Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent J. Cohen delivered remarks at the Department of Health and Human Services and Office of Justice Programs Justice-Involved Youth Webinar on August 28, 2024. He expressed gratitude to Dan Tsai and Jesse Cross-Call for organizing the event and acknowledged the participation of individuals from various sectors aimed at improving health outcomes for justice-involved youth.
Cohen extended thanks to Alissa Deboy, Melissa Harris, and the Medicaid Benefits and Health Programs Group, as well as the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) for their collaboration with the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). He also recognized Liz Ryan, Administrator of OJP’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, describing her as a "steadfast champion" for young people.
He highlighted contributions from colleagues at the Bureau of Justice Assistance and Mariel Lifshitz from his office. Lifshitz has been instrumental in exploring ways to support continuity of care for individuals returning to their communities.
Cohen emphasized his career-long commitment to supporting youth in contact with the justice system, citing his work at the New York City Department of Correction focused on young people aged 16 to 24 leaving Rikers Island. He mentioned launching the New York City Justice Corps in partnership with John Jay College's Prisoner Reentry Institute and community-based organizations. The initiative aimed to connect young people returning from jail with services, resources, and opportunities within their communities.
Cohen underscored that nearly 25,000 youth were in juvenile justice residential placement in 2021, along with tens of thousands under age 25 in adult prisons and jails. He noted high rates of substance use among these youths, often linked to untreated trauma and adverse childhood experiences. He stressed the importance of providing access to screening, assessments, coverage, and services before release and upon reentry into communities.
He praised Liz Ryan's team for substantial investments in programs connecting justice-involved youth to care continuums ranging from early intervention to reentry services. Cohen also highlighted efforts working with adults through CMCS on Section 1115 reentry demonstration programs.
Recognizing challenges faced by states under new legal requirements defining “youth” up to age 21 or age 26 under former foster care eligibility groups, Cohen assured support from HHS colleagues. He urged participants to consider beyond mandated requirements towards achieving comprehensive goals beneficial for both young people and communities.
Concluding his remarks by commending attendees' efforts towards this cause, Cohen introduced Melissa Harris, Deputy Director of Medicaid Benefits and Health Programs Group at CMCS.
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