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OJJDP Administrator Testifies at Senate Hearing on Reauthorization
Photo of Robert L. Listenbee and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee and U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse at Tides Family Services in Pawtucket, RI, where a Senate field hearing focusing on the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was held on June 9, 2014.
On June 9, 2014, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee testified before a field hearing of the Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D–RI). The hearing, held in Pawtucket, RI, focused on the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act. The Act was last reauthorized in 2002.

Administrator Listenbee emphasized the U.S. Department of Justice’s support for reauthorization of the Act and outlined OJJDP priorities to address juvenile justice reform that include:

Administrator Listenbee provided an overview of OJJDP’s activities fostering juvenile justice reform and public safety, including support for the Attorney General's Defending Childhood Initiative, the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, the Supportive School Discipline Initiative, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, and the Community-Based Violence Prevention Program.

“We have seen some encouraging trends in the decline in youth in custody, the increase in states’ compliance with core requirements, and promising reform efforts by states,” Listenbee said. “However, there is still much to be done in a number of areas, to include children's exposure to violence; racial and ethnic disparities; and trauma and trauma-informed care. OJJDP is diligently working with our partners at the state, local, and tribal levels to address these issues. Reauthorization of the JJDP Act will strengthen the core requirements and provide the necessary funding to support these important juvenile justice programs.”

The hearing was held at Tides Family Services, an organization that provides support and services for at-risk youth and their families. Others offering testimony at the hearing included Haiganush Bedrosian, Chief Judge of the Rhode Island Family Court; Elizabeth Burke Bryant, executive director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT; and Osbert Duoa, a 20-year-old retail sales manager who is a graduate of the Tides Family Services program.

Resources:

Administrator Listenbee’s testimony is available online. To learn more about the JJDP Act, visit OJJDP's Web site.


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School Discipline Consensus Report Now Available

The  School Discipline Consensus Report: Strategies from the Field to Keep Students  Engaged in School and Out of the Juvenile Justice System.On June 3, 2014, the Council of State Governments Justice Center released The School Discipline Consensus Report: Strategies from the Field to Keep Students Engaged in School and Out of the Juvenile Justice System.

The product of the Justice Center’s School Discipline Consensus Project, the report offers a comprehensive set of policy statements and recommendations for approaches to school discipline that reduce reliance on suspensions and expulsions of students for nonviolent behavior, improve students’ academic outcomes, and promote safe and productive learning environments.

The consensus project is a key component of the Supportive School Discipline Initiative, launched by the Attorney General and Secretary of Education in July 2011. OJJDP is coordinating the Justice Department’s work on the initiative. The consensus project has been funded through a public–private partnership that includes OJJDP, The Atlantic Philanthropies, The California Endowment, the Open Society Foundations, and NoVo Foundation.

The project involved nearly 2 years of consensus group meetings with hundreds of practitioners from the fields of education, juvenile justice, behavioral health, and law enforcement; as well as state and local policymakers, researchers, advocates, students, and parents.

The consensus report’s recommendations provide a roadmap that can be adapted for use in individual localities and is applicable no matter the size, population demographics, or type of location.

Resources:

The School Discipline Consensus Report: Strategies from the Field to Keep Students Engaged in School and Out of the Juvenile Justice System is available online.

For more information about the Supportive School Discipline Initiative, read the January/February 2014 issue of OJJDP News @ a Glance.

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Final Public Hearing of Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence Held in Alaska
Task Force Holds Second Public Hearing on American Indian and Alaska Native Children's Exposure to Violence, Defending Childhood 'Protect, Heal, Thrive'

On June 11–12, 2014, a task force advisory committee appointed by Attorney General Eric Holder held its final public hearing to examine the impact of violence on children in Indian country.

Photo of Associate Attorney General Tony West at hearing.
Associate Attorney General Tony West offered keynote remarks at the final public hearing of the Advisory Committee of the Attorney General’s Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence. The hearing was held in Anchorage, AK, on June 11-12, 2014.
The hearing, which took place in Anchorage, AK, gathered expert testimony from Alaska Native leaders and tribal judges. It featured panel discussions on the prevalence of violence; recommendations in A Roadmap for Making Native America Safer, the Indian Law & Order Commission report, that are specific to Alaska Native youth; and the impact of the court system on these youth. Additional panels discussed specific ways Alaska Native children are affected by violence in their homes and communities and considered recommendations to improve how these children are identified, assessed, and treated.

