Blog: News

Juvenile Justice Reform

• New Web-Based Expungement Tools Launched by IL, MD, LA (National Juvenile Justice Network)
  Having a record—even from youth court—can drastically affect a young person’s life chances, including their prospects of education, employment, and housing. Expunging that record is one way to address this issue, but the requirements for expungement are often opaque to many who are eligible.

• Critics Point to Problems in Louisiana’s Reformed Juvenile Justice System (JJIE)
  Reports of gladiator-style fighting, guards molesting children and a lack of basic education for kids as young as 14 once gave Louisiana’s juvenile justice system the reputation of one of the worst in the country. In 2003, the Louisiana Legislature passed sweeping reforms. Over time, those efforts helped whittle down the number of kids locked in sprawling, prison-like facilities from more than 2,000 to about 350 today.

• State Awarded $6.75 Million to Support Offender Re-entry Services (Effingham Herald)
  Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia was awarded $6.75 million in federal grant money to support re-entry services for rehabilitated offenders.
• No Country for Young Men (The Marshall Project)
  On Feb. 27, 2013, 17-year-old Junior Smith was summoned to the front office of his Philippi, West Virginia, high school. It was eighth period, just a few minutes before everyone would start streaming out of the building for dismissal. When Junior got to the office, a police officer was there, waiting for him. The officer handcuffed Junior and led him past his staring classmates to a waiting patrol car.

Jobs, Grants, Events and Webinars

• Please share the Reclaiming Futures Opportunity Board with your colleagues in the juvenile justice, adolescent substance abuse and teen mental health areas. It’s free to browse and post!

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health

• Children’s Mental Health Changes Aimed at Addressing ER Crisis (CT Mirror)
  Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is expected to announce a plan Wednesday to expand the services available for children and teens with significant mental health needs, a response to concerns about the growing number of young people going to -- and often stuck in -- emergency rooms in psychiatric crisis.

• Strong Attention Skills Can Help Some Teens Avoid Substance Use Problems (PsychCentral)
  New research suggests teens with strong executive attention skills – the ability to focus on task and ignore distractions – are more likely to avoid substance abuse issues after early drug experimentation.

• Butte Lands Big Grant for Suicide Prevention (Montana Standard)
  Butte public schools have landed a massive grant aimed at preventing suicide. The district will split the $1.2 million grant with Kalispell and Browning public schools, part of a series of grants announced this week by Superintendent Denise Juneau of the Montana Office of Public Instruction.
• Marijuana Studies Reveal Some Risks Not Known Before (The Wichita Eagle)
  With clever names like Peace of Mind, Girl Scout Cookies, Train Wreck and Tsunami, it’s a good bet that the marketers of legal marijuana finished high school. That’s less certain for their younger customers. New research shows daily marijuana use before the age of 17 cuts your chances of graduating from high school or getting a college degree by 60 percent.

Juvenile Justice Reform

• Oklahoma Sees New Push to Allow Juvenile Competency Hearings (JJIE)
  In Oklahoma, competency determinations are allowed in cases where a juvenile is tried as an adult and in “youthful offender” cases, in which a teenager is adjudicated for a serious crime but with limited punishment and probation. A person found incompetent can be sent to a clinic or medical professional who will try to establish competency within a certain time. If he or she remains incompetent, the charges are dismissed and the person is ordered to undergo community- or facility-based treatment.

• The Legislation that has the Potential to Reduce Youth Recidivism in California(Nation Swell)
  Nationwide, 80 percent of incarcerated juvenile offenders end up behind bars again. For California — the state with the highest rate of incarcerated youth — this has to stop. But now, a new bipartisan-approved bill (currently waiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature) could change this troubling statistic, VoiceWaves reports.

• New Juvenile Court Diversion Program Gets Off Ground in ICCSD (Press-Citizen)
  A new juvenile justice diversion program for students in the Iowa City Community School District is up and running, though it has only been put to use once in the month since it was introduced.
• Michigan Considering Changes in Juvenile Justice System (WLNS.com)
  Michigan's juvenile justice director is meeting with directors from three other states to discuss changes to their juvenile corrections system. Michigan has been selected to take part in the six month program. 6 News Nick Perreault talked with Michigan's Department of Human Services on what they want to look at and present to the governor in the months ahead.

Jobs, Grants, Events and Webinars

• Please share the Reclaiming Futures Opportunity Board with your colleagues in the juvenile justice, adolescent substance abuse and teen mental health areas. It’s free to browse and post!

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health

• Federal Grant to Help Region Battle Youth Drug Abuse (Leader-Telegram)
  DFC is a federal grant program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy that provides funding to community-based coalitions that organize to prevent youth substance use. Since the passage of the DFC Act in 1997, the DFC program has funded more than 2,000 coalitions and currently mobilizes nearly 9,000 community volunteers across the country.

• Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Opens for Adolescents (The Philadelphia Tribune)
  “At PHMC, we believe physical space and innovative design help drive program delivery. This new facility gives us additional opportunities to fulfill our mission to improve the health of our communities and the lives of the individuals and families we serve through this phenomenal program,” said Richard J. Cohen, president and CEO of PHMC.

