Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice

The new Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice was created by Governor Whitmer's Executive Order No. 2022-7 which abolished the Committee restructured by Executive Order No. 2017-12 and recreates the committee in alignment with the requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Under the executive order, the committee is tasked with the development and review of the state’s juvenile justice plan. Following the release of recommendations from governor’s Juvenile Justice Reform Task Force, the new Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice will include a tribal representative and increases representation of community-based services and supports for young people. The committee consists of 21 to 33 members. After the initial appointments, members will serve for 4-year terms. 

Statute

Contact Information

Maricela G. Alcala, Kalamazoo
Represents individuals with expertise and competence in addressing problems related to school violence and vandalism, including alternatives to suspension and expulsion
Term expires 8/2/23

Nancy Becker Bennett, Okemos
Represents public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment
Term expires 8/2/23

Cecilia J. Chesney, Traverse City
Represents programs that provide alternatives to incarceration, including programs providing organized recreation activities
Term expires 8/2/23

Natalya A. Henderson, Detroit
Represents members under the age of 28 at the time of initial appointment
Term expires 8/2/23

Jamie J. Wisniewski, Adrian
Represents prosecutors
Term expires 8/2/23

Kaj W. Althaus, Saline
Represents members under the age of 28 at the time of initial appointment
Term expires 8/2/24
 
Rayonte Bell, Benton Harbor
Represents a locally elected official representing general purpose local government and members under 28 at the time of initial appointment
Term expires 8/2/24

Sandra M. Lindsey, Lathrup Village
Represents licensed individuals with experience in preventing and addressing mental health and substance abuse needs in delinquent youth and youth at risk of delinquency
Term expires 8/2/24

MaryAnn Sarosi, Ann Arbor
Represents volunteers who work with delinquent youth or youth at risk of delinquency
Term expires 8/2/24

Deandrea White, Detroit
Represents members under the age of 28 at the time of initial appointment
Term expires 8/2/24

Laura Benjamins, M.D., Grosse Pointe Farms
Represents licensed individuals with experience in preventing and addressing mental health and substance abuse needs in delinquent youth and youth at risk of delinquency
Term expires 8/2/25

John J. Casteel, Plymouth
Represents members must have lived experience with the juvenile justice system, either as juveniles under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system, or as parents or guardians of someone under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system and members under 28 at the initial time of appointment
Term expires 8/2/25

Manda Mitteer-Maki, Fruitport
Represents attorneys who represent children and youth
Term expires 8/2/25

Brian Philson, Onondaga
Represents private nonprofit organizations
Term expires 8/2/25

Ali Sayed, Dearborn Heights
Represents programs that provide alternatives to incarceration, including programs providing organized recreation activities
Term expires 8/2/25

Angela Aufdemberge, Grosse Pointe Shores
Represents victim or witness advocacy groups with expertise in addressing the challenges of sexual abuse and exploitation and trauma, particularly the needs of youth who experience of sexual abuse, exploitation, and trauma before entering the juvenile justice system
Term expires 8/2/26

Jose M. Burgos, Ecorse
Represents members must have lived experience with the juvenile justice system, either as juveniles under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system, or as parents or guardians
Term expires 8/2/26

Cameron Clark, Honor
Represents public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment
Term expired 8/2/26

Bob Higgins, Portage - Chair
Represents individuals with expertise and competence in addressing problems related to school violence and vandalism, including alternatives to suspension and expulsion
Term expires 8/2/26

Claudnyse D. Holloman, Waterford
Represents private nonprofit organizations
Term expires 8/2/26

Allie Greenleaf Maldonado, Petoskey
Represents individuals with expertise in tribal law enforcement and juvenile justice in tribal communities
Term expires 8/2/26

Marcela L. Moralez-Morris, Caledonia
Represents probation professionals
Ter expires 8/2/26

Sarah Prout Rennie, Berkley
Represents victim or witness advocacy groups
Term expires 8/2/26

Namita Sharma, Kalamazoo
Represents juvenile or family court judges
Term expires 8/2/26

Richard L. Smart, III, Southfield
Represents volunteers who work with delinquent youth or youth at risk of delinquency
Term expires 8/2/26

Jason A. Smith, Ann Arbor
Represents private nonprofit organizations
Term expires 8/2/26

Cole Williams, Grand Rapids
Represents members must have lived experience with the juvenile justice system, either as juveniles under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system, or as parents or guardians of someone under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system
Term expires 8/2/26