The advisory committee will draw on research and information gathered through this hearing and three previous hearings to draft a final report of policy recommendations to present to Attorney General Eric Holder by late 2014.

"We have come to Alaska, where the realities of geography and jurisdiction make this a place like no other; where the challenge of reducing the exposure of children to violence is particularly unique, particularly complex, and particularly hard," said Associate Attorney General Tony West.

Associate Attorney General West cited disturbing statistics: Alaska Native women make up less than 20 percent of the state's overall population but represent nearly half of all reported rape victims. Alaska Natives are two-and-a-half times more likely to die by homicide than white Alaskans. As recently as 2011, Alaska Native children made up more than half of all maltreatment reports substantiated by Alaska’s child protective services, and more than 60 percent of all children removed from their homes.

The Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence is composed of a federal working group that includes U.S. Attorneys and officials from the U.S. Departments of the Interior and Justice and an advisory committee of experts on American Indian/Alaska Native studies, child health and trauma, victim services, and child welfare. The 13-member advisory committee is co-chaired by former U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan and Iroquois composer and singer Joanne Shenandoah. The Tribal Law and Policy Institute is providing technical assistance support for the task force.

The Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence is a key component of Attorney General Holder’s Defending Childhood Initiative to prevent and reduce children’s trauma from experiencing violence as victims or witnesses.

Previous hearings addressed domestic and community violence in Indian country; the pathway from victimization to the juvenile justice system; the roles of juvenile courts, detention facilities, and the child welfare system; gang violence; and sex trafficking. The first public hearing was held in Bismarck, ND, on December 9, 2013; the second in Scottsdale, AZ, on February 11, 2014; and the third in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on April 16–17, 2014.

Resources:

A press release about the hearing, Associate Attorney General West's remarks, and more information about the Attorney General's Defending Childhood Initiative and the Task Force on American Indian and Alaska Native Children Exposed to Violence are available online.

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OJJDP Releases Three Fiscal Year 2014 "Smart on Juvenile Justice" Solicitations

OJJDP is committed to promoting reform through the adoption of evidence-based practices and a developmentally appropriate approach to juvenile justice. The goals of this reform include enhancing public safety, reducing reoffending, expanding community-based approaches to juvenile crime, maximizing cost savings, and supporting strategic reinvestment. As part of OJJDPs Smart on Juvenile Justice strategy, in mid-June the Office released a suite of three new solicitations:

A Comprehensive Strategy to Juvenile Justice Reform. Many states have recently embraced or are in the process of pursuing comprehensive juvenile justice reforms to protect public safety, hold offenders accountable, improve youth outcomes, and reduce taxpayer burdens associated with out-of-home placement. In fiscal year 2014, through the Comprehensive Strategy to Juvenile Justice Reform and in partnership with the Pew Charitable Trusts, OJJDP will support three states—Georgia, Hawaii, and Kentucky—in implementing juvenile justice reform by providing national leadership, policy guidance, and training and technical assistance. Applications are due July 16, 2014.

Juvenile Prosecution Curriculum Development, Training, and Technical Assistance Program. The awardee will develop and operate a national center to provide technical support and training, publications and resources, and policy development and leadership opportunities to the juvenile prosecution bar. Applications are due July 14, 2014.

Technical Assistance To End Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System. This project will offer education, training and technical assistance, and other information resources to state, local, and tribal governments and private organizations on the most promising systemic and programmatic techniques for addressing disproportionate minority contact and eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system. Applications are due July 14, 2014.

Resources:

More information about the A Comprehensive Strategy to Juvenile Justice Reform; Juvenile Prosecution Curriculum Development, Training, and Technical Assistance Program; and Technical Assistance To End Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System solicitations is available online.

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Justice Department Marks National Missing Children's Day

OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee
OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee served as master of ceremonies at the U.S. Department of Justice's National Missing Children's Day commemoration on May 21, 2014. Administrator Listenbee presented the OJJDP Administrator Missing Children's Citizen Award and the Missing Children's Child Protection Award.
The U.S. Department of Justice commemorated National Missing Children's Day on May 21, 2014, at the department’s Great Hall in Washington, DC. Associate Attorney General Tony West, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children President and CEO John Ryan, and advocate for victims of human trafficking Holly Austin Smith offered remarks at the event. OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee served as master of ceremonies.

