner, Isaiah Mendoza, Lareina Wang, Alex Yurcaba, and ARC's Associate Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Celina Chapin, we proposed policy enhancements aimed at improving California's approach to youth justice and explored possibilities for national implementation. These recommendations are designed to address immediate rehabilitation needs and to foster long-term societal benefits. This capstone project has been instrumental in shaping my perspective on how interdisciplinary approaches can inform and enhance public policy and human services. As I transition into my professional career, I am enthusiastic about applying these valuable lessons across various fields, advocating for policies that are grounded in scientific understanding and aimed at comprehensive community welfare. I am deeply grateful for the support from my teammates, ARC, Professor Kalima Johnson, and NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, all of whom have contributed significantly to this journey. The road ahead is filled with opportunities to integrate these critical insights into broader professional pursuits. #PublicService #YouthJustice #Advocacy #NYUWagner

🚨 Groundbreaking new research paper highlights link between quality early childhood education and care and a reduction in youth crime 🚨 Queensland childhood experts saying the report should be a major consideration for all political parties ahead of tomorrow's state election. The "Impact of a Preschool Communication Program and Comprehensive Family Support on Serious Youth Offending" report examined the impact of Queensland’s Pathways to Prevention Project, finding that the preschool program reduced the number of young people becoming involved in the judicial system by more than 50 per cent. The report also highlights the long-term benefits of early prevention programs as a more cost effective measure to deal with youth offending than remedial approaches, and suggests that community partnerships, allied health supports, and evidence-based strategies should form a key part of any youth justice strategy. PeakCare's state election platform has called for evidence based early intervention initiatives within existing literature to be front and centre of government investment to protect our state's future prosperity. We welcome the findings of this study as additional evidence that reforming our early learning and care system and making sure kids and families get access to the wrap-around supports they need in their early years needs to be a part of the solution. Find out more about the report 👉 https://lnkd.in/geiGyHbx Read PeakCare's state election platform 👉 https://lnkd.in/gYKb-48z Australian Institute of Criminology Griffith University PeakCare Queensland Essential Tom Allsop #Queensland #PathwaysToPrevention #Child #Protection #Youth #Justice #Evidence #Research #Initiatives #Early #Intervention #Prevention #Election #Commitments #Platform #Community #Safety #ECEC #RightToEducation #Advocacy #YourPeak

⭐ Thanks, PeakCare Queensland for highlighting this important and illuminating research. ⭐ The lives of Queensland’s children living in out-of-home care are shaped by the profound impacts of early trauma, abuse, and neglect on their cognitive, social, and emotional development.   Up to 63% of Queensland's young people involved in the youth justice system are disengaged from education and many have experienced family violence and trauma.   Early intervention with the implementation of holistic, trauma-informed learning support can affect transformative change in the lives of children and young people living in out-of-home care.   Aligned with PeakCare Queensland's state election platform calling for evidence-based early intervention initiatives, we’re asking the Queensland Government to help fund and expand access for 4–8-year-olds to our Little Stars Learners program, a comprehensive, trauma-informed, trauma-responsive, relationship-based learning intervention for children living in out-of-home care.   Our evidence-based program helps to re-wire trauma-affected brains to prevent the ongoing impacts of trauma including involvement with the youth justice system, close development gaps, and stop the cycle of abuse. We do this by establishing a deep connection first, empowering the learners (and their carers) to feel seen, safe, heard, and valued - laying the groundwork for transformative learning experiences. Through a blend of fun, games, and flexibility, we foster a lifelong love for learning that helps to prevent   Our Little Stars Learners program not only transforms young lives but also delivers a high return on investment. For every $1 invested, $5.60 of social and economic value is created, benefiting children, carers, the education system, and the community at large, as confirmed by our recent Social Return on Investment Analysis completed by Lumenia.   📰 View the Lumenia report: https://lnkd.in/gd84VM52   📺 Watch our compelling new video that highlights our vital work at the Little Stars Foundation including our Little Stars Learners program here: https://lnkd.in/g7eyPmGy   🌠 Donate or become a corporate sponsor to help Queensland kids thrive: https://lnkd.in/gxGsXs34 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ggCEa8bW ⭐  ⭐  ⭐     PeakCare Queensland Australian Institute of Criminology Griffith University Essential Tom Allsop #Queensland #PathwaysToPrevention #Child #Protection #Youth #Justice #Evidence #Research #Initiatives #Early #Intervention #Prevention #Election #Commitments #Platform #Community #Safety #ECEC #RightToEducation #Advocacy #YourPeak #Trauma

