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Jeff Shook and Sara Goodkind, professors in the Â鶹´«Ã½ Â鶹´«Ã½ of Social Work, will study the implementation and impact of an Allegheny County initiative that aims to reduce referral disparities in the juvenile legal system.

The research, a collaboration with Gwen’s Girls and the Black Girls Equity Alliance, will evaluate the implementation and initial impact of Caring Connections for Youth, a community-led, 24-hour centralized call center that provides triage and deescalation guidance and connects young people and their families with community resources and support. It is funded by a $866,309 .

Both Goodkind and Shook study youth experiences, particularly in the juvenile justice system. Goodkind is co-convener of the Juvenile Justice Workgroup of the Black Girls Equity Alliance, which is focused on eradicating inequities affecting Black girls in Allegheny County. Shook is involved in efforts to end the sentencing of juveniles to life sentences without the opportunity for parole both in Pennsylvania and nationally.