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Ending The "School-To-Prison Pipeline"

Last updated on Thursday, February 8, 2018

(BLOOMINGTON) - When trouble at school leads to trouble in the criminal justice system, many youth may become incarcerated, creating a disturbing national trend called the “school-to-prison pipeline.”

With black students three times more likely to be suspended or expelled than white students according to the Education Department for Civil Rights, this pipeline disproportionately affects children of color and can reinforce the cycle of poverty.

The Indiana Youth Institute and the Youth Services Bureau of Monroe County are teaming up to provide a panel discussion on the topic of school-to-prison pipelines, giving educators, youth workers, community leaders, parents and other influential adults insight into the effects of this cycle and how we may change it.

The event will run from 12 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21 at The Warehouse, 1525 South Rodgers in Bloomington.

Speakers include Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer, Monroe County School Board member, and Caleb Poer, a senior at Bloomington High School North, liaison to the Commission on the Status of Black Males and intern with the Black Democratic Caucus. Fuentes-Rohwer and Poer will discuss the effects of a prison-centric country has on youth, the importance of diversity among teachers within this context, and how we can work to change the cycle of the school-to-prison pipeline.

As part of IYI's Youth Worker Café program, the forum and lunch are free, but reservations are required. RSVP at www.iyi.org/calendar. If you have trouble with the link, please contact IYI Statewide Outreach Manager Debbie Jones via email at djones@iyi.org. For more information about the café, contact IYI's Central Indiana Outreach Manager Yalonda Brown at ybrown@iyi.org. Attendees may bring business cards and program information to share, and may arrive 15 minutes early or stay 15 minutes for networking.

Youth Worker Cafés are designed to bring together local youth workers to build relationships and inspire collaborations that will benefit children.

The Indiana Youth Institute promotes the healthy development of Indiana children and youth by serving the people, institutions and communities that impact their well-being.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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