Over the past several decades, the proportion of girls and young women arrested in the United States has increased, with Black girls being disproportionately represented in many steps throughout the juvenile legal process. System-impacted girls often face numerous barriers including poverty, racism, sexism, and histories of dating violence, sexual assault, and exploitation. They often endure additional challenges when they reenter the community, particularly as it relates to their education. This webinar will highlight the innovative work of the EMERGE Academy, an educational reentry pilot program for young women residing in Alameda County, who have had prior contact with the criminal or juvenile legal system. Falilah Bilal, senior trainer of the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, will share lessons learned from this pilot and offer intervention strategies for the field on responding more effectively to girls and young women reentering society.
