October 2013

TopHighlight of the Month

 

Gender Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System

By the Honorable Chandlee Johnson Kuhn, Chief Judge

Family Court of the State of Delaware

 

Despite the overall decline of juvenile crime in the last decade, arrest rates for girls have been static as compared to boys. Due to the overall higher arrest rates for boys, more resources have been deployed towards their diversion from the juvenile justice system. While pockets of effective programming for girls have been created, the juvenile justice system as a whole has yet to develop consistent gender-specific strategies that will address the critical needs of adolescent girls. In 2006, Delaware drafted a Blue Print for Change through the Delaware Girls Initiative to begin to address the gender disparities and needs in our Juvenile Justice system.

 

Research on the adolescent brain provides new insights about juvenile behavior that objectively shows how female brain development differs from that of the male brain. It is increasingly clear that some juvenile justice approaches geared towards boys are not as effective for girls and in many instances such programming triggers girls' prior traumatic experiences. Read the full article on the CJJ Today Blog.

CJJ Leadership News

Executive Director Search Committee Update

By Sue Kamp, Search Committee Chair

 

The Search Committee is actively seeking applicants for the CJJ Executive Director position. The position announcement can be viewed on the CJJ website. We have been working to widely publicize the opening so that we have a strong group of applicants to consider. The initial interviews will be held in November, so now is the time to apply!

 

If you have any questions about the search process, please contact Sue Kamp at skamp@sover.net.

 

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CJJ Government and Federal Relations Alert   
 

Government Re-Opens After Shutdown, Fight for FY 14 Funding Continues

After a lengthy shutdown, the government reopened last week. The continuing resolution provides for the continuation of funding for federal programs, as reduced by sequestration, through January 15 and raises the debt ceiling until February 7, 2014.

 

null Although the continuing resolution secures federal funding through the new year, it is imperative that we ask Members of Congress to secure funding for critical juvenile justice programs and services in the FY 2014 Budget. We must call on our leaders to increase spending for juvenile justice and, at a minimum, pass a budget that reflects the amounts approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee over the summer.

 

Join CJJ and the ACT4JJ Campaign by telling your elected officials that federal juvenile justice programs need to be fully funded. Visit the JJDPA Matters Action Center, powered by SparkAction, to take action now!

 

For more information, contact Alexandra Staropoli, Esq., Associate Director of Government and Field Relations at staropoli@juvjustice.org.

 

nullIt's Not Too Late - Engage With Your Members of Congress In-District!

Last month CJJ encouraged our members and allies to schedule visits with their Members of Congress during the month of October for Youth Justice Awareness Month. To help prepare our members, we hosted an In-District Training Webinar and released an In-District Advocacy Toolkit.

 

If you were unable to schedule a visit with your Member of Congress, it's not too late! Members of Congress are frequently in district, often between Friday and Monday, and are always happy to meet with constituents. Schedule a meeting with your Member of Congress today!

 

For more information, contact Alexandra Staropoli, Esq., Associate Director of Government and Field Relations at staropoli@juvjustice.org.

 

ACT4JJ JJDPA Matters Advocacy Campaign

Last month, ACT4JJ unveiled a new website and its new JJDPA Matters campaign. One component of the campaign is the JJDPA Matters Blog Project, a sixteen week series comprised of posts written by advocacy organizations on why the JJDPA matters. Read the posts from this month on the ACT4JJ Blog or at the JJDPA Matters Action Center, powered by SparkAction.

 

If you are interested in learning more or participating in the Blog Project, contact Alexandra Staropoli, Esq., Associate Director of Government and Field Relations at staropoli@juvjustice.org.

CJJ Conference News

Southern Region Conference

null Kentucky hosted the CJJ Southern Region Conference in partnership with the National Symposium on Juvenile Services this week in Louisville. CJJ would like to thank Juvenile Justice Specialist Stephanie Reynolds and Nancy Pfaadt, Chair of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, for all the hard work and dedication they put into planning the event. We also want to thank all the members of the Kentucky SAG for hosting us in their state.

 

The theme of the conference was "Promoting Positive Mental, Physical and Social Adolescent Health," and participants attended workshops and presentations on adolescent brain development, LGBTQ youth and girls in the juvenile justice system, and the impact of emerging synthetic drugs. Attendees also received information on disproportionate minority contact (DMC) and new member SAG training.

 

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CJJ Regions and Committees   

Government Relations Committee Seeking One Core Member

CJJ's Government Relations Committee has restructured. Under the new structure, there is a core group of members granted the authority to vote. The committee still needs to fill one position, to be appointed by the National Chair. Core members are asked to attend a monthly meeting and vote when necessary. See a more detailed description of the responsibilities here. If you are interested in serving as a core member, please contact Alexandra Staropoli, Esq. at staropoli@juvjustice.org.

 

National Youth Committee

Have Your Voice Heard - Write a Letter Today!

