The 2026 Mid-Winter Conference is an annual event organized by the Juvenile Justice Association of Michigan (JJAM), dedicated to advancing the field of juvenile justice through education, collaboration, and professional development. This year's conference will take place on March 26–27, 2026, at the DoubleTree by Hilton – Bay City Riverfront in Bay City, Michigan.
The conference will feature a keynote presentation by Jeff Wallace, MCJ, titled "Thriving After Resiliency," which focuses on sustaining positive change beyond trauma-informed approaches. Additionally, Dr. Thomas Holt from Michigan State University will present on "What Juvenile Justice Professionals Need to Know About Cybercrime and Online Juvenile Delinquency Matters," addressing the intersection of juvenile justice and cybercrime.
Attendees will have opportunities to engage in networking sessions, participate in award presentations, and hear from notable speakers such as Dr. Julie M. Krupa, Dr. Karen Holt, and Judge Amanda G. Pollard. These sessions are designed to provide practical strategies and insights applicable to professionals in the juvenile justice system.
This conference is ideal for juvenile justice professionals, including social workers, legal practitioners, and policymakers, seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in addressing contemporary challenges in the field. Participants will gain valuable insights into effective interventions and the latest research, contributing to improved outcomes for youth involved in the justice system.
Categories
Speakers(7)
Chris Anderson
Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at Eaton County
Chris Anderson is the Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Eaton County, with over 15 years of prosecuting experience. He is a member of the State Bar of Michigan Committee on Professionalism and Civility and Criminal Jurisprudence and Practice Committee, and serves on the Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan’s Cold Case Forum team and Education and Training Committee.
Dr. Julie M. Krupa
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies at Michigan State University
Dr. Julie M. Krupa is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University and a core member of the Youth Equity Project. Her research focuses on health and social disparities among justice-involved youth and young adults, applying a community-engaged, action research approach to examine local issues of violence and disparities in the juvenile justice system.
Dr. Karen Holt
Associate Professor at Michigan State University
Dr. Karen Holt is an Associate Professor and criminologist in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on sexual deviance, sexual offending, and sexually motivated violence, and she has presented her research at both national and international criminology conferences.
Dr. Thomas J. Holt
Professor at Michigan State University
Dr. Thomas J. Holt is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University and the Director of the Center for Cybercrime Investigation and Training. His research focuses on various forms of cybercrime and policy responses, and he co-hosts the 'Crossing the Firewall' podcast to enhance public awareness on cybercrime and cybersecurity issues.
Jeff Wallace
Founder at Jeff Wallace Speaks LLC
Jeff Wallace, MCJ, combines lived experience and professional expertise in juvenile justice. After entering the system as a youth and spending six years incarcerated, he earned a Master of Criminal Justice and has worked as a social worker, crisis interventionist, assistant professor of criminal justice, and youth-facility inspector. He is the founder of Jeff Wallace Speaks LLC and is regularly invited to speak to multidisciplinary audiences across juvenile justice, child welfare, corrections, and community services.
Judge Amanda G. Pollard
Probate Court Judge
Judge Amanda G. Pollard serves as the Probate Court judge, hearing cases including guardianships, conservatorships, trusts and estates, and mental commitments. She also presides over child protective proceedings, juvenile delinquency matters, and the Juvenile Drug Treatment Court.
Michael C. Van Huysse, Esq.
Attorney
Michael 'Mike' Van Huysse is an attorney focusing on areas of practice within the family courts, including child protection, juvenile delinquency, waiver and designation proceedings, as well as child custody-related matters. He also serves as the lawyer-guardian ad litem for children involved in child protection proceedings in Ingham County Circuit Court.
Event Details
- Date
- March 26-27, 2026
- 2 days
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Bay City, United States
- DoubleTree by Hilton – Bay City Riverfront
- Pricing
- Varies by tier
- Audience
- Juvenile justice professionals, including social workers, legal practitioners, and policymakers.