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Experts
Vera’s experts conduct research and analysis and develop policies and programs in a variety of criminal and social justice fields. Their varied knowledge, background, and experience enable Vera to address the full spectrum of national and local justice issues.
Margaret
diZerega
- Director, Family Justice Program
Margaret works with corrections departments, juvenile justice agencies, and faith- and community-based organizations to support them in adopting family-focused and strength-based approaches. Before starting the Family Justice Program at Vera, Margaret was the director of training and technical assistance at Family Justice where she worked for three years. While at Family Justice, she led the development of the Relational Inquiry Tool as well as ongoing work with the Michigan Department of Corrections and California’s Division of Juvenile Justice. Prior to Family Justice, Margaret provided technical assistance to affordable housing developers and police as a program officer at LISC’s Community Safety Initiative. Margaret holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Williams College and a Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.
Blog Posts
A new five-minute video shows how one department of corrections helps identify people's social supports with the goal of improving outcomes at facilities and in the community.
An article by Vera's Ryan Shanahan describes the development and pilot of a tool the Family Justice Program is using in juvenile justice facilities.
Ryan Shanahan and Annie Salsich have recently contributed to the blog of Reclaiming Futures, a project based in Portland, Oregon, that "helps young people in trouble with drugs, alcohol, and crime."
In the News
Multimedia
- Video
Vera’s Family Justice Program helps corrections, parole, and probation staff draw on families as a positive influence for their loved ones in the justice system. This five minute video, developed with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Public Welfare Foundation, depicts how this approach is being implemented by corrections, parole and probation in Oklahoma City. The video was directed by Brian Quist.



