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-- ShakespeareBrevity on the NetWednesday, June 14, 2006 A weekly newsletter about juvenile justice
from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges,
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Reno District Court Judge Wounded in Chambers
Reno is a pretty small western city. Monday’s shooting of District Court Judge Chuck Weller ripped through our community, leaving behind worried citizens concerned about courtroom and judge security and the volatility of hostile divorces. Judge Weller, who only last week attended our class for judges who hear child abuse and neglect cases at our headquarters here in Reno, is a member of NCJFCJ. We are pleased to hear that he is making good progress and wish him and his family well. ++++++++++ Violent Crime Up
The FBI’s preliminary annual crime report showed an overall jump of 2.5% for violence offenses, including increases in homicide, robbery and assault. It was the first rise of any note since 2001. While smaller to medium sized cities showed a marked increase in crime, cities with more the one million residents were the only FBI population category to show a decline in violent crime. ++++++++++ Foster Care Alumni of America
This new, national non-profit organization for children, youth and adults who share the foster care experience intends to be the voice for change for individuals and the entire foster care system. ++++++++++ SAMHSA Alert About a Deadly Heroin Mix
Since early April, more than 100 deaths have been linked to heroin mixed with fentanyl, a narcotic considered 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Chicago has seen about 600 overdoses since April and 62 people have died from a mix or heroin and fentanyl. In one week Detroit authorities reported that 33 people died from the mix. ++++++++++ Returning Soldiers and Their Families
When soldiers return home there are adjustments to be made. Children have grown and changed, soldiers bring PTSD home with them, and the entire family may have struggled with depression. This article from Connect for Kids examines soldiers and their families, the resources the military has for them, and a has special section on children and reconnection. ++++++++++ Alaska Native Leader Says Culture Aids Suicides
William Martin, chairman of the Alaska Suicide Prevention Council thinks he knows why Alaska Native villages tend to suffer waves of suicide. Martin says the problem is entwined with family violence, alcohol and drug use, and cultural disconnection. Approaches that address these broader issues are more effective. He praised the behavioral health aide program as an effective way to establish mental health services in distant communities. +++++++++ Child Sex Crimes Death Penalty Is Widening
Five states now allow the death penalty for sex crimes against children. Oklahoma, South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Montana all have such laws. ++++++++++ Communities Empowering Youth Program Will Make 100 Awards Totaling $30 Million
The Administration for Child and Families’ Compassion Capital Fund (CCF) is looking for organizations that have a record of addressing an encouraging positive youth development among the 12-to-21-year-old age group. Lead organizations will partner with faith-based and community organizations to build their capacity to better meet the needs of America’s disadvantaged youth in the areas of gang activity, youth violence, and child abuse and neglect. Applications due by July 10. Click on the link above for 26 pages of details. ++++++++++ Meth Takes a Toll on Indian Reservations
The rate at which Indians use meth appears to have dramatically increased in the past five years. An administration survey found in 2004 that almost 2% of the American Indian population was using meth. The drug has torn apart families, led to increases in crime and raised mortality rates. Now it is affecting Native American housing. ++++++++++ Is There Justice in the Juvenile Justice System: Examining the Role of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
This article explains the importance of understanding the role of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in adjudicating juvenile offenders. The author, Sharon J. Williams, notes a system wide lack of critical knowledge of FASD, includes data on the prevalence of FASD in the juvenile justice system, and demonstrates how social adaptive behaviors, learning disabilities and behavior problems associated with FASD affect individuals in the juvenile justice system. 15 page pdf file. ++++++++++ When Fear Is Part of School
According to a survey released last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6% of high school students in the country said they missed at least one day of school the previous month because they felt unsafe a school or on their way to or from school. That is up from 5.4% in the last survey in 2003. This article profiles students who have experienced violence in school and their and their families’ attempts to get them into safe situations. +++++++++++ North Carolina’s Year Long Learner’s Permit
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) in North Carolina means that teens are required to hold a learner’s permit a full year. There is a non-family passenger limit of one person under 21. After one year 16-year-olds who complete the learner permit requirement are issued an intermediate license that forbids them from driving between 9 pm and 5 am for six months. Finally, students are required to pass 70% of their classes to drive legally. ++++++++++ Incorporating Youth Development Principles into Adolescent Health Programs: A Guide for State-Level Practitioners and Policy Makers
The youth development approach calls for a focus on young people’s capacities, strengths and developmental needs and not solely on their problems, risks or health compromising behaviors. Applying youth development to public health focuses on assessment, policy development and assurance. While this paper is obviously not for everyone, it does have information and resources useful to many and a large number of quality Internet links. 34 page pdf file. ++++++++++ How One Community Acts for Children in Foster Care
Connect for Kids reports on Cabarrus County, North Carolina’s activities on behalf of foster children. The Safe House, for instance, provides an opportunity for siblings who have been separated to get together, have fun, and visit with other kids in the same position. Foster parents in the county keep informed through monthly training meetings, newsletters and annual appreciation events. ++++++++++ Child Refugees Experience Treatment Worse Than Adults
A two-year study of U.S. immigration laws and agencies finds that unaccompanied children fleeing to the United States to escape persecution often meet a harsh, hostile reception, according to a new Harvard University study. According to the report, about 8.000 children sought sanctuary in the United States in 2003, arriving with no family or adult guardian. Many had no legal counsel and were vulnerable to exploitation. The report urges U.S. authorities to recognize legitimate claims by child asylum-seekers and to conduct more thorough investigations. ++++++++++ International Human Rights: Law and Resources for Juvenile Defenders & Advocates
The National Juvenile Defender Center has published and makes available online this briefing paper to help defenders integrate new resources into their legal efforts. Includes sections on: Sources of International Human Rights Law Human Rights and United States Courts Inter-American Human Rights System Reconciling Due Process & Best Interest in Children’s Human Rights a set of human rights principles for juvenile justice advocates.
16 page pdf file.
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