Family Alliance Movement (FAM)

JULY 28 | WHAT’S THE 411?

Do you know your rights when your child is involved in the juvenile justice system?

Navigating the juvenile justice system can feel overwhelming, especially for families experiencing it for the first time. It is important for parents and guardians to understand their rights, the court process, and the supports available to them. Having accurate information early can help families advocate effectively for their child, ensure due process is followed, and connect to appropriate legal and community resources.

This session will be packed with practical information, real-world guidance, and interactive discussion designed to help families better understand how the juvenile justice system works. Participants will learn about their rights, available supports, key stages of the court process, and strategies for effectively advocating for their child while maintaining stability and support at home.

Yulise Reaves Waters, Esq. serves as the Chief Innovations Officer at Lone Star Justice Alliance (LSJA), where she leads transformative initiatives aimed at creating equitable systems and improving outcomes for justice-impacted youth and young adults.

Prior to joining LSJA, Waters served as an Assistant City Attorney and Lead Community Courts Prosecutor for the City of Dallas. In 2014, she co-founded the Second Chance Community Improvement Program (SCCIP), which became the first felony community court in Dallas County and the first young adult specialty court in the State of Texas. Under her leadership, SCCIP received the National Association of Drug Court Professionals' 2018 Equity and Inclusion Award, recognizing excellence and leadership in advancing cultural proficiency within treatment court services.

Waters earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Organizational Behavior and Business Policy, all magna cum laude, as well as a Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She is also a graduate of the inaugural 2019–2020 Dallas Truth, Racial Healing, & Transformation Racial Equity Now Cohort.

A nationally recognized voice on race, equity, and justice, Waters' commentaries have been featured on syndicated radio programs and in major newspapers across the United States. She maintains active membership in the Juvenile Law, Criminal Justice, and Collaborative Law Sections of the State Bar of Texas and is a graduate of the Leadership Dallas Class of 2020.

Her commitment to public service extends across numerous civic and community leadership roles. She serves on the Dallas County Sheriff's Community Partnership Board and the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance (MDHA) Racial Equity Workgroup. She previously served as an appointee to the 2020–2021 Dallas ISD Racial Equity Office Trustee Appointed Advisory Council and as Chair of the 2021 Dallas ISD District of Innovation Committee. Waters is also a member of the inaugural Emerging Leader Board at SMU Dedman School of Law, which recognizes graduates from the past twenty years who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the legal profession and a sustained commitment to public service.

Throughout her career, Waters has received numerous honors and accolades for her leadership and impact, including recognition in Who's Who in Black Dallas, the City of Dallas Wall of Honor for meritorious service to the citizens of Dallas, the Texas Muslim Women's Foundation Peace Champion Award, DFW Millennial-to-Watch, and an honorable mention for the Texas State Fair Juanita J. Craft Catalyst Award. She was also named one of D Magazine's 78 Women Changing the Face of Dallas.

Additional honors include the 2020 SMU Dedman School of Law Emerging Leader Distinguished Alumni Award, the Dallas Business Journal's prestigious 40 Under 40 recognition, and the SMU Black Alumni History Maker Award, the organization's highest distinction.