Felipe Franco is the Senior Fellow within Annie E. Casey Center for System Innovation with a focus on supporting best cross-system practices for system-involved young adults. He also serves as a member to the New York City Board of Corrections, with oversight responsibility of standards of care over New York City jails.

Before Casey, Felipe held the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Youth and Family Justice within the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Under his tenure the number of youths in detention and in placement decreased by over 45%, and 65% respectively and the Close to Home program demonstrated that it was possible to safely support youth close to their families and reinvest in the community by closing youth prisons. In 2019 Felipe Franco oversaw the transfer of all 16- and 17-year old’s out of Riker’s Island to NYC juvenile facilities.

Prior to overseeing juvenile justice in New York City, Franco served as Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Opportunities for Youth at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services where he oversaw the full juvenile justice continuum of care and implemented reforms that lead to the closure of 26 youth prisons by investing in family and community supports.