Learning Collaborative: Justice Diversion

Meet the Presenters

Dani Soto has more than a decade of experience in research and analysis of adolescent well-being and risk, with a focus on gendered and racial/ethnic inequalities. She graduated Cum Laude with her B.A. in sociology (juvenile delinquency emphasis) from the University of Montana, where she was a McNair Scholar. She received her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University in sociology/criminology. There she specialized in juvenile delinquency and minored in family studies and quantitative methods. Her master’s thesis looked at sexual minority youth and delinquent offending, paying special attention to the impact of sexual identity. Her dissertation examined Latino delinquency, looking at the differences in country-of-origin and generational status. After graduate school, Dani spent four years as an assistant professor, where she served as an advisor/mentor for many campus and community groups serving underrepresented students. Wanting to use her professional skills in research and analysis in an applied way, she made the transition to the non-profit arena. Recognizing that true justice requires attention paid to the intersections of race/ethnicity, sexuality and sexual identity, sex and gender expression, gender identity, and socioeconomic status, she frequently examines disparities in these areas.

Andé Peña, MSW and Doctoral Candidate, is the TA Specialist within the CARE TA Center. Her commitment towards improving social justice outcomes for historically marginalized community members has led to over 15 years of experience in design, development, and implementation of programs that strengthen family systems, community health, education opportunities, and economic stability. Andé entered the social service field through a youth diversion program that equipped her with leadership skills and opportunities to travel throughout the US training on effective positive youth development (PYD) approaches. She has launched and sustained various programs for youth impacted by incarceration, foster care, teen parenting, and human trafficking. She oversaw a HUD Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) that focused on reducing barriers to education and employment for community members in the California Bay Area. As the Director of Diversion and Re-Entry Services at La Familia, she, and a team of Peer Support Specialists designed and implemented reentry programs funded through social impact bonds, AB 109 Realignment funds, and Proposition 47 Behavioral Health Care Housing and Mental Health funds. The department served adults impacted by incarceration, homelessness, and assigned a diagnosis of substance use disorder and/or serious mental illness. Before joining the CARE TA Center, Andé served as the Treatment Court Manager within the Office of Collaborative Court Services for the Superior Court of California in Alameda County. She worked with court leadership and dedicated Treatment Specialists to divert community members from the traditional criminal and family court systems into a collaborative court system that connected participants to mental health and substance use treatment. Andé is currently completing her doctoral work, exploring the community cultural wealth of people impacted by incarceration and remains dedicated to investing her energy in work that address systemic inequities.