“Any child who is being trafficked or otherwise exploited deserves love and compassion—whether that exploitation happens in a big city or suburb or in a back alley or a private mansion,” said Ms. Smith. “Whether that child is poor or rich, street-smart or book-smart, homeless or from a middle class home—that child deserves victim-centered, trauma-informed services from both law enforcement and service providers, as well as compassion and understanding from the community.”

At the ceremony, Associate Attorney General West and Administrator Listenbee honored the heroic efforts of law enforcement personnel and citizens to protect children from harm. They recognized the following awardees for their extraordinary efforts to recover missing children, rescue children from abuse, and prosecute sexual predators:

Since 2000, OJJDP has hosted a national poster contest for fifth graders to raise awareness about missing children. This year, Dawson Mack, a fifth grader from Athens Intermediate School in Athens, AL, received the Missing Children’s Day Art Contest Award.

The ceremony was preceded by and concluded with performances by the Tuckahoe Elementary School Fourth Grade Chorus of Arlington, VA.

President Reagan proclaimed the first National Missing Children's Day in May 1983. Since then, family members, friends, public agencies, and private organizations have gathered throughout the country to rededicate their determination to find the nation's missing children, celebrate heartwarming stories of recovery, and honor those who can only be present in their hearts and memories.

Resources:

To access resources for parents of missing and abducted children, go to OJJDP’s Web site. Also read the "Take 25" page on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's Web site, which encourages parents, guardians, educators, and others to take 25 minutes to talk to children about safety. Information about the Office of Justice Programs' AMBER Alert Program is also available online. In recognition of National Missing Children's Day, the Office of Justice Programs' National Criminal Justice Reference Service has created a special feature, Missing Kids, which provides critical AMBER Alert information as well as access to resources for families and law enforcement.

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Upcoming Events

International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference: July 13–15, 2014

Sponsored by the Family Research Laboratory and the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, this conference to be held in Portsmouth, NH, will bring together researchers and scientist–practitioners from a broad array of disciplines for the purpose of sharing, integrating, and critiquing accumulated knowledge on family violence. Registration information is available online.

77th Annual NCJFCJ Conference: July 13–16, 2014

NCJFCJ logoThis conference, to be held in Chicago, IL, will feature a wide range of juvenile and family law topics, including child abuse and neglect, trauma, custody and visitation, judicial leadership, juvenile justice, sex trafficking of minors, family violence, drug courts, psychotropic medications, children’s testimony in court, detention alternatives, substance abuse, and the adolescent brain. Registration information is available online.

Forensic Interview Training Clinic: July 14–18, 2014

APSAC logoThis 40-hour training, offered through the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, teaches a structured narrative interview approach that emphasizes best practices based on research. The training will provide practice in interviewing skills in a supportive environment with feedback from experienced and knowledgeable professionals; guidance on explaining and defending interview techniques in court; and information on state-of-the-art forensic interview theory, research, and techniques. The event will take place in Burien, WA. Registration information is available online.

The Power of Youth Development and Recovery Supports (Webinar): July 24, 2014

This Webinar, part of the Girls Matter! Webinar series, will explore the principles of youth development, how to incorporate youth development into substance abuse and mental health services, and what girls say they need for ongoing recovery. Topics include ongoing support, including education and employment, supportive connections, and reduced stigma/discrimination. After completing this Webinar, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, participants will have a clear understanding of elements of a recovery-oriented system of care for adolescent girls. Registration information is available online.

9th Annual National School Safety Conference: July 28–August 1, 2014

To be held in Orlando, FL, this conference will offer 45 sessions led by recognized authorities in the fields of school safety, bullying, crisis management, mental health, and more. Individuals who work in school administration, school counseling, school-based policing, and college campus security should plan to attend this event. The conference is sponsored by the School Safety Advocacy Council. Registration information is available online.

Forensic Interviewing of Children Training: July 28–August 1, 2014

Sponsored by the National Children's Advocacy Center (NCAC), this comprehensive training event teaches NCAC’s Child Forensic Interview Structure, which is designed to gather the greatest amount of reliable information in a child-sensitive, developmentally appropriate, and legally defensible manner. Training methods include lecture and audience discussion, child interview practicum, review of recorded forensic interviews, experiential skill-building exercises, and participation in mock court. Training will take place at NCAC in Huntsville, AL. Future training opportunities will be held September 29–October 3 and December 8–12, 2014. Registration information is available online.

