Children's Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana

The Indiana Coalition for Youth Justice (ICYJ) was created by Children’s Policy and Law Initiative of Indiana (CPLI) and Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) in 2019 and we’ve been building momentum ever since.

ICYJ is a statewide collaboration of over 45 organizations and individuals working to build a network of advocates working to ensure a developmental approach to the treatment of children and emerging adults between the ages of 12-24 who interact with the justice system in Indiana.

With one of the biggest elections less than a week away, it is critical for Indiana community organizations, leaders, and concerned residents to use their influence and position to acknowledge inequality and racial disparities in the juvenile justice system. Learn more and join us:

www.INyouthjustice.org

Yesterday we hosted our Positive School Discipline Institute event, Future Educator Conference: Creating a Foundation for Culturally-Responsive, Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices. We are thankful for IU Indianapolis - School of Education hosting us and IAAQLI for the support for this program.⭐️

It is paramount that we provide a wellness component in our program for educators. This event engaged pre-service teachers, school counselors, and social workers with speakers focused on these key areas:

📚Reforming exclusionary school discipline to end the school-to-prison pipeline

📚Implementing effective classroom management strategies and alternatives to school suspensions

📚Engaging students and their families through a culturally-responsive, trauma-informed lens

Thank you to everyone that participated and a huge thank you to our dynamic speakers for sharing their knowledge. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We had so much fun at our Topgolf fundraiser celebrating the work and impact of CPLI to end the school-to-prison pipeline and advocate for youth justice.

Thanks to everyone that joined us and special thanks to our amazing silent auction donors and sponsors who helped make this event possible:

Ice Miller
Indiana State Teachers Association
Waples & Hanger
Minority Health Coalition of Marion County
St Luke’s United Methodist Church
Crew Carwash
Quality Walls and Ceilings
Ignite Wellbeing
Purpose of Life Ministries
B. Majors Publishing
Lori & Gary Chambers
Dr. Gwendolyn Kelley
Toby Miller
Meisha Wide
Calvin Roberson
Cody Bright
Jill Johnson
Rachelle Anthony

Educators, school counselors and school resource officers deserve investment in their professional development to help create safe environments for students to thrive.

Thanks to a generous grant from Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative we are offering training for free for Marion County schools and youth serving programs.

Join us for the next cohort of our Positive School Discipline Institute this November. Scan the QR code to attend our info session on October 3rd at 4pm.

🗣️YOUth Are Worth It!

It’s here! Youth Justice Action Month starts today! 🎉

This year’s theme “YOUth Are Worth It” uplifts the belief that youth are worth investments in the full scope of community resources they need to thrive!

Tell us - what youth investments do you want in your community?

We are creating space for youth to feel safe and heard. Join our Teen Youth Justice Summit on September 21 to hear about what they envision to make change in our community plus other key issues directly from the voice of our young people! 📢

A light breakfast and lunch will be served. 🍎

Register here or use the QR code above: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cpli-youth-justice-leadership-program-teen-youth-justice-summit-tickets-961627753497

We are still energized from the amazing speakers, discussions and engagement from this weekend’s PSDI Educators Conference hosted by Marian University. 📚

Our morning was filled with key takeaways that gave us great ways to connect with students and learn more about who they are to create an environment that is loving and inspiring. ⭐️

Thank you to our speakers and thank you to Indianapolis African American Quality of Life Initiative for your generous support helping make this conference possible. 📚

Interested in learning more about this and other Positive School Discipline Institute (PSDI) Trainings? Email Sandy at [email protected]. ⭐️

There’s still time to grab your team and join CPLI for an evening of fun, buffet dinner, 2 drinks, TOPGOLF games, silent auction, and fundraising to advance youth justice! ⛳️

TOPGOLF, 9200 E 116 St, Fishers, IN, 46037! 🏌🏽‍♀️🏌🏼‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

Doors open at 5:30pm, and buffet dinner begins at 6:00 pm. The silent auction will end at 8:30 pm to announce the winners. ⛳️

Auction items include celebrity items, event tickets, restaurant vouchers, gift baskets, plus much more!

All tickets include gameplay, dinner at the buffet, and two beer/wine tickets. Non-alcoholic drinks are included in the buffet.

You don’t want to miss this very special event featuring National Speaker James Moffett, Kansas City based principal and founder of JM Educational Consulting!

Join us September 7th at Marian University for our upcoming Educators Conference.

