Amanda Simmons to present at the Prestigious National Conference of Juvenile and Family Court Judges with The Honorable Ernestine Gray

Attorney Amanda Simmons was selected as a speaker at the 2024 National Conference on Juvenile Justice, an annual conference presented by the National Coalition of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.  Amanda’s presentation, entitled, “Congregate Care, Collective Trauma” included other prominent figures in the conversation about the troubled teen industry including Judge Ernestine Gray, Caroline Cole, and Chelsea Maldonado.  

About the Other Speakers

The Honorable Ernestine S. Gray, Ret., served as a judge on the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court since 1984, known for her innovative and compassionate approach to juvenile justice. She has received numerous awards for her work, emphasizing rehabilitation and support for at-risk youth.

Caroline Cole is a multi-hyphenate survivor and an advocate for human rights and mental health. She is co-host of the documentary style podcast called Trapped in Treatment from Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media and iHeartRadio. She has played a large role in the “Stop Instiutuional Child Abuse Act.” 

Chelsea is an innovative and expert researcher and writer. In company with Paris Hilton and 11:11 Impact, she is working to pass the Federal Stop Instiutional Child Abuse Act. Along with this she is an advocate for the “troubled teen industry” and youth rights, speaking at a variety of conferences. In addition Chelsea fact checks and researches for the Trapped in Treatment podcast. 

About the Conference

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of the juvenile and family justice system. Each year, they host the National Conference on Juvenile Justice (NCJJ), bringing together professionals from across the country to discuss best practices, new research, and innovations in juvenile justice. The conference provides a platform for judges, lawyers, social workers, and other stakeholders to collaborate and enhance their knowledge and skills in handling juvenile justice cases.

About the Troubled Teen Industry

The “troubled teen industry” is a term loosely applied  to privately owned youth residential treatment centers located throughout the United States and abroad.  This term may refer to group homes, therapeutic  boarding schools, short term residential treatment centers and many other confusing terms.  The facilities are inconsistently regulated, and may simultaneously house children placed by juvenile justice, child welfare, school districts, Medicaid and private insurance.  

Basic Facts and Information

Authorities have known of the abuses for decades, with the Senate conducting investigations into youth treatment facilities as far back as 1974. Additional investigations from the Government Accountability Office followed in 2007, 2008, and 2022.  Despite this awareness, little has been done to eliminate documented abuses including death, sexual assault, and human rights violations.  

Pipelines into Congregate Care: 

Accurately quantifying the problem is difficult.  It is difficult to quantify the problem, though research indicates that between 120-200,000 children are impacted each year and over $23 billion  in public money is used to fund placements in teen treatment centers, with fees as high as $800 per day.  There is little consistent oversight between states and youth are often sent to out-of-state facilities. 

Links and additional Information: 

• Presentation Material: Congregate Care, Collective Trauma

• 2024 Conference Program Brochure