Children are the nation�s greatest resource, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to become a productive member of society is at the heart of OJJDP�s mission. Reflecting a renewed focus on children who are most at risk of missing out on that opportunity, OJJDP�s program priorities for 2003 will be as follows:

	Child prostitution. Exploitation through prostitution and pornography is an extremely damaging form of child victimization. OJJDP is collaborating with other agencies and the law enforcement and social services communities to address this often neglected problem from three perspectives: prevention, protection, and prosecution. An important first step, a National Summit on Child Prostitution, has already been taken.
	Truancy. The effects of truancy are pervasive. The problem takes its toll not only on students (who are more likely to fall behind in school, drop out, and become involved with the juvenile justice system), but also on schools and communities. Building on lessons learned at seven truancy reduction demonstration sites, OJJDP will work to ensure that communities have access to strategies that work.
	Disproportionate minority contact (DMC). The 2002 preauthorization of the JJDP Act broadened the concept of disproportionate minority confinement to address the disproportionate numbers of minority youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system at any point�from arrest to reentry. Overrepresentation of minority youth in the system relates directly to the issue of fundamental fairness. Ultimately, the answer to this problem lies in minimizing system involvement for all youth through prevention and diversion and improving system response. OJJDP will intensify its efforts to identify and disseminate sound strategies for reducing DMC.
	Tribal youth assistance. Recognizing the unique needs of tribal communities, OJJDP will continue its direct support of delinquency prevention and juvenile justice projects that originate with the tribes themselves. These projects incorporate indigenous customs and draw on tribal strengths to help youth live up to their potential.

OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores discussed these program priorities and other topics in a 1-hour satellite videoconference aired December 11, 2002. The presentation also featured segments on research initiatives, information resources, and training and technical assistance programs.

During the discussion, Mr. Flores emphasized the importance of collaboration among the many federal agencies whose missions and programs relate to children. He noted that the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention serves as a vehicle to promote the cost-effective use of resources, avoid duplication of effort, and present a unified vision to the field. Mr. Flores also called for a new dynamic in research and evaluation at OJJDP, one that emphasizes awareness of child-focused research at other agencies, more timely dissemination of evaluation findings, and information on impact rather than processes.

Responding to a number of questions and comments from videoconference participants, Mr. Flores stressed that OJJDP wants to "listen first" before it develops and disseminates new programs, to be certain that it provides states and localities with tools they want, need, and can use.

To view "OJJDP Report: A Discussion With J. Robert Flores" on the Web, visit www.trc.eku.edu/jj/archive.html. Videotapes of the conference are available for $15 from the Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse (see contact information).

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The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, and the Office for Victims of Crime.