Every year thousands of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable children and families appear before the Massachusetts Juvenile Courts. Over 70% of our clients face vulnerabilities such as mental health problems, behavioral problems, medical issues, substance abuse, histories of abuse and neglect, learning disabilities, and cultural issues, most typically a combination of these.
Learn more about vulnerabilities
What exactly is the role of the Juvenile Court Clinics? The Juvenile Court Clinics provide evaluation and intervention services to court-involved children and families struggling with behavioral health issues. These are among the most clinically and systemically complicated cases before the Juvenile Court. Specially trained Juvenile Court clinicians provide emergency evaluations of children in crisis and comprehensive clinical and forensic evaluations designed to understand the root issues causing distress. Clinicians provide recommendations and advocacy for appropriate treatment and service planning and consult to the Court about best practice options.
Learn more about MAJCC and what Juvenile Court Clinics do
Research indicates that for every high-risk youth prevented from drug use, dropping out of school, and a life of crime saves society an average of $5 Million. The graph below highlights the disproportionate amount of youth suffering from mental health disorders within the juvenile justice population:
Our Mission
The mission of the Massachusetts Alliance of Juvenile Court Clinics is to:
- Advocate for services for court-involved children and families,
- Educate legislators, providers, and consumers about the needs of the court-involved children and families, and
- Increase the resources necessary to continue existing services and expand the extent of services the Juvenile Court Clinics provide statewide.
Announcements
Juvenile Court Clinics Welcome Chief Justice Dana Gershengorn
The Juvenile Court Clinics are excited to work with Chief Justice Dana Gershengorn, Chief Justice of the Commonwealth’s Juvenile Courts. Chief Justice Gershengorn was appointed in June 2024 after 15 years as a Juvenile Court judge. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Chief Gershengorn handled child exploitation/child abuse cases at the Middlesex DA’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Chief Justice Gershengorn graduated from the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
The Juvenile Court Clinic (JCC) Directors and Juvenile Forensic Manager Bridget Nichols met with Chief Gershengorn in February, 2025. The JCCs shared recent developments in JCC services and welcomed the opportunity to work together to meet the needs of court-involved children and families across the Commonwealth. MAJCC Co-Chairs, Rebecca Pries and Pooja Khialani, also met with Chief Gershengorn to introduce her to MAJCC’s advocacy work and goals for FY26 and beyond.
MAJCC Welcomes Ronna Wallace, Lobbyist
Ronna Wallace, Principal, Wallace and Associates, joined MAJCC as lobbyist in January 2025. With her background in government relations and advocacy for health care interests, Ronna is an excellent fit with MAJCC’s Mission. Ronna succeeds Ed Brennan who was MAJCC’s lobbyist from 2006 through 2024.
Who we are
Top Row L-R: Dr. Paul Rotkiewicz, Kris Latour Kennedy, LICSW, Chief Justice Amy L. Nechtem, Tom Capasso, Deputy Court Administrator, Dr. Leah Kelly Bottom Row L-R: Rebecca Pries, LMHC, Rebecca Harrington, LICSW, Bridget Nichols, LICSW, Manager of Juvenile Court Clinic Services, Dr. Michelle Lockwood, Dr. Pooja Khialani, Julie Ann Lamacchia, LICSW, Dr. Dan Sanford
MAJCC Leadership:
Co-Chairs: Rebecca Pries, LMHC and Dr. Pooja Khialani
Treasurer: Kris Latour Kennedy, LICSW
Co-Chair Emeritus: Dr. Gary Dube
Member Organizations:
Adolescent Consultation Services (ACS)
Behavioral Health Network (BHN)
Who we serve
MAJCC’s service areas in Massachusetts:
Please support our mission and find out how you can help
Massachusetts Alliance of Juvenile Court Clinics (MAJCC) 