• CWRU, Ohio Dept. of Education Receive Federal Funding from President's Youth Gun Violence Plan (Cleveland.com)
  Case Western Reserve University and the Ohio State Department of Education will receive more than $2 million in federal funding to expand training programs for mental health workers who treat children and to help schools recognize and respond to mental health issues in students.

To stay up to date on the latest in juvenile justice news, sign up for these top 10 newsletters:

1. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: News @ a Glance

OJJDP's award winning bimonthly electronic newsletter OJJDP News @ a Glance highlights agency activities, publications, funding opportunities, and upcoming events.

2. Juvenile Justice Information Exchange

The Juvenile Justice Information Exchange (JJIE) is the only publication covering juvenile justice and related issues nationally on a consistent, daily basis.

3.Coalition for Juvenile Justice: Juvenile Justice Monitor

Each month, the Juvenile Justice Monitor offers state and national juvenile justice news from CJJ. A typical monthly issue includes federal policy updates and alerts, news about CJJ conferences and events, news from the SAGs and SAG regional coalitions, CJJ Board of Directors and committee news, National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) news, and other events and resources.

4.National Association of Drug Court Professionals

Sign up for regular email updates from NADCP and stay up to date on the latest Drug Court, Veterans Treatment Court, DWI Court and other problem-solving court news.

5.Center for Public Integrity: Watchdog email

Sign up for the Center for Public Integrity's Watchdog email and get the news you want from the Center when you want it. Select the Juvenile Justice option for alerts related to the “burgeoning debate over proposed new approaches to handling young people at risk.”

6.Justice Policy Institute Newsletter

Receiveperiodic emails including a quarterly newsletter, updates with groundbreaking research reports, and analysis and information about special events or topics related to JPI.

7.National Institute of Mental Health

Sign up for the latest mental health news, research advances, upcoming events, publications, clinical trials, meeting summaries, and more.

8.Spark Action Newsletter

Spark Action sends out a weekly newsletter to “bring together and make sense of highlights across a range of issues you care about.”

9.National Conference of State Legislatures: Juvenile Justice Quarterly

The Juvenile Justice Quarterly is an NCSL electronic newsletter for state legislators, legislative staff, and others interested in state juvenile justice policy. This newsletter provides quarterly updates on state juvenile justice legislation and budgets; highlights innovative policies and programs; and connects you with reports and news of upcoming NCSL events.

10.Reclaiming Futures Weekly Newsletter

Get our e-newsletter on juvenile justice reform, adolescent substance abuse treatment, grants, and learning opportunities!

Do you know somebody who has an inspiring message of recovery to share? In a special 25th anniversary celebration of National Recovery Month, the Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network (ATTC) invites people in recovery from addiction or mental illness to share their stories in 60-second segments.

The “In My Own Words...” Video Message Contest aims to spread a message of hope by recognizing the accomplishments of recovering Americans, and those who have been instrumental in others’ recoveries. By collecting and sharing video stories of those who have succeeded in recovery, we can stifle the negative stigma of addiction and encourage others to speak out and ask for help.

The contest asks participants to address one of the following two prompts in a 60-second video message:
I’m speaking up about my recovery because…
I’m reaching out about my recovery to…
The “In My Own Words...” Video Message Contest, sponsored in conjunction with Faces & Voices of Recovery and Young People in Recovery, closes October 15, 2014.

Head to the ATTC Network for complete instructions on submitting a “In My Own Words...” video.

Why is a family voice significant in the juvenile justice system? I’m addressing this question in a September 19 webinar, along with Sandra Spencer of the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health.

We’ll discuss why family voice is crucial to the success of and support of youth involved in the juvenile justice system. As an advocate for substance abuse and mental health treatment for teens, Reclaiming Futures helps families connect to the community support resources needed for adolescents to stay clean and sober, and become a productive member of society.

Here are three takeaways you’ll gain from attending this webinar:

• Understand and discuss why family and youth voice is critical
• How to incorporate family voice into practice in the juvenile justice system
• Learn how Reclaiming Futures sites have successfully integrated family voice

Details:

• What: Webinar—Increasing Family Voice in the Juvenile Justice System
• When: Friday, September 19, 3-4 p.m. EDT
• Presenters: Sandra Spencer, Executive Director, National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health; Susan Richardson, National Executive Director, Reclaiming Futures;
• Register: Register here
• Cost: Free
• Contact: If you are unable to listen from your computer and need to call in, please email theinstitute@ssw.umaryland.edu

You’re invited to tune into a live broadcast of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) on September 17 at 2-4pm ET. This White House special event celebrates the 25th anniversary of the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

The event will celebrate the millions of individuals who have reclaimed their lives by overcoming addiction, and those who have persevered with them to aid their success.

You can help recognize these individuals at the event by tweeting questions and comments to @Botticelli44 using the hashtag #RecoveryatWH at any time prior to or during the event. Questions will be selected and posed to the panelists in recovery at the event.

Visit the live broadcast on September 17, or host a viewing party and register here.

With your help, we can take an important pause to highlight stories of recovery, uplift the negative stigma of addiction and take the next step toward a national commitment to recovery.

