Top Story: Esteemed Youth Advocate Liz Ryan Named OJJDP Administrator
New OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan assumed her position on May 16, following appointment by President Biden. The Administrator has been a staunch advocate for juvenile justice reform for more than 20 years—most recently as president and CEO of the Youth First Initiative, which she founded in 2014.
CASA/GAL Volunteers Bring Stability While Advocating for Youth in Foster Care
May is National Foster Care Month. The National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/Guardians ad Litem (GAL) Association for Children, an OJJDP grantee, oversees a national network of volunteer advocates who annually serve approximately 242,000 children, most of them living in foster care.
Department of Justice Commemorates National Missing Children’s Day
The Department of Justice observes National Missing Children’s Day each May, recognizing law enforcement professionals and private citizens whose significant contributions help recover missing children. In 2021, parents and caregivers in the United States filed 337,195 missing children reports with law enforcement agencies.
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Rates of psychological distress have increased among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic, with symptoms of depression (25 percent) and anxiety (20 percent) doubling worldwide. Numerous OJJDP-funded programs support youth mental health, including drug treatment courts for youth and families, juvenile Tribal healing to wellness courts, and youth reentry programs.
