NEW YORK–The Vera Institute of Justice has named Annie Salsich director of its Center on Youth Justice (CYJ), effective March 5, 2009. Salsich has been associate director of CYJ—a multi-service arm of the Institute that develops and supports evidence-based reform for systems affecting youth, families, and their communities—since 2006.

Salsich first joined the Institute in 2003 as a project analyst for its direct service project Affirm, which worked with school-based law enforcement staff to reduce school violence. Later, as a program associate, she assisted jurisdictions across New York State in designing and implementing reforms in juvenile justice systems. She is co-author of Widening the Lens: A Panoramic View of Juvenile Justice in New York State and its sequel, Widening the Lens 2008, among other reports.

“The Center on Youth Justice has a rich history of providing government and civic partners with rigorous research and strategic planning that has changed how they view systemic reform,” said Salsich. “We will continue to provide data-driven support aimed at improving outcomes for youth and families and build on our strong relationships with decision makers.” Salsich is particularly committed to extending CYJ’s work in expanding the use of community-based interventions for at-risk youth.

CYJ has worked with government partners in New York and other states since 2004 to make juvenile justice systems more equitable, unbiased, and cost effective. Current CYJ projects include support for Governor Paterson’s Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice in New York State and assisting New York City in developing and implementing—for the first time—an empirically based risk assessment tool to help family court judges make pretrial detention decisions.

“As associate director, Annie has managed Vera’s juvenile justice reform efforts in New York and important national projects with great insight,” said Michael Jacobson, Vera’s director. “I fully expect that she will bring the same measure of energy, ability, and dedication to her new role. I look forward to the innovative ways in which CYJ will continue its impressive record of achievement.”

Salsich, a graduate of Vassar College and Hunter College School of Social Work, succeeds CYJ’s founding director, Sara Mogulescu. Mogulescu is leaving Vera after more than seven years to become a senior consultant at Bennett Midland LLC, a management consulting firm that works with public agencies and nonprofit organizations on operational and management issues.