• Who: You, your stakeholders, members and affiliates, and ONDCP
• What: A ONDCP White House special event viewing party
• Where: Your venue of choice + www.whitehouse.gov/live
• When: September 17th | 2 – 4pm EST
• Contact: Nataki MacMurray at RecoveryRSVP@ondcp.eop.gov or (202) 395-5510

Juvenile Justice Reform

• NRRC Webinar Series: "What Works To Promote Success For Youth In the Juvenile Justice System" (National Institute of Corrections)
  The National Reentry Resource Center is presenting a two-part webinar series on what works in the juvenile justice system titled "What Works To Promote Success For Youth In the Juvenile Justice System".

• Why Evidence-Based? New Resource Hub Covers All  (Reclaiming Futures)
  Moving toward the next step in determining reliable practices that reduce youth crime, the National Juvenile Justice Network and the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange launched a new Evidence-Based Practices section of the Juvenile Justice Resource Hub.

• "Raise the Age" Victory in New Hampshire: More Kids Treated as Kids (Campaign for Youth Justice) 
  Are 17 year olds really old enough to be sent to adult prisons? In NH, since 1995, the answer has been YES. Over the past decade, as states across the US have recognized that 17 year olds are still children, NH was unwilling to change. Since 2000, Representative David Bickford (R ) attempted to “Raise the Age” without much support, that is until this year.

Jobs, Grants, Events and Webinars

• Please share the Reclaiming Futures Opportunity Board with your colleagues in the juvenile justice, adolescent substance abuse and teen mental health areas. It’s free to browse and post!

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment and Mental Health

• Austin, TX is the Newest Recipient of a Substance Abuse Helpline for Troubled Teens (prweb.com)
  A new helpline for troubled teens in Austin, TX gives parents and teens a valuable resource to find professional youth rehab.

• Understand Adolescent Addiction - Why Teens Rarely Admit to a Problem (choosehelp.com)
  Understanding adolescent addiction - teens rarely admit to a substance abuse problem and almost never ask for help on their own.

   

Juvenile Justice Reform

• Juvenile Justice White Paper: Core Principles for Reducing Recidivism and Improving Other Outcomes for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System (The Council of State Governments Justice Center)
  
  This white paper was written to guide leaders across all branches of government; juvenile justice system administrators, managers, and front-line staff; and researchers, advocates, and other stakeholders on how to better leverage existing research and resources to facilitate system improvements that reduce recidivism and improve other outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The focus of the white paper is to promote what works to support successful reentry for youth who are under juvenile justice system supervision. To help advance this goal, this white paper does the following:

  Part One distills and synthesizes the research on what works to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth in the juvenile justice system into four core principles. The discussion of each principle includes the latest research supporting the importance of the principle accompanied by specific policy, practice, and resource-allocation recommendations, which when taken together, offers the potential for significant recidivism reductions and improvements in other youth outcomes. It also provides examples illustrating how state and local juvenile justice officials have established particular policies and system interventions to implement these principles.
  Recognizing that improved outcomes are possible only when research on what works is implemented with fidelity, Part Two details lessons learned from research and practice on how to implement the principles effectively, and provides examples of how state and local juvenile justice systems have operationalized the principles in practice.

• Double Charged: The True Cost of Juvenile Justice (Youth Radio)  An interactive resource exploring the true cost of the juvenile justice system. Each year, almost 1.5 million teens, many of them low-income, are arrested in the United States. Compared to ten years ago, fewer of these young people end up incarcerated due to cost-saving measures at the county level, but what impact do those measures have on minors and their families? In a yearlong investigation, Youth Radio tracked two new trends – teen GPS ankle monitoring and making parents pay for their kids’ jail time and probation.

Jobs, Grants, Events and Webinars

• Please share the Reclaiming Futures Opportunity Board with your colleagues in the juvenile justice, adolescent substance abuse and teen mental health areas. It’s free to browse and post!

Juvenile Justice Reform

• Juvenile Justice Reforms Prominent in New Bill by U.S. Senators Booker and Paul (JJIE)
  Two first-term senators from opposite sides of the aisle introduced legislation Tuesday banning the use of juvenile solitary confinement in federal facilities, along with several other reforms that would impact juveniles offenders.
• Natalie Kato: Reform for Juvenile Sentencing (Tallahassee Democrat)
  By requiring that most kids under 18 sentenced to 25 years or longer for murder receive a review of their sentences, the bill effectively halts one of the state of Florida's ugliest criminal justice practices: the sentencing of children to spend the rest of their lives in prison with no hope of release.
• Counseling Should Be a Part of Any Juvenile Crime Reforms (Chicago Sun-Times)
  "If poor people don’t have opportunity, don’t have hope, don’t have a future, they are going to lash out. If they only have baseball bats, they would be using those. This is about racism, classism and oppression and oppressed people boil over,” said William Sampson, chairperson of the Public Policy Studies Department at DePaul University.

• Florida’s Juvenile Justice System Making Strides (The Palm Beach Post)
  The state’s Department of Juvenile Justice has made groundbreaking strides to move to a therapeutic, rehabilitative and youth-centered community-based agency.