Press Release  The Healey-Driscoll Administration Hosts 3rd Annual Emerging Adult Summit

NORWOOD — The Healey-Driscoll Administration welcomed more than 280 government, public safety, and community leaders for the 3rd Annual Massachusetts Emerging Adult Summit on October 16-17, 2024. This two-day event focused on improving outcomes for justice-involved young adults through enhanced partnerships and innovative programs.

The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), in collaboration with the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC), Roca, UTEC, and ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School, hosted the summit, which featured key insights from national experts and individuals with lived experience.

“Our administration is dedicated to ensuring that emerging adults in Massachusetts have the resources, support, and opportunities they need to succeed. This summit underscores our commitment to breaking down barriers and strengthening partnerships that make a real difference in the lives of young people involved in our criminal justice system,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By working together, we are creating a pathway to brighter futures for our next generation.”

“Emerging adults face unique challenges, and our role as leaders is to equip them with the tools to thrive, not just survive. The discussions and collaborations at this summit reflect our determination to build a more equitable and supportive justice system,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Together, we can create lasting change that helps these young adults lead fulfilling and productive lives.”

Attendees, including community-based providers, law enforcement, and academic institutions, participated in panels and workshops on topics such as housing stability, workforce development, and gender-specific services for women. The event featured presentations and discussions with key leaders from state agencies, justice system professionals, and the philanthropic community, including Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin R. Hayden, and New England Patriots Foundation President Josh Kraft.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration remains deeply committed to fostering partnerships with our stakeholders to create successful pathways for emerging adults,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “This year's summit highlighted innovative, new programs that are shaping the future for justice-involved young people in Massachusetts and providing them with the tools, opportunities, and hope they need to move toward a brighter future.”

“The 3rd Annual Emerging Adult Summit offers an invaluable opportunity to deepen our understanding of how to support young adults involved with the justice system. This year’s discussions, ranging from housing stability and workforce development to the important gender-specific programs for women, highlight our shared commitment to improving outcomes and creating sustainable pathways to success,” said Undersecretary of Criminal Justice Andrew Peck.

Key Summit Highlights:

• Best practices for supporting justice-involved emerging adults, including the Massachusetts Department of Correction’s new PEACE Unit for women.
• Policy updates on the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) and cross-secretariat collaborations on workforce development.
• Leadership insights from Massachusetts’ first-ever Emerging Adult Leadership Academy and the new program’s first cohort members.
• Reentry, workforce development, and housing initiatives focused on successful reintegration.

“It is a privilege to collaborate once again with our partners on the Summit as we explore innovative solutions for emerging adults in Massachusetts,” said ForHealth Consulting at UMass Chan Medical School Executive Vice Chancellor Lisa M. Colombo. “To ensure healthcare is effective, equitable, and accessible, we must also address social factors such as education, housing, and employment to achieve meaningful outcomes.”

“This forum continues to foster a better understanding of how law enforcement can support emerging adults, particularly through learning about new reentry initiatives and enhancing partnerships with providers like Roca and UTEC," said Haverhill Police Chief Robert Pistone. "The sessions at this year's summit, such as those on law enforcement outreach and reentry housing, provide crucial insights into reducing criminal justice involvement while enhancing public safety across Massachusetts."
 

“The Emerging Adult Summit highlights the critical importance of partnerships in addressing the unique needs of justice-involved young adults. By working together with law enforcement, community organizations, and service providers, we can create pathways to real change and provide these young people with the opportunities they deserve,” said Gregg Croteau, CEO of UTEC, Inc. “These collaborations are essential in helping emerging adults build brighter futures, reducing recidivism, and strengthening our communities.”

EOPSS and its partners remain dedicated to implementing evidence-based approaches that reduce justice involvement while supporting emerging adults' successful reintegration across Massachusetts.

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