Coalition for Juvenile Justice 2014 Youth Summit: August 7–8, 2014

Coalition for Juvenile Justice logoOJJDP and the Coalition for Juvenile Justice will be cohosting this summit in Washington, DC. The summit seeks to cultivate and empower a new generation of juvenile justice advocates. Participants will engage in skill-building, networking, and leadership development; learn the basics of juvenile justice; and delve into trending topics in juvenile justice reform. The event will also feature activities to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the passage of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee will be a keynote speaker. Registration closes July 8. Registration information is available online.

17th International Gang Specialist Training Conference: August 11–13, 2014

Sponsored by the National Gang Crime Research Center, this event provides more than 100 courses in many areas of expertise designed to "train the trainer" in law enforcement, corrections, prosecution, K–12 schools, prevention, and intervention. The event, to be held in Chicago, IL, is intended for anyone affected directly or indirectly by the gang problem. More information is available online.

26th Annual Crimes Against Children Conference: August 11–14, 2014

26th Annual Crimes Against Children ConferenceThis event provides practical instruction using current information, new ideas, and successful intervention strategies to those professionals responsible for combating the many and varied forms of crimes against children. The event, sponsored by the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, is designed for law enforcement officers, child protection caseworkers, probation/parole officers, children's advocacy center staff, victim advocates, prosecutors, medical professionals, and therapists. Registration information is available online.

37th National Child Welfare, Juvenile, and Family Law Conference: August 18–20, 2014

Sponsored by the National Association of Counsel for Children, this event brings together the top leaders in child welfare, juvenile justice, and family law. Topics will include abuse and neglect, juvenile justice, family law, policy advocacy, custody law, parental rights, and practical skills. Registration information for this event, which will be held in Denver, CO, is available online.

19th International Conference & Summit on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma: September 7–10, 2014

To be held in San Diego, CA, this conference will feature tracks on at-risk youth, child maltreatment, children exposed to violence, intimate partner violence, legal and criminal justice issues, sexual assault/victimization, trauma, and more. The event is hosted by the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma at Alliant International University. This year’s conference also includes the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan research summit. Registration information is available online.

20th ISPCAN International Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect: September 14–17, 2014

ISPCAN logo Sponsored by the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), the conference, "Towards Child-Centered Societies,” will cover a range of topics, including the prevention of child abuse and neglect through early and sustained involvement, interventions and programs for children and families experiencing adversity, addressing children’s rights and participation, reforms in child protection and welfare policy, children in out-of-home care, and evidence-based practices. More information about this event, to be held in Nagoya, Japan, is available online.

2014 Women Working in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Conference: September 28–October 1, 2014

This event will address many issues faced by women working in corrections and juvenile justice, including training, education, and professional and personal growth and development. This year’s theme is "Boundaries, Barriers, Balance & Beyond." Tracks will focus on issues such as ethics, professionalism, programming, treatment services, health, wellness, leadership development, and personal growth. The event is being sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and will be held in Pittsburgh, PA. Registration information is available online.

Information Sharing Certificate Program: Fall 2014

Center for Juvenile Justice Reform logo The Information Sharing Certificate Program will be hosted in Washington, DC, this fall by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy in partnership with the Juvenile Law Center and the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps. The program, one of many certificate programs offered by CJJR, is designed to enable leaders in the juvenile justice, child welfare, education, behavioral health, and other child-serving fields to overcome information-sharing challenges that prevent the communication and coordination necessary to adequately serve youth across multiple systems of care. Registration information is available online.

Strategies for Justice: Advanced Investigation and Prosecution of Child Abuse and Exploitation: October 6–10, 2014

Hosted by the National District Attorneys Association, this multidisciplinary national training conference is designed to meet the needs of frontline child abuse professionals, including prosecutors, law enforcement, medical and mental health professionals, forensic interviewers, child advocates, and allied professionals. Topics include head trauma, high-tech crimes against children, working with male victims, working with autistic children, religious-based crimes, and human trafficking. During the conference, which will be held in Phoenix, AZ, the National Link Coalition will host its biannual Link Summit. The summit focuses on the co-occurrence of child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse with animal abuse. Registration closes September 29; more information is available online.

