Criminal Justice Doctoral Student Leads Research at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center

Vanessa Patino Lydia, doctoral candidate at NSU’s Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice, is the Vice President of Research and Planning at the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center in Jacksonville. She is the Principal Investigator on the latest research that was conducted by the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center which establishes baseline indicators for the status of girls’ disparate well-being indicators, educational and juvenile justice outcomes in Florida.

The data shows that the safety of many girls is compromised and that there are alarming rates of violence and victimization experienced by girls in their communities, schools, and homes. The rates of hopelessness, suicide ideation, and substance use among girls compel our communities and state to take action. By intentionally looking at gender, racial, sexual orientation and geographical differences, the research calls on policymakers, educators, providers, and parents to assess and reframe our responses to better meet the needs of girls.

Vanessa has over 15 years’ experience in public policy research with a special focus on the impact of the juvenile justice system on girls’ trajectories and wellbeing. She has directed research initiatives on gender specific programming, girls/women pathways into the justice system, data trends, community needs assessments, and strategic planning.

These reports issued by the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center inform advocacy, research, training/technical assistance and direct services to bring about unprecedented systemic reform for girls and young women in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

To access the link to the full research report please visit  https://www.seethegirl.org/