Topics include:
⭐️Trauma Informed Schools: Building Relationships with Students
⭐️Relationship-Based Classroom Management Strategies
⭐️Culturally-Responsive/Trauma-Responsive Practices in the Classroom
⭐️The Importance of Using Data

Register on eventbrite TODAY❕Link in bio.

CPLI works with educators and youth providers to share culturally-responsive, trauma informed strategies.

It’s that time of year! ⛳️

Join us for our annual fundraiser out at Topgolf (Fishers). Grab your friends and help us celebrate the amazing legacy of our founder and help us welcome in our new Executive Director. 🏆

Sponsor a bay or pick up one of our many sponsorship levels. Have a little fun and play with a local celebrity. Can’t wait to see you out on the green! 🏌️‍♀️🏌🏽‍♀️🏌️‍♂️

Today’s the day! ⭐️

We’re looking forward to seeing you and sharing our amazing group of panelists and their insights with the community today. 📚

We kickoff at 11:30am with lunch. Out of town or just can’t make it? Visit our website for the livestream. 🔗

We’re just 2 days away from our Community and Families Event!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

We’re engaging families and community members in two key focus areas: culturally-responsive, trauma-informed discipline practices & absenteeism.

Register to attend today! Link in bio.

📣📣11 days until our PSDI Community Event on July 27, 2024! 📣📣

This FREE event is open to community members and organizations interested in learning about how to help curb school absenteeism and create culturally-responsive, trauma-informed learning environments for our students. Register at the link in our bio.

Join us in July for the Peer Conflict Resolution Conference! Youth ages 13-18 will spend the afternoon learning skills to resolve conflict in their home, school, and community peacefully. To participate, youth must register using the QR Code or this link here: https://forms.gle/nw79Rc7g6wcP1vFZ7. A Parental Release is also required, which can be found here: https://forms.gle/QNPQRfcmgSrNzr1q8. Help advance youth justice by making the change in your community!

Thank you to the educators, principals, and student support personnel who worked to complete the PSDI Master Trainer Program Training! These wonderful teams have been creating plans and taking action to build a more positive climate for their students.

Join us in shaping a brighter future! Our Advocacy, Commitment, and Toolkit (ACT) Workshop empowers youth with leadership and advocacy skills to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline and bring lasting change in their neighborhoods and communities. Registration is now open here: https://forms.gle/Cy8djoMy82aQ2u1W8

In the upcoming legislative session, CPLI will be working on initiatives to increase youth access to family while in detention. Please consider making a gift today to support CPLI's work in 2024.

Theresa Baker has served as a CPLI Board member for over six years. She is a former elementary school principal and has held various positions, including teacher, magnet coordinator, and curriculum facilitator in IPS. Over the years, she has recognized the ongoing need to effectively address the needs of youth and navigate new challenges.

She continues to support CPLI, not just for the empathy shown by board members, but for the continued efforts to combat legislative initiatives and laws that are detrimental to youth development. As Ms. Baker stated, "CPLI doesn't do this alone; it is as a community that we become better role models and advocate for our youth." To become a part of the community that Ms. Baker is talking about, donate today and help CPLI further its mission into the New Year!

Dr. Gwen Kelley has been associated with CPLI since its early years, initially as a community leader and now as a member of the board. Her passion lies in preparing our youth for success and ensuring educators and the community have the capacity to understand how to meet youth needs. Please join her in this fight and make a gift today!

Christy Gauss, Chair of the CPLI Board of Directors, has been a dedicated supporter since the organization's inception! Hear why she is involved and consider making an end of the year gift to support CPLI's critical work in 2024.

Damica Marshall is a senior at Butler University studying Psychology and Criminal Justice. She has been interning with CPLI for two semesters and is now joining the CPLI staff next semester! Hear more about her story, why she chose CPLI to intern, and the impact the organization has had empowering her to advocate for change. Please join Damica in the fight for youth justice by making a gift today!

CPLI is deeply grateful for your unwavering support in our shared mission to reform laws, policies, and practices to be developmentally- appropriate, equitable, and fair, providing essential support for youth to successfully transition to adulthood.

As we approach the New Year, we invite you to consider donating to further our cause in 2024. You can make your donation on our website by scanning the QR Code or following the link. Your generosity makes a lasting impact for all children! 🌟

CPLI extends warm wishes to our families, friends, and colleagues. In the upcoming days, we will be sharing personal testimonies of some of our key leaders on why they contribute to this important work. During this gift-giving season, please consider making a generous gift to our Annual Fund. We look forward to working with you on behalf of children in 2024!

Use the link below to donate!
https://www.cpliofindiana.org/