By Benjamin Chambers, March 18 2011
White House May Rethink its Juvenile Justice Spending Plan
In mid-February, Youth Today reported that President Obama's budget contained a proposal to radically change federal juvenile justice funding for the states. Now, Youth Today's John Kelly reports that it may be reconsidering, after strongly negative reactions from juvenile justice advocates.- VIDEO: Mississippi County Sued After Video Reveals "Hogtied" Youth and Other Abuse
The Southern Poverty Law Center has sued Forrest County, Missisissippi, over revelations of numerous instances of juvenile detention center personnel physically abusing youth in their care (many documented on surveillance video cameras) and force them to allow youth access to lawyers and civil rights advocates, in accord with federal law. Follow the link to see the video coverage. (Hat tip to sparkaction.)
- SAMHSA Recovery Month - Order Your Tool Kit Now!
Each September hundreds of communities around the country take part in Recovery Month to raise awareness of and support for people in recovery from dependence on drugs or alcohol and mental health issues. Now's your chance to pre-order your tool kit to plan great community events celebrating recovery. This is a great opportunity to support the youth in treatment and in recovery, and to get the word out about the critical need for more treatment, better treatment, and beyond treatment! (Hat tip to Christa Myers.) - Youth Movement Records - Youth-Run Rap Label in Oakland, CA
A few weeks back, I asked readers for examples of Hip Hop being used with youth in the juvenile justice system. Then Paul Savery sent me a link for Youth Movement Records (YMR) -- click the subheadline here to see their video -- a non-profit whose mission is to engage youth 13-19 using "music, mentoring and entrepreneurship in order to reduce violence, develop skills and create community change." Or check out this great video of a benefit concert YMR youth did in Portland, OR, in 2006 -- the best part if is hearing them talk about what a thrill it was. - State Trends: Removing Youth from the Adult Criminal Justice System 2005-2010
The Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) just released a report on legislative victories achieved beween 2005 and 2010 on keeping kids out of the adult criminal justice system - check it out! - State Mental Health Cuts: A National Crisis
As if Illinois' plans to cut all state funding for alcohol and drug treatment -- and Maine's plans to gut its residential treatment -- weren't bad enough, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has documented a disturbing trend as most states hack away at mental health services. - Funding Cuts to Treatment: Stopping the Wrecking Ball
When I posted last month about drastic cuts Illinois was making to its treatment system, I wasn't certain if other states would follow. Sparkaction's Eddy Ameen has more information about what's going on in Illinois, whether other states will follow its lead -- and what to do about it. - Gang Research Grants from OJJDP
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is looking for field-initiated research and evaluation programs on gangs, with the aim of producing "practical findings for policymakers and practitioners for the development of evidence-based programs, policies, and strategies that effectively address at-risk and gang-involved youth." (Hat tip to JUVJUST.) - Webinar: Taking Advantage of Tax Freedom Day and the Tax Season to Challenge Public Perceptions about Taxes
Want to bolster public support for services that help youth in the juvenile justice system and adolescent substance abuse treatment system turn their lives around? Then tune in to this webinar sponsored by the Demos Center for the Public Sector on how to adjust your messaging to take advantage of news cycles focused on tax season. It'll be held Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 9 am PST / 12 pm EST - follow the link to register. Email questions here.
Topics: Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice Reform, News, No bio box, Positive Youth Development
Updated: February 08 2018