Children’s Committee
February 4, 2021
Presented By: Melissa Keilty, BSW, MSW Candidate
Dear Honorable Chairpersons Linehan and Anwar, Ranking Members Martin and Dauphinais, Vice Chairs Welander and Bradley, and all other Members of the Committee of Children of the Connecticut General Assembly:
My name is Melissa Keilty, a resident of Bethlehem and a current Master’s of Social Work student at UConn. I am a member of the Education and Legislative Action Network at the National Association of Social Workers Connecticut Chapter. I am testifying on behalf of the National Association of Social Workers, CT chapter which represents over 2,300 members. We call upon the Children’s Committee to support HB-6112: An Act Requiring a Survey of Court-Involved Youths.
NASW-CT supports investment in programs, practices, and policies which seek to enhance equitable service provisions for LGBTQ+ youths. Such services affirm holistic, gender-responsive care, and promote collaborative relationships with affected populations.
The national NASW 2021 Social Policy Priorities[1] cite the need for uniform data collection standards which incorporate sexual orientation and gender identity into survey practices. Addressing the quality of LGBTQ+ youth services in justice settings ensures that the dignity of affected persons is a priority of the state of Connecticut. The American Academy of Pediatrics[2] recommends the integration of trauma-informed care to systemically legitimize the complex and intersectional circumstances present in juvenile court settings.
Ensuring equitable service provision requires that established processes can be subject to a transparent evaluation. There is a great need for protecting the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youths in our justice system.
In closing, NASW-CT urges the committee to vote in favor of HB-6112: An Act Requiring a Survey of Court-Involved Youths.
[1] National Association of Social Workers. (2021). 2021 Blueprint of Federal Social Policy Priorities. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=KPdZqqY60t4%3D&portalid=0
[1] Owen, M.C., Wallace, S.B., and the Committee on Adolescence. (2020, July). Advocacy and Collaborative Health Care for Justice-Involved Youth. Pediatrics, 146(1). Retrieved from https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/1/e20201755.
[1] National Association of Social Workers. (2021). 2021 Blueprint of Federal Social Policy Priorities. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=KPdZqqY60t4%3D&portalid=0
[2] Owen, M.C., Wallace, S.B., and the Committee on Adolescence. (2020, July). Advocacy and Collaborative Health Care for Justice-Involved Youth. Pediatrics, 146(1). Retrieved from https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/146/1/e20201755.
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