Justice Department Awards Presented at National Strategy Conference

On May 19, 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder honored 52 prosecutors, law enforcement partners, and victim advocates for their leadership protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. The awards were presented at the 2011 National Strategy Conference on Combating Child Exploitation in San Jose, CA.

"Through their work in urban, rural, and tribal communities—and through cutting-edge online efforts—these individuals are advancing bold, innovative, and collaborative solutions to keep our children safe from all forms of exploitation and abuse," said Attorney General Holder. "By focusing on prevention and intervention, as well as proven enforcement and prosecution strategies, these award recipients are strengthening our ability to protect children in need and at risk, and to bring offenders to justice."

The national strategy conference is organized jointly by the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ's) Project Safe Childhood and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force program. This year's conference included more than 150 lecture sessions and more than 70 interactive computer lab workshops. Training was provided to Project Safe Childhood coalitions; ICAC task forces; and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the areas of investigation, forensics, prosecution, community outreach, and capacity building.

SAMHSA Releases School Toolkit for Suicide Prevention

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Suicide Prevention Resource Center has released "After a Suicide: A Toolkit for Schools." The toolkit describes common warning signs and causes of suicide, provides best practices on suicide prevention in schools, and provides information about how a school should respond when a suicide has occurred. Topics include crisis response, helping students cope, working with the community, social media, bringing in outside help, and more. The toolkit is free and available online.

Course Offered on Law Enforcement Interactions With Adolescent Girls

On May 5–6, 2011, in Dallas, TX, law enforcement officers from 34 jurisdictions and 5 states participated in Law Enforcement Responses to Adolescent Girls, a course developed by OJJDP in partnership with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). Through presentations, group discussions, and exercises, the training assists law enforcement officers in learning strategies to promote more positive interactions with adolescent girls who may be at risk of, or involved in, delinquency. The course examines common issues that arise in policing situations involving girls, current trends in girls' behavior, and pathways to delinquency in girls. The course also focuses on the interpretation of adolescent girls' behavior, communication strategies, the de-escalation of potential crisis situations, proactive engagement with at-risk girls, and the effective use of community resources.

Law Enforcement Responses to Adolescent Girls is one of several trainings offered by IACP through OJJDP's Juvenile Justice Training and Technical Assistance Project. The other courses include Juvenile Interview and Interrogation Techniques, Partnerships for Safe Schools, Reclaiming Our Youth Through Tribal Collaboration, and the Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program.

OJJDP Presents at Center for Native American Youth's Resource Roundtable

On May 6, 2011, in Washington, DC, the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute hosted a resource roundtable for federal agencies as part of its work to create a comprehensive resource guide on programs, activities, grants, and scholarships for American Indian youth. The roundtable was composed of presenters from the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Justice, including the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Presentations were followed by a discussion period with representatives from the presenting agencies, Center for Native American Youth board members, and national Indian organizations. OJJDP highlighted its Tribal Youth Program and provided information on its grants, publications, and other resources for working with tribal youth.

The center was launched in February 2011 by former Senator Byron Dorgan to combat the challenges facing American Indian youth.

Bureau of Justice Assistance Launches Podcast on Saving Drug-Endangered Children

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) has released "Saving Drug-Endangered Children: An Interview With Commander Lori Moriarty," a two-part podcast featuring interviews with Commander Lori Moriarty of the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children. Part 1 discusses the role law enforcement plays in cases involving drug-endangered children. Part 2 provides information about resources for state, local, and tribal communities that would like to be more involved in assisting drug-endangered children. The podcasts are available on the BJA Web site. Click on "Justice Matters" in the navigation bar on the left.