2014 Safe Schools Conference: October 8–9, 2014

Center for Safe Schools logo This conference is designed to provide quality professional development opportunities for school administrators, student support personnel, teachers, school nurses, school resource officers, local law enforcement, and other community partners. Participants will hear from state and national experts about the latest research in school safety and violence prevention; learn about effective program models and promising practices; and attend institutes, general sessions, workshops, and plenary sessions. The conference will be presented by the Center for Safe Schools in Grantville, PA. More information is available online.

Social Media and Child Abuse (Webinar): October 23, 2014

Midwest Regional Children's Advocacy Centers logoThis Webinar will cover the use of social media to gather evidence to corroborate child exploitation and physical abuse cases and will focus on the importance of acting quickly to secure evidence. Participants will learn about social networking sites, social media sites, and authenticating evidence discussed in cyberspace for court purposes. More information about this Webinar, which is presented by Midwest Regional Children's Advocacy Centers, is available online.

121st Annual IACP Conference and Exposition: October 25–28, 2014

Featuring forums, technical workshops, and an exhibit hall, this annual event provides law enforcement professionals with opportunities to learn more about emerging trends in law enforcement and the latest developments in technology. The event is hosted by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Registration information for the conference, to be held in Orlando, FL, is available online.

AMBER Alert Basic Forensic Missing Child Training: October 28–30, 2014

Sponsored by OJJDP, this training will provide guidance in the recognition, documentation, collection, and preservation of evidence from the time a child is reported missing until the case is resolved. Topics include preplanning, crime mapping and photography, trace evidence, fingerprints/palm prints, DNA/body fluids, composite sketching/forensic art, and electronic evidence. Hands-on, facilitated activities will allow participants to apply techniques taught in class. More information about this and other AMBER Alert training and technical assistance opportunities is available online.

Victim Advocacy Training: November 4–6, 2014

This training, which will be held in Huntsville, AL, is designed for victim advocates who are working with children and families in a Child Advocacy Center setting. The training will include foundational sessions on understanding the criminal justice system, dynamics of child abuse, crisis development and resolution, effective listening techniques, the impact of trauma on a child, the rights of crime victims, cultural considerations, and intervention strategies. Registration information for this event, which is sponsored by the National Children's Advocacy Center, is available online.

National Youth-At-Risk Conference: November 6–8, 2014

Hosted by the National Youth At-Risk Center of Georgia Southern University, this conference will train adults who serve youth to create safe, healthy, caring, and intellectually empowering educational environments. Participants will learn about current research-based educational programs and strategies that empower young people to overcome at-risk conditions that may threaten their safety, health, emotional needs, or academic achievement. Participants also will learn about proactive solutions and best practices for meeting the serious challenges faced by today’s youth: school violence, poverty, learning difficulties, underachievement, achievement gaps, illiteracy, boredom, apathy, low expectations, misbehavior, dropout, drugs, bullying, gangs, teen pregnancy, sexual harassment, racism, and dysfunctional families. Registration information for the conference, which will be held in Las Vegas, NV, is available online.

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News in Brief

OJJDP Launches New Online University Web Site

OJJDP has launched the OJJDP Online University, a central source for the juvenile justice community to easily connect with training and technical assistance. The Online University is a one-stop shop for training courses, Webinars, training and technical assistance events, and materials that OJJDP’s training and technical assistance providers and partners have developed. Key features include:

OJJDP’s Online University may be accessed at the Web site of the National Training and Technical Assistance Center.

NJJEC logoMay 2014 Issue of NJJEC Bulletin Available

The National Juvenile Justice Evaluation Center (NJJEC), funded by OJJDP, has released the May 2014 issue of its newsletter, the NJJEC Bulletin. This issue includes articles on the Justice Research Series produced by the National Institute of Justice and OJJDP, a summary of an evaluation of a behavioral health initiative for youth, a Spotlight on the SHAPE program in Memphis, TN, and NJJEC activities and upcoming events.

OJJDP-Supported National Gang Center Creates Video on Risk Factors for Gang Involvement

National Gang  Center logoThe National Gang Center has released a new video describing the individual, family, school, peer-group, and community risk factors that are associated with joining a gang. The video, “Why Youth Join Gangs,” includes contributions from researchers, practitioners, and young people who were previously involved in gangs. Supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and OJJDP, the National Gang Center contributes to reductions in gang-related crime and violence by providing national leadership; information to policymakers and researchers; and resources, training, and technical assistance to practitioners nationwide.

Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention Makes Available New Tools for Justice-Involved Youth

Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention logoYouth in juvenile justice residential facilities have nearly three times the rate of suicide compared with their peers in the general population. The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Youth in Contact With the Juvenile Justice System Task Force, co-led by OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee, has released a set of comprehensive suicide prevention resources to help administrators and staff who work with youth involved in the juvenile justice system. The resources include a fact sheet series on juvenile suicide; a literature review of research on suicidal ideation and behavior; information on screening and assessment for suicide prevention; a guide for suicide prevention protocols; and information on mental health and juvenile justice systems collaboration.

OJJDP and ACF To Examine Data on Dual-System Involved Youth

Administration for Children and Families On May 29, 2014, OJJDP announced plans for a collaborative research effort with the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to examine the prevalence of dual-system involved youth. In fiscal year 2015, OJJDP will solicit proposals to investigate how state and local jurisdictions’ juvenile justice and child welfare data can be used to develop estimates of how many youth are involved in both systems. This project will identify jurisdictions in which juvenile justice and child welfare systems are currently sharing information for services and treatment. Findings will inform the development of strategies to improve data capacity and data sharing at the state and local levels. OJJDP’s four-part Webinar series, “Improving Outcomes for Multi-System Involved Youth Who Cross Over Between Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice,” may be accessed online.

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day graphicOJJDP Observes National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

On May 8, 2014, OJJDP joined the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in observance of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. This annual event provides an opportunity for communities, federal programs, and organizations to educate their constituents, through events and activities, about the impact of positive mental health on a child's healthy development from birth.

On May 6, OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee offered remarks at the Awareness Day launch event. Mr. Listenbee highlighted the need for developmental approaches to addressing the needs of youth in the juvenile justice system. “The harsh, punitive practices too often found in the juvenile justice system do not meet the developmental needs of youth,” he said.

OJJDP Recognizes National Foster Care Month

OJJDP  Recognizes National Foster Care MonthOn April 30, 2014, President Obama issued a proclamation recognizing May as National Foster Care Month, continuing a national observance that began in 1988. Almost 400,000 children and youth are in foster care today. This month-long observance, supported by the Children's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and partners, honors the role of foster families, child welfare professionals, teachers, and other individuals in finding permanent homes for children and youth in foster care.

In recognition of National Foster Care Month, OJJDP has re-released its four-part Webinar series “Improving Outcomes for Multi-System Involved Youth Who Cross Over Between Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice.”

OVC Video Series Web siteOVC Video Series Addresses Children’s Exposure to Violence

The Office for Victims of Crime has released four videos in the online series Through Our Eyes: Children, Violence, and Trauma. The series of eight videos addresses the needs of children exposed to violence and victimization. The new videos highlight intervention in schools, innovations in juvenile justice, addressing violence in the home, and a call to action. The other four videos in the series focus on public awareness, evidence-based treatment, child advocacy strategies, and community-based approaches. Resource guides and posters are also available.

Juvenile Drug Court Publications Available From NCJFCJ

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges logoThe National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) has released new publications to help guide the field toward recommended practice and to assist juvenile drug court professionals with implementation efforts. Developed under OJJDP’s National Juvenile Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance Project, the guides cover a range of topics: Starting a Juvenile Court: A Planning Guide; 7 Easy Steps to Improving Your Juvenile Drug Court; Engaging Schools in the Juvenile Drug Court: Promising Strategies From the Field; and Practical Tips to Help Juvenile Drug Court Teams Implement the 16 Strategies in Practice. To read and download these and other OJJDP-funded publications, visit NCJFCJ’s Web site.

Cover of Just Learning: The Imperative to Transform Juvenile Justice Systems into Effective Educational SystemsJuvenile Justice Education Programs Are Substandard, SEF Study Finds

With awareness growing that schools are disciplining and suspending minority students at high rates, a report released by the Southern Education Foundation (SEF) provides powerful evidence that young people placed in the juvenile justice system—predominantly minority males incarcerated for minor offenses—are receiving a substandard education.