In anticipation of CJJ's 30th Anniversary in 2014, CJJ's National Youth Committee is collecting letters from young juvenile justice advocates to President Obama, OJJDP Administrator Listenbee, and/or Members of Congress. The letters will ultimately be compiled into a single collection of letters to be sent to policymakers and government officials.

 

There are no strict parameters for the letters. They should reflect young advocates' thoughts, ideas, and hopes for the future of juvenile justice and our nation's youth. While some young advocates may choose to share their personal story about their involvement with the justice system, others may focus strictly on policy, or suggestions for youth engagement - each letter will be unique.

 

You do NOT need to be a CJJ member to submit a letter. Feel free to disseminate this request to young juvenile justice advocates outside of the CJJ network. The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2013. Please direct your submissions and questions to Alexandra Staropoli, Esq. at Staropoli@juvjustice.org.

    

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SOS Project News 

 

CJJ Releases Brief on Girls and Status Offenses

In recognition of Girls Justice Day on October 23, CJJ released Girls, Status Offenses And The Need For A Less Punitive And More Empowering Approach, the first brief in the Safety, Opportunity & Success (SOS) Project's Emerging Issues Policy Series. This brief examines the need for gender responsive services in juvenile justice and the implicit bias girls often face.  

 

CJJ Seeks Partners to Endorse, Share, and Disseminate National Standards for the Care of Youth Charged with Status Offenses

As part of its Safety, Opportunity and Success (SOS Project), CJJ will soon release its National Standards for the Care of Youth Charged with Status Offenses.  The National Standards include concrete recommendations for limiting or avoiding court involvement and eliminating secure confinement for non-criminal juvenile offenders. They were developed by CJJ in partnership with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) and a team of experts from various jurisdictions, disciplines, and perspectives, including juvenile and family court judges, child welfare and juvenile defense attorneys, juvenile corrections and detention administrators, and community-based service providers.   

 

The National Standards, along with other efforts around the country, were discussed by Judge Michael Nash in an October 14 op-ed for the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange on 'Improving the Court's Response to Status Offenders.' In his op-ed, Judge Nash cites recent research on adolescent brain development that "shows that responses such as secure detention of status offenders [are] ineffective and potentially dangerous," explaining that "rather than punish them, youth, particularly status offenders, are better served by being diverted from the justice system."  

 

CJJ is currently seeking partners to endorse, share, and/or disseminate the National Standards. If your State Advisory Group, or local or national organization would be interested in endorsing, disseminating, or learning more about the National Standards, or if you would like to receive a copy of the Standards, please contact CJJ consultant Lisa Pilnik at Lisa@childfamilypolicy.com.

 

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Models for Change Connections
Each issue, Models for Change Connections is pleased to highlight the latest news and innovations and CJJ member participation in the Models for Change Initiative of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 

 

Public-Private Partnership for Juvenile Justice Reform Webinar

On September 26, CJJ held a Models for Change webinar on Public-Private Partnership for Juvenile Justice Reform. The webinar, hosted by Juvenile Law Center's Bob Schwartz, focused on the unique partnership between Pennsylvania's State Advisory Group, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee (JJDPC), and a private foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. At a time when federal and state funds for juvenile justice were being slashed, these two organizations overcame this challenge to produce significant improvement in Pennsylvania's juvenile justice system. Bob Schwartz also spoke about how efforts like this can be imitated in other jurisdictions. The recording of this webinar is available on CJJ's YouTube channel.

 

 Public Private Partnership for Juvenile Justice Reform Webinar 

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National Juvenile Justice Network News

Why the JJDPA Matters to Youth Advocates Across the Country

NJJN's director, Sarah Bryer, recently penned an editorial for the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange that points out important state-level juvenile justice legislative reforms that have been leveraged by the JJDPA, originally enacted in 1974. Ms. Bryer further highlights ongoing issues in the juvenile justice system that require federal attention, making JJDPA reauthorization a top priority for juvenile justice advocates.

 

Massachusetts Raises the Age, Thanks to NJJN Member

On September 18, Governor Deval Patrick of Massachusetts signed a bill into law that will raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to 18. The passage of H. 1432 leaves only ten states with systems that automatically charge 17-year-olds as adults. The bill received unanimous support from the Massachusetts House and Senate. NJJN member Citizens for Juvenile Justice (CfJJ) housed the campaign to raise the age in Massachusetts for the past five years, building support through media outreach and legislative advocacy. Find out more about CfJJ's work on the bill and how the new law will affect the lives of Massachusetts' system-involved youth.

 

NJJN Member Instrumental in CA Bill to Limit Police Role in Schools

California's Youth Justice Coalition, an NJJN member, recently pushed forward A.B. 549, a bill that will require California schools to more clearly define the roles of staff and police in the school system. The bill also requires schools to prioritize funding for school counselors and administrators over school police officers.

