Jaya Davis, PhD
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About Dr. Jaya Davis
Jaya Davis, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at Arlington. She earned her PhD in Juvenile Justice from Prairie View A&M University and focuses her work on understanding juvenile delinquency and strengthening juvenile justice systems.
Her work advances research, curriculum development, practitioner education, and applied systems reform. Dr. Davis served as the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Site Coordinator for the Annie E. Casey Foundation in partnership with the Dallas County Juvenile Department, where she worked to improve conditions for detained youth and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system.
She works closely with law enforcement and community partners to apply research in real-world settings, and was recognized by the Arlington Police Department (TX) with the Citizen Community Award for her contributions to strengthening collaboration and improving community-based approaches.
She has played a key role in shaping police–youth engagement training that strengthens relationships, improves understanding, and supports more effective interactions between law enforcement and young people.
Why Organizations Choose Dr. Davis
Deep Juvenile Justice Expertise
Research-Informed Policy & Practice Guidance
Applied Juvenile Justice Systems Experience
Practitioner-Focused Training Approaches
Strong Cross-Agency Collaboration
Practical Implementation Support
Schedule a consultation to discuss your youth justice goals and training needs and receive a clear plan for next steps.
Any Questions? Let’s talk
(817) 502-9197
Our Professionals
Meet the YES Team
Collectively, the YES team brings more than 100 years of combined experience
across policing, juvenile justice, victim services, and national policy leadership.
Theron L. Bowman, PhD
Founder/CEO/Instructor
Jaya Davis, PhD
Contributor/Instructor
James Hawthorne, MA
Contributor/Instructor
Cynthia Erich, MS
Contributor/Instructor
Pastor (Ret.) Ken Harrell
Contributor/Instructor
testimonials
What Leaders Say About YES
Our work is focused on one goal: improving outcomes for youth,
their families, and the professionals who serve them.
YES is built for moments that escalate quickly—and are often reviewed later.
Leaders who have implemented the training report that it helps professionals better understand youth behavior and approach encounters differently.
“Youth Engagement Strategies is a good interrupter—it helps break the cycle between juvenile delinquency and later adult criminal behavior.”
Consultation Available
Ready To Strengthen
Youth Encounter Outcomes?
Schedule a free consultation to discuss your current challenges, training goals, and delivery options. We'll recommend a practical, tailored approach to strengthen safety, consistency, and youth engagement outcomes.
The Bowman Group is a nationally recognized public safety consulting firm that helps organizations reduce risk, rebuild trust, and strengthen safety and collaboration. Led by former police chiefs and public safety leaders, the team brings decades of experience in public safety, leadership, youth engagement, and cross-sector partnerships. We provide practical, values-driven solutions that support consistent, defensible, and sustainable outcomes.
Phone: 817-502-9197
Email: [email protected]
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