Board confirms slate of nominees to Essex County Youth Services Commission

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners approved a slate of nominations to the Essex County Youth Services Commission and several advisory-board reappointments.

Director Jason Martinez introduced the Youth Services Commission nominees and outlined the commission's purpose: planning and funding community-based programs to prevent juvenile delinquency and support healthy youth development. "The Youth Service Commission ensures that resources are used effectively to support transformative and long-term outcomes for our youth," Martinez said.

Nominees who spoke briefly about their backgrounds included David K. Armstrong (juvenile-justice specialist and parent-advocacy network representative), Kenneth M. Douglas (former Newark firefighter and current Trenton fire director), Laurie A. Scott Pickens (director of outreach for a school of criminal justice), Bernard Wilkes (minister and youth program volunteer), Jasmine Joseph Foreman (chief program officer, Newark Opportunity Youth Network), Laquanda Williams (chair of a planning committee for youth programs), Erica Cashaw (Director of Alternative Education, Newark Public Schools) and others. Several nominees noted their experience with juvenile justice, youth development and community programs.

Commissioner Richardson moved to approve nominations 1 through 34 (with items 5, 15, 19 and 20 withdrawn by the administration); Vice President Cooper seconded. The board approved the slate on a roll-call vote with absent commissioners noted. Commissioners thanked nominees for volunteering and voiced support for the commission's work.

The approval authorizes appointments and reappointments under the advice-and-consent portion of the agenda; staff noted that specific terms and administrative onboarding will proceed through the county offices responsible for advisory boards.