Felipe A. Franco is a senior fellow at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He focuses on cross-system strategies that support older teens and young adults in their transition to adulthood, such as the Emerging Adult Justice Framework. This set of principles focuses specifically on achieving positive outcomes for people ages 18 to 25 involved in the criminal justice system. Jurisdictions and/or programs in Los Angeles, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York City, Oklahoma and Washington, D.C. are implementing the framework.
Before joining the Foundation in 2019, Franco was a deputy commissioner of the New York City Administration for Children’s Services with responsibility for youth justice. He led the implementation of Close to Home, which reduced the city’s reliance on youth prisons by demonstrating that youth could be supported in their communities safely.
In addition to his role at Casey, Franco is an appointed member of the New York City Board of Corrections, where he helps oversee the city’s jail system. Also, he serves on the boards of Forum for Youth Investment and Break Free Education.