 

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In This Issue
CJJ Leadership News
Government/Federal Relations
Conference News
CJJ Regions/Committees
SOS Project News
Models for Change
NJJN News
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Upcoming Events and Webinars

schoolSchool to Prison Pipeline: An Overview of the Issues and Potential Solutions for Reform Webinar  

CJJ will host a webinar on October 30 at 2pm ET on the School to Prison Pipeline: An Overview of the Issues and Potential Solutions for Reform. This webinar will provide an overview of the School to Prison Pipeline, specifically examining how the overuse of suspension and the presence of police in schools affect young people. The Dignity in Schools Campaign, a multi-stakeholder coalition made up of youth, parents, educators, grassroots  groups, and policy and legal advocacy groups, will present on its initiatives to challenge school pushout. Presenters will offer potential tools and solutions to address the issues raised by the pipeline through examples from their own work on the ground. Participants will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Presenters will include Kaitlin Banner of the

Advancement Project and Harold Jordan and Marsha Weissman from the Dignity in Schools Campaign. Register now!  

 

recruitmentRecruitment, Re-engagement & Re-entry: Incorporating the Youth Voice into Juvenile Justice Reform Webinar

nullAcross the United States, juvenile justice advocates are working tirelessly to challenge systems that so desperately need reform. One of the most successful reform strategies employed involves bringing all stakeholders together: judges, practitioners, service providers, young people, and families. Despite advocates' best attempts to include all stakeholders, young people and their families are too often left out of these discussions. Their absence creates a void. Not only for the specific reform work assumed in that jurisdiction, but also for the larger juvenile justice field. Young people are the next generation of juvenile justice leaders. Are we doing all we can to prepare them to carry the torch?

 

This webinar on November 21 at 3pm ET will highlight two system reform efforts from Models for Change core state Washington, that emphasize the inclusion of young people in advocacy efforts. These examples will illustrate how engaging youth in advocacy has dual outcomes: (1) Youth voice serves an effective advocacy tool and often provides a perspective that moves leaders to implement change, and (2) including young people in reform efforts empowers them to become the next generation of advocates, while also developing their leadership and life skills. Register here.  

 

familyFamily Centered Treatment Webinar

CJJ will host a webinar on Family Centered Treatment (FCT) on December 4 at 2pm ET. The Institute for Family Centered Services is the developer and flagship provider of Family Centered Treatment (FCT), an evidence-based model already in use in Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Indiana. FCT is a practitioner-developed, family preservation model of home-based treatment owned by the nonprofit Family Centered Treatment Foundation. Its origins derive from "in the trenches" efforts to find simple, practical, and common sense solutions for families faced with disruption or dissolution of their family due to both external and internal stressors and circumstances or forced removal of their children from the home due to their delinquent behavior. This family system's trauma treatment model works equally well with juvenile justice, mental, and behavioral health populations. FCT developer William Painter will serve as a presenter on the webinar. Register here.

 

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Resources

 

civilCivil Citations, Juvenile Justice, and the Impact on DMC Civil Citations, Juvenile Justice, and the Impact on DMC Webinar 

Millions of misdemeanor cases are filed in state, municipal, and juvenile courts each year. This results in overwhelming dockets, overcrowded jails and detention facilities, and creates a significant financial drain during a time of budgetary cuts. In response, a growing number of jurisdictions, including Miami-Dade County, FL have reclassified a number of misdemeanor offenses as non-criminal (civil) violations. On October 17, CJJ hosted a webinar on Civil Citations, Juvenile Justice, and the Impact on DMC. Theda Roberts and Joshua Kuch of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice spoke about the civil citation process as an effective public safety strategy that has resulted in a significant reduction in Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC). The recording of the webinar is available on the CJJ YouTube channel.  

 

usingUsing Social Media to Advance Juvenile Justice ReformUsing Social Media to Advance Juvenile Justice Reform  A Webinar from Mistakes Kids 

CJJ, NJJN, and M+R Strategic Services hosted a webinar on October 21 on Using Social Media to Advance Juvenile Justice Reform. The webinar explored how to use social media data to understand who your actual audience is and what types of content work best to reach and engage that audience. Adam Gerber, Senior Associate at M+R Strategic Services discussed how tools like Facebook Insights, the Facebook Post Manager, HootSuite, and other quick useful applications can help your page get to the next level on Facebook and Twitter. You can watch the recording of the webinar on YouTube.

 

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Share your News and Feedback with CJJ!
CJJ invites you to share news from your SAG, state or region! Please submit items by email to mercier@juvjustice.org. Inclusion and editing of submissions are subject to CJJ editorial guidelines.

The Juvenile Justice Monitor is brought to you by staff and volunteer leaders of CJJ, and supported by membership fees paid by CJJ's State Advisory Group Members, Members at Large, and Allies. We are grateful to all for their ongoing support.

 

Contact Information
Coalition for Juvenile Justice
1319 F Street NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20004
202-467-0864
info@juvjustice.org
www.juvjustice.org