As we continue our Voter Education Campaign, The Time is Right for Social Justice and Social Workers DO VOTE! As social workers, our advocacy extends beyond the workplace—it also includes our role as informed and engaged citizens. Here’s why your vote matters- Protecting Social Services: Local, state, and federal policies directly impact the availability of social services and the funding allocated to critical programs. Advocating for Change: Your vote can shape policies that affect social justice, healthcare, education, and other areas central to our profession. Amplifying Marginalized Voices: Many individuals who rely on social services often face obstacles that make it harder for them to vote. As advocates, we have the opportunity to ensure their concerns and needs are heard and represented in the democratic process. Voting is Social Work - https://lnkd.in/eApJn2yM

Have you ever wondered why Trump seems more benign to people now than he did in 2016? Or why the public raised million of dollars to support people who lost their houses during emergencies like fire or flood (as we should) but not for the homeless? Why are some things that weren't acceptable to us now just a given. There's a theory behind it called Overton's Window. https://lnkd.in/gcfYpv3q If you are developing policy positions for upcoming elections you need to understand how this works and how to work with it. The window explains why populism is so palatable to us. We are really good at socialising concepts with each other, normalising things we once wouldn't have seen as normal. This can be a good thing, think the human rights of LGBTIQA+ people, but it can also be a bad thing.

Exploring the Intersection of Poverty, Education, and Justice in the U.S. I recently was involved in helping a disadvantaged family navigate their way through the long and frustrating arena of the criminal justice system in a small Texas County. I was limited in ways to help, since I'm not a lawyer, but from the outside looking in, they had very little chance for victory in the courtroom. With over 15 years' experience in criminal law, much of it in courtrooms across the country, I was astounded at the lack of adherence to this court's local rules, to the Texas Constitution, and even the U.S. Constitution. It's time to shine a brighter light on a stark reality: in today's criminal justice system, being poor, learning disabled, and/or uneducated most often means facing a steep uphill battle. As someone deeply committed to advocating for fairness and equality, I can't help but acknowledge the glaring disparities that persist in our society. For individuals lacking financial resources or access to quality education, navigating the complexities of our legal system becomes an almost insurmountable challenge. From securing competent legal representation to understanding legal proceedings, the barriers faced by the economically disadvantaged are manifold. As we strive for a more just and equitable society, it's imperative that we address these systemic inequities head-on. By advocating for policies that prioritize access to legal resources and educational opportunities for all, we can work towards leveling the playing field and ensuring that every individual, regardless of socioeconomic status, has a fair chance at receiving justice. Let's join forces to create a future where justice truly is blind to wealth and education. The family I helped is facing still more battles in the form of reporting possible prosecutorial misconduct, civil rights violations, and incompetent defense counsel. They are fighting for their lives, and they have no money for weapons. I'll continue to do the best I can for them. #JusticeForAll #Equality #SocialJustice #WhoWillHelp

HELP KEEP OUR DEMOCRACY FUNCTIONING: VOTE FOR THE RIGHT TO READ! Access to diverse books is not only essential to a strong education and a free mind, it’s critical to a healthy democracy. Reading is our most powerful tool for developing analytic and critical thinking. It expands our conceptual capacities. It trains perspective-taking and cognitive empathy – social skills indispensable for informed citizens in a democratic society. But, we’re currently in the midst of a book banning crisis. Well-funded pressure groups are pushing state governments to impose educational gag orders on teachers and staff. They’re mandating the removal of books from library and school shelves. Polling repeatedly shows that communities across our country agree that families should be able to decide for themselves what their children can and cannot read. Not another parent. And certainly not a politician. At their core, these laws are anti-family, anti-freedom, and anti-American. These pressure groups won’t quit pushing for anti-education policies. Nor will state and local legislators refrain from introducing such bills until we put a stop to it at the ballot box. Like in the election that’s coming up in November. GO HERE FOR A VOTER CHECKLIST TO ENSURE THAT WE DO JUST THAT: https://lnkd.in/gPz-U5Rj

