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April/May 2008
CJJ Leadership News
- Message from Robin Jenkins, CJJ 2008 National Chair
- CJJ’s 25th Anniversary in 2009!
CJJ Annual Spring Conference and Council of SAGs’ Meeting
- CJJ Annual Spring Conference and Hill Day – April 25-29 – Registration Extended! Overflow Hotel Added!
- CJJ Council of SAGs’ Meeting, April 27, 2008
CJJ Government Relations Alert
- Campaign to Reauthorize the JJDPA Now More Than 300 Voices Strong
- Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) Introduces Legislation to Reform Federal Juvenile Justice Policy
- Promising Federal Juvenile Justice Appropriations Cycle Gets Underway in Congress
- CJJ Launches Its New Topical Training Program: First Training on the Federal Appropriations Process
- Taking CJJ Hill Day to the Next Level
New CJJ Publication on SAG Leadership in Detention Reform
- CJJ’s Practice Guide for SAGs Interested in Advancing Detention Reform Available Soon!
New Online Resource for SAGs – Coming Soon!
- Launch of CJJ SAG Source™ Coming in May!
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
- NJJN Welcomes New Member and New Partners
- NJJN Hires New Program and Policy Associate
- Nominate a “Mother of Distinction” for NJJN Co-Sponsored Award
Resources and Information of Note
- New Certificate Programs with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute
- NJDC Announces Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network – Applications due June 6
- NCCD Releases Brief on Native American Youth and the Juvenile Justice System
- NIC Hosts Blog for Juvenile Justice Professionals
- In the News
- Upcoming Conferences and Trainings
CJJ Leadership News
Message from Robin Jenkins, CJJ 2008 National Chair
“Pessimism as pathogen” – this phrase has been on my mind for a while now. Pathogens are viral or bacterium agents that make things sick. In our social world, I consider pessimism and frustration caused by a lack of positive movement on issues or problems to be pathogenic – causing organizations to come unglued. Pessimism foments irritability, apathy and disengagement. As such, pessimism is a social pathogen that degrades and demoralizes groups.
So how is this related to juvenile justice? Take, for example, the problems that states/territories deal with as a result of drastically reduced federal financial support while compliance requirements increase; or think about our progress around DMC; or, consider the contrasting situation we currently have between advocacy/education work on the Hill, and the snail’s pace of information flow through OJJDP. Fragmentation and erosion of federal support, while expectations for improving state juvenile justice systems increase, can generate significant pessimism – creating doubts about federal commitment to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention as sound social policy.
So what are we to do? Fold our tents and go home? Spend our time around coffee cups, lamenting our troubles? I say NO!
Ten years of my own affiliation with the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) and the passionate, smart, caring folks who do this kind of work make me shun pessimism and seek out solutions we can build together. You (the membership) have taught me that no matter how limited the federal support is, no matter how rule-bound we are, groups of committed people with positive and caring values can improve the lives of vulnerable youth. I’ve seen it happen over and over again, and I’m seeing it again now. I see our members, through their involvement with CJJ, as well as with other organizations, such as the National Juvenile Justice Network, the Act-4-Juvenile Justice Campaign, the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative and Models for Change, working really hard to advance key ideas and reforms.
Now I beseech you – don’t let pessimism become your germ. Don’t let it foil your energy and fall victim to an attitude that these problems are bigger than we are. They are not! CJJ and SAG members, and our juvenile justice allies across the country, can and do make tangible, positive differences in the “system” each day. But what makes the largest difference is our working together to educate Congress, our governors, our state legislators and others on effective practices that hold youth accountable for their behaviors, restore damages to victims, and build competencies in youth to prevent future problems.
With this idea of working together in mind, I truly hope you’re able to join us April 25-29 in Washington, D.C., for CJJ’s Annual Spring Conference (see below). But, if you cannot, please stay involved at your state and local levels with CJJ. CJJ is your collective voice, your spirit of collaboration – and you are us.
Together, Congress listens to us when we interact with members as informed advocates. All you need to do is go back through history and see the impact that CJJ and SAGs have had on the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (remember DMC in 1988?).
Take heed to our call – let’s make contagious collaboration and hope our positive pathogens. Let’s infect our states and territories with the highest degree of support for strong, empirically support juvenile justice policies – and then let’s get them funded with federal, state and local dollars in sensible ways that achieve our policy goals. In physical health, success comes from the combination of exercise, positive diet and solid prevention. Isn’t that same prescription useful for CJJ – exercising our wisdom in working together, dieting on research and empirically supported practices, and relying on science-driven prevention to strengthen us at every program and policy level?
In closing, I wish the happiest and healthiest of spring months for you and your families.
We remain at your service,
Robin Jenkins
2008 National Chair
CJJ’s 25th Anniversary in 2009!
Message from Nancy Gannon Hornberger, CJJ Executive Director
In 1984, through the wisdom of SAG leaders, whose names you may recall (Ann Linden Carlisle, Allen Button, Farrell