The list of achievements for Earl Dunlap is nearly as long and imposing as his physical stature. You only need to meet Earl once to remember him. He is a man of great insight on the critical issues impacting his profession. He is a man of great passion when it comes to helping the nation’s most troubled, at-risk, and delinquent youth. The Chicago Sun-Times in a 2007 article referred to him as a “folksy gentleman.” However, the most important thing to know is that Earl Dunlap is an honorable individual, a man of his word, who always does the right thing even when those around him may be providing alternative counsel.
Through Earl’s leadership, guidance, and support, the National Partnership was formed in an effort to maximize resources and minimize duplication for those organizations focusing on supporting the professionals working with at-risk youth in the United States. Earl was CEO of NPJS from formation in 2004 until his retirement in 2010. Prior to the formation of the Partnership, Earl was the Executive Director of the National Juvenile Detention Association.
Mr. Dunlap has extensive experience working with local, state, and federal agencies targeting the improvement of training and professional development for detention workers; the reduction of facility crowding issues; the development of alternatives-to-detention and diversion programs; and the overall improvement of quality of life in juvenile detention. His practitioner (hands-on) experience comes from many years of working in and managing juvenile confinement facilities in Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Washington DC, and Chicago.
Additionally, Mr. Dunlap has:
- served, by federal court appointment, as the Transitional Administrator of the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago;
- testified before the U.S. Senate on youth violence;
- testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee on the Prison Rape Elimination Act;
- served on Presidential Commissions examining child abuse and neglect as well as missing and exploited children;
- appeared on CNN Talk Back Live discussing the issue of Youth Violence in America;
- been an expert witness in court trials on juvenile justice issues;
- served, by U.S. Attorney General appointment, as a Federal Court Monitor on a consent decree case in Kentucky;
- authored articles in professional publications;
- served on numerous national advisory boards and committees;
- managed a number of local, state, and federally-funded projects;
- been a consultant on projects all across the United States;
- served, under then-County Judge Executive Mitch McConnell, as the Administrator of the Louisville/Jefferson County (KY) Missing and Exploited Child Unit in the 1980s. This unit was the precursor to the development of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which was founded by now-Senator Mitch McConnell following his election to the U.S. Congress in the mid-1980s.
Earl is the recipient of the:
- Kentucky Council on Crime and Delinquency’s Juvenile Justice Award;
- Michigan Juvenile Detention Association’s C.A. Zott Distinguished Service Award;
- National Juvenile Detention Association’s Donald R. Hammegren Distinguished Service Award;
- Juvenile Justice Trainers Association’s Award of Excellence;
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s Justice for Children Award; and
- National Partnership for Juvenile Services’ James Gould Leadership and Vision Award.