By: JO ANN PAANIO Jasmine was barely 15 when she entered a drop-in center for the first time. She heard about the center from friends who shared it...
Jo Ann Paanio
Jo Ann Paanio is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National
Network for Youth with experiences in federal policy advocacy, human
centered design, education, and direct legal services. Prior to joining the
NN4Y, Jo Ann focused on government relations and capacity building
strategies leading a national advocacy campaign to increase pathways
to education and employment for disconnected youth. Jo Ann’s
commitment to improving outcomes for children, youth, and families
began through her experiences with JusticeCorps and later as a Legal
Fellow with Whittier Law School’s Center for Children and Families. As a
former legal advocate, Jo Ann’s work spanned across housing rights,
child welfare, juvenile justice and immigration law. As a faculty member
of California State University, Dominguez Hills’ Political Science
Department, Jo Ann taught undergraduate courses in U.S. and global
politics. Jo Ann holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School.