Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Donald Schoenrock and Jenel Wavra and the reappointment of Gail Chang Bohr, William Collins, Jr., Richard Smith, and Amanda Voight to the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC). All six are appointed to four-year terms that expire on January 5, 2009.

Bohr, of St. Paul, is the executive director of Children's Law Center of Minnesota, which provides representation for children in juvenile court through its approximately 170 volunteer lawyers. She also serves on the Children's Justice Initiative Committees of both Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Bohr, who was first appointed to the JJAC last year to fill an unscheduled vacancy, represents private, non-profit organizations as well as persons knowledgeable about learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, child abuse and neglect and youth violence.

Collins, of St. Paul, is the executive director of the YWCA of St. Paul. He is also a member of the Ramsey County Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Youth Council, the Board of Directors of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, the Minnesota Twins Community Fund, and served on the 2004 St. Paul Police Chief Selection Committee. Collins, who has been a member of the JJAC since 2001 and is currently co-vice-chair, represents private, non-profit organizations.

Schoenrock, of Alexandria, is completing his undergraduate work at Minnesota State University, St. Cloud, and anticipates receiving his bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice in May 2005. His senior thesis is on juvenile work camps. Schoenrock replaces Amanda Voight as a youth member.

Smith, of Plymouth, is a Fourth Judicial District Guardian Ad Litem in Hennepin County and an Indian Child Welfare Act Specialist. He was also a youth intervention supervisor for seven years with the Ginew/Golden Eagles Minneapolis American Indian Center. Smith, who has been a member of the JJAC since 2001, represents public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment.

Voight, of Edina, is a family therapist with Meridian Behavioral Health Network in Minnetonka. She is a doctoral candidate in family psychology and has a master's degree in counseling and psychological services. Raymond was first appointed to the JJAC in 1996 as a youth member, and is now appointed to replace Judith Kahn as a representative of youth workers involved with alternative programs.

Wavra, of Moorhead, is an assistant Clay County attorney and handles all juvenile delinquency cases for the Clay County attorney's office. Wavra replaces Megan Hunt Schlueter on the JJAC as a representative of juvenile justice agencies.

The Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee awards grants and carries out the state plan of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The committee consists of 18 members appointed by the Governor.