193 - Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline Through Inclusion with Alessia Perretti

In this episode of The Inclusive Dad podcast, host AAron sits down with Alessia Perretti, a system change youth advocate working at the intersection of disability and juvenile justice. Alessia shares powerful insights on how overlooked disabilities contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline and why inclusion must consider intersecting identities. She discusses gaps in reentry systems, the importance of collaboration across sectors, and the need to challenge “us vs. them” thinking. Through real-world experience, Alessia highlights how kindness, communication, and understanding behavior as communication can transform systems and lives, especially for youth navigating trauma, disability, and reintegration into society.

Key Takeaways:

Intersection Matters – Inclusion must consider overlapping identities like disability, race, and incarceration.

Hidden Disabilities – Many youth go undiagnosed, leading to mislabeling as defiant rather than supported.

System Gaps – Lack of communication between systems causes people to fall through the cracks.

Behavior Signals – Challenging behavior is often a form of communication, not defiance.

Kindness First – Compassion and understanding are foundational to true inclusion.

Alessia Perretti’s definition of inclusion:

Inclusion is a space that not only recognizes disability, but also recognizes all the variables that intersect with it and all the identities that intersect with it.

Alessia Perretti’s Bio:

Alessia Perretti is a Systems Change Youth Advocate empowering youth with disabilities, especially those impacted by the justice system. She works to break down barriers and create equitable opportunities, blending research, policy, and advocacy to ensure every young person has the support they need to thrive.

Connect with Alessia Perretti:

Website: https://www.alessiaperretti.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessiaperretti/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aperretti_/

SPAM© Count:

Host:

Yes

Current Guest:

Yes

Cumulative Guest Stats:

Yes - 85

No - 106

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