State of Pennsylvania

03/22/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/22/2023 18:36

PCCD Hosted 450 Justice and Behavioral Health Professionals for the 2023 Criminal Justice Advisory Board Conference03/22/2023

​State College, PA - More than 450 participants gathered in State College on March 20-21, 2023, as part of the annual Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) Conference.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has hosted the CJAB Conference for more than a decade, bringing together justice practitioners, behavioral health professionals, and other stakeholders to learn about issues affecting communities across the Commonwealth.

"When I think about an event that embodies the spirit and purpose of PCCD's mission, I can't think of a better example than the CJAB Conference," said PCCD Executive Director Mike Pennington. "Over the course of a day and a half, we heard from nationally recognized experts and local communities that have risen to meet some extraordinary challenges and offered though-provoking insights on some of the most pressing issues facing our systems today."

This year's conference was the biggest yet and focused on the theme of "Strengthening Collaboration and Partnerships." The conference is hosted by PCCD's Criminal Justice Advisory Committee and Mental Health and Justice Advisory Committee in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP).

Presentations and plenary sessions covered topics ranging from supporting people with substance use disorders, addressing gun violence, using data and technology to improve investigations and public safety, and helping folks return to the community after incarceration.

During the conference, PCCD Executive Director Pennington also presented two awards recognizing the accomplishments of colleagues in the field.

The 2023 Judge Linda K.M. Ludgate CJAB Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to April Billet, Chief Probation Officer of York County in recognition of her efforts to advance collaborative, innovative initiatives through the county's CJAB.

The 2023 Judge John Zottola Mental Health and Justice Award was presented to William F. Ward, who served as Chairman of PCCD's Mental Health and Justice Advisory Committee between 2019 and 2023.

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