Snyder makes reappointments to Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the reappointments of Kathleen Bailey of Plainwell, Nancy Becker Bennett of Okemos, Cameron Clark of Beulah, Shenette Coleman of Redford Township, Bob Higgins of Portage, Sandra Lindsey of Lathrup Village and Joseph Ryan of Ann Arbor to the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice.

Created by Executive Order 2012-1, the committee advises the governor on juvenile justice issues and guides effective implementation of juvenile justice policies and programs. Executive Order 2017-12 restructured the committee to be composed of between 15 and 33 members to comply with the federal Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act.
“I thank these individuals for continuing to maintain and improve Michigan’s juvenile justice system,” Snyder said.

Bailey is a professor for the School of Criminal Justice at Grand Valley State University, where she previously served as director. She also is a consultant for the Adolescent Sex Offenders Treatment Program Evaluation of Kent County 17th Circuit Court and a member of the state of Michigan Juvenile Justice Vision 20/20 Executive Committee. Bailey holds a bachelor’s degree in education and art from Central Michigan University. She also has a master’s degree in clinical mental health and a doctorate in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University. She will continue to represent youth workers involved with programs that are alternatives to incarceration, including programs providing organized recreation activities.

Bennett is the division director for grants and community services for the Michigan State Police. She previously served as manager of the law enforcement section of the (Michigan?) Office of Drug Control Policy. Bennett holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in justice and law enforcement from American University. She will continue to represent law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies.

Clark is the director of youth services for the 19th Circuit Court in Manistee. He previously served as an independent K-12 educational consultant and as a quality schools facilitator for the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. Clark holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Michigan and will continue to represent law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies.

Coleman is the director of juvenile and youth services for Wayne County – Health, Veterans, and Community Wellness. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in sociology from Eastern Michigan University and a doctorate in human services from Capella University. She will continue to represent public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment.

Higgins previously served as the safe school’s consultant for the Michigan Department of Education and served in numerous administrative and consultative roles within schools and school districts. Higgins holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Michigan University. He will continue to represent people with special experience and competence in addressing problems related to school violence and vandalism and alternatives to suspension and expulsion.

Lindsey is the chief executive officer of the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority and previously served as executive director of the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan. She will continue to represent people with special experience and competence in addressing problems related to learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, child abuse and neglect and youth violence.

Ryan is a professor for the School of Social Work, a faculty associate for the Center for Political Studies, and the co-director of the Child and Adolescent Data Lab at the University of Michigan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst, a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, and a doctorate in social work from the University of Chicago. He will continue to represent public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment.

Members will serve three-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2021.