🇺🇸 It’s time to put people over politics.🇺🇸 I’m bombarded with political rhetoric that pits blue versus red and red versus blue, leaving no room for conversation or solutions. With an almost even split between Republicans and Democrats in Pennsylvania - not to mention a growing group of registered Independents - it’s time to unite our ‘purple’ communities and solve problems that affect all of us. 📍 How can we fix the economy and ensure working families keep more of their hard-earned dollars? 📍How can we secure the border while welcoming those seeking refuge and legal pathways to citizenship? 📍How can we improve mental health, make healthcare affordable and support our veterans and aging populations? 📍How can we ensure every child has a family and every family can afford childcare? 📍How can we strengthen education, build a talented workforce and attract businesses to invest locally? 📍How can we leverage our natural resources to lower energy costs while also protecting our environment? 📍How can we tackle crime and drugs while ensuring the law is applied fairly? No party owns the answers. But together we can find them. As a registered Republican, I work and volunteer every day with people of all party affiliations who care more about making the world better than scoring partisan points. That's what I'm about. That's what the people of Pennsylvania deserve. 💻 www.WoodinForPASenate.com #Republicans #Democrats #Independents #PeopleOverPolitics #Vote #Election2024 #2024election #PASenate #PAPolitics #DelawareCountyPA #ChesterCountyPA #Chesco #Delco #Pennsylvania

Today justice was denied! Before we examine why, let's remind ourselves of the 'what'. On 25th January 2024, Warwickshire County Council was debating Special Educational Needs provision, and three councillors (Councillor Hammersley, Councillor Golby, Councillor Morgan) offered views which were abhorent, inaccurate and highly damaging to one of the most vulnerable parts of our society: 👉"Why are there so many people now jumping out with these needs? Where were they in the past when I was at school. I'd never heard of SEND" 👉"They must of had better ways of dealing with them, at that time. Let's go back to some of those ways" 👉"I don't know what the fix is, I just look back at years gone by, those people were dealt with by whatever means. It was right at the time" 👉"To stop this spend fix the problem at source. An investigation took place into hundreds of complaints and yet all three councillors have just been cleared of breaching the authority's code of conduct. It seems that they will not resign, so please let's vote them out at the next opportunity! 👨👩👦👦 Who is with us here? Give this post a like if you are disappointed too and think society needs to do better? ⁉ PS: Let me know in the comments what you thought of their statements and where have your families faced an unecessary fight to secure basic human rights for our kids? #NeuroInclusionNow #Neurodiversity #AutismAcceptance Video ID: Council meeting where three Councillors were debating Special Educational Needs

Thanks Dan Harris FRSA for highlighting this. I feel sick to my stomach listening to these views. Here's some of my thoughts and responses. 👉"Why are there so many people now jumping out with these needs? Where were they in the past when I was at school. I'd never heard of SEND" Not only were many SEND children institutionalised, many went undiagnosed and suffered terribly. My Autistic dad has recently been diagnosed in his 60s. He might have been sitting in your classroom in the 60s (or maybe hiding in the toilet) but that lack of awareness and diagnosis led to decades of trauma, poor mental health and suffering. I don't want that for my autistic son. 👉"They must of had better ways of dealing with them, at that time. Let's go back to some of those ways" See above. Locking away those with visable/profound needs and subjecting less obviously SEND people to ongoing trauma isnt a 'better way'. 👉"I don't know what the fix is, I just look back at years gone by, those people were dealt with by whatever means. It was right at the time" But it wasnt right at the time. We know more now and we can and should do better. 👉"To stop this spend fix the problem at source. That depends what it means to 'fix the problem'. There are days when I grieve the things that my autistic ADHD son can't manage to do/access. He will always be Autistic though- that is not something that can/should be 'fixed'. The problem isn't him- its the systems that make it so hard for him to thrive, and the attitudes like yours that minimise the challenges that families like ours face. These include an inflexible school system, lack of access the proper CAHMS/CYPS support and appropriate medications (my son has been waiting for 18 months for management of his ADHD) and an ECHP system that relies on already stretched parents going through the courts to get proper support for their children.