The report, Just Learning: The Imperative to Transform Juvenile Justice Systems into Effective Educational Systems, argues that education for the 70,000 students in custody on any given day is setting them even further back. Drawing on the most recently available data from the nation's largest database on teaching and learning in juvenile justice systems, the report finds that the quality of learning programs for incarcerated youth has had "little positive, enduring impact on the educational achievement of most children and youth in state custody."

Report Examines State-Level Drug Law Reforms Since 2009

VERA Institute of JusticeIn Drug War Détente? A Review of State-level Drug Law Reform, 2009–2013, the Vera Institute of Justice’s Center on Sentencing and Corrections examines the nearly 50 bills that have been passed by more than 30 states to reform laws pertaining to mandatory penalties, drug sentencing schemes, early release mechanisms, community-based sanctions, and collateral consequences. By providing concise summaries of representative legislation in each area, the review aims to be a practical guide for policymakers in other states and the federal government looking to enact similar reforms.

NCCD Releases Series of Reports on Youth Deincarceration

NCCD logoThe National Council on Crime & Delinquency (NCCD) has produced a series of reports developed from its national study on deincarceration. The study involved interviews with key stakeholders, listening sessions in five states, a national convening of juvenile justice leaders, and the compilation and analysis of county-level data from five jurisdictions. States across the country have seen dramatic reductions in the number of youth incarcerated in detention halls, camps, and state secure facilities. Despite an overall reduction of incarcerated youth, much higher percentages of youth of color remain under formal supervision and in state secure facilities.


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New Publications

All OJJDP publications may be viewed and downloaded on the publications section of the OJJDP Web site. Print publications may be ordered online at the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) Web site.

Cover of Behavioral Health Problems, Treatment, and Outcomes in  Serious Adolescent OffendersBehavioral Health Problems, Treatment, and Outcomes in Serious Adolescent Offenders (Bulletin)
Pathways to Desistance series
NCJ 242440

This bulletin compares outcomes for young offenders who were diagnosed with behavioral health and substance use disorders with those who were not. The findings indicate that young offenders diagnosed with substance use disorders were at greater risk of reoffending, but those diagnosed with other behavioral health disorders were not. It also examines the availability of treatment for these young offenders in institutions and in the community after release.

To view and download this publication, visit the NCJRS Web site.


Cover of Criminal Career PatternsCriminal Career Patterns (Bulletin)
Justice Research Series
NCJ 242545

Many studies have documented the prevalence of offending in criminal careers; most indicate that prevalence peaks in the teenage years and declines in the early 20s. This bulletin discusses the criminal careers of offenders, specifically the links between offending patterns in adolescence and in adulthood.

To view and download this publication, visit the NCJRS Web site.



Explanations for Offending (Bulletin)
OJJDP-NIJ Bulletin Justice ResearchJustice Research Series
NCJ 243975

For some who began their criminal careers during adolescence, offending continues and escalates; for others, crime involvement wanes; and yet others only become seriously involved in crime later in their transition to adulthood. This bulletin describes five perspectives that explain these patterns of offending.

To view and download this publication, visit the NCJRS Web site.


Prediction and Risk/Needs Assessment (Bulletin)
OJJDP-NIJ Bulletin Justice ResearchJustice Research Series
NCJ 243976

This bulletin discusses the ability to predict whether a young adult will commit crimes based on information available from his or her juvenile years and reviews assessment tools used to make these predictions.

To view and download this publication, visit the NCJRS Web site.


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News From the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice

Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice logoThe Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) held a Webinar-facilitated meeting on April 28, 2014. The meeting included an introduction of new primary and alternate members of FACJJ; a presentation on the history of FACJJ and the role of primary and alternate members; and a discussion of the publication and dissemination plan for the 2013 FACJJ recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the OJJDP Administrator in four key areas: evidence-based practices, youth engagement, school discipline, and disproportionate minority contact.

The minutes of the meeting may be accessed online.

FACJJ’s annual in-person meeting is currently scheduled for October 20–21, 2014. Meeting details will be provided to the public closer to the date of the meeting.

FACJJ meetings are open to the public; anyone may register to attend and observe. Additional information is available on the committee's Web site.

The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice is a consultative body established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended (Section 223), and is supported by OJJDP. Composed of members of state advisory groups on juvenile justice, the committee advises the President and Congress on matters related to juvenile justice, evaluates the progress and accomplishments of juvenile justice activities and projects, and advises the OJJDP Administrator on the work of OJJDP.

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