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Brevity on the NetWednesday, July 19, 2006 A weekly newsletter about juvenile justice
from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges,
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Two More Articles on The Jump in Juvenile Crime
Police in cities across the country are linking the recent jump in the nation’s violent crime rate to an increasing number of juveniles involved in armed robberies, assaults and other incidents. The reasons for the rise in juvenile crime are complex. Tight local budgets and reduced federal spending for police, new anti-terrorism duties, an economy that is slowing down and bringing with it poverty and financial uncertainty are sited as possible reasons for the jump.
Police tie jump in crime to juveniles
Cities grapple with crime by kids ++++++++++ How Does the Juvenile Justice System Measure Up? Applying Performance Measures in Five Jurisdictions
This new Special Project Bulletin from NCJJ presents a case for measuring and reporting juvenile justice system performance outcomes and a field-tested strategy for collecting and reporting juvenile justice outcome measures. The performance measures presented in this Bulletin are predicated on the goals and measurable objectives of balanced and restorative justice. The experiences of five disparate jurisdictions are used to illustrate that it is both possible and useful to measure juvenile justice system performance for individuals, agencies, and entire systems. With a preface by Judge Michael Anderegg, Presiding Judge of the Family Division in Marquette County, Michigan. 24 page pdf file. ++++++++++ Substance Abuse News New Hampshire Adopts Vertical Drivers’ License Law
NH drivers under 21 will have vertical licenses starting in January 2008. The licenses provide an instant visual cue that the driver is under age. At least thirteen states have adopted vertical drivers’ license laws. Walgreens’ Drug Tracking System
An electronic database designed by Walgreens is used to track sales of medications that can be used to make methamphetamine. The Illinois AG says the system has been effective in enforcing laws limiting the amount of drugs containing ephedrine and pseudoephedrine that can be sold to customers. A “Tidal Wave” of Underage Drinking Costs
A newly published study shows that underage drinking costs America nearly $62 billion a year.
Consider these facts: More young people drink alcohol than use illegal drugs. Alcohol kills four times more kids than illegal drugs combined. Federal funding for preventing drug use is about 25 times greater than spending on underage drinking prevention. Each year, underage drinking leads to almost 3,200 deaths and 2.6 million other harmful events, from serious injury to high-risk sex among youth, according to the study.
++++++++++ America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2006
The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has released this annual report that includes detailed information on the welfare of children and families. The report is available online at the link above. ++++++++++ YSA Youth Venture $1,000 Awards
Thirty awards of up to $1,000 in start-up funds will be available to young people who want to create new, sustainable and civic-minded organizations, clubs or businesses. Applications must be received by 5 pm July 24th. Details at the link above. ++++++++++ Congress Identifies Pornography Purchasers
A Congressional subcommittee investigating the growth of online child pornography has referred the names of hundreds of people who purchased illegal images to state prosecutors around the country. Referrals were made late last month to attorneys general in 46 states. Information provided included names, credit card information and identifying details of the computers used to purchase monthly memberships at an illegal child pornography site. ++++++++++ It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education
The Casey Foundation presents this resource guide for child welfare professionals to help young people from foster care prepare academically, financially, and emotionally for postsecondary education and training success. See link in upper right hand corner of your screen to download this publication and a companion piece, It’s My Life: Financial Aid. ++++++++++ Fentanyl Linked to Recent Clusters of Drug Overdoses and Deaths in U.S.
CESAR FAX presents this one page review the use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl combined with heroin din an outbreak of overdoses and deaths reported in a number of east cost and Midwest cities. ++++++++++ Positive Support: Mentoring and Depression Among High-Risk Youth
P/PV (Public/Private Ventures) has just published this new report on the potential benefits of matching high-risk youth with faith-based mentors. Loadable at the site. ++++++++++
Changing the Buzz: From Impact of Harm to Power of Assets for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
August 17-18, 2006 – Albuquerque, New Mexico
HHS and NCJFCJ’s Family Violence Department presents this conference for persons interested in developing new ways of meeting the needs of children exposed to domestic violence. Participants will learn how cultural identify, community, and family serve as sources of strength to children, as well as other ways to promote resiliency in children. It will provide professionals with an opportunity to dialogue with others around the country on expanding the vision of services for children. Click on the link above for details and to register for the conference. ++++++++++ People With Mental Illness
This new COPS (Community Oriented Policing Services) publication addresses problems associated with people with mental illness. This guide describes the problems and reviews factors that increase the challenges police face in relation to the mentally ill. It then identifies a series of questions that might help analyze local policing problems associated with people with mental illness. 70+ page pdf file. ++++++++++ Obesity Resource
Connect for Kids has pulled together a comprehensive resource section at its web site on obesity in children. CDC says the percentage of children between the ages of six and 11 who are overweight doubled between 1976 and 2002. Among kids between the ages of 13 and 19, the percentages that were overweight tripled between 1976 and 2002. ++++++++++ CASA Volunteers: Keeping Watch Over Children in the System
A description of the CASA volunteers and the CASA program in Arlington, Virginia and its plans for expansion in the next year. ++++++++++ Three National Model Programs for Parental Skill-Building
The Center for the Improvement of Child Caring presents these three programs: The Confident Parenting Program – for use with all parents. Teaches a positive parenting philosophy and a series of very practical parenting skills. Effective Black Parenting and Los Niños Bien Educados Programs – Culturally-adapted versions of the Confident Parenting Program. They teach all the skills in Confident parenting in a culturally-sensitive manner and frame skills within the values and cultural goals of each group.
++++++++++ A 16 Year Old Refuses Chemotherapy
A Virginia teen went through chemotherapy for Hodgkin’s disease once and has refused a 2nd round of treatment. His parents are charged with medical neglect. He and his parents are treating his cancer with an herbal remedy and an organic diet for which the American Cancer Society says there is no scientific evidence that it is effective. Although he isn’t old enough to vote or buy a drink, Abraham Cherrix argues that he is old enough to make decisions about treatment to save his life.
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Joey Binard, Senior Program Manager
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Juvenile & Family Law Department
NCJFCJ
Brevity is supported by Grant No.2005-JL-FX-0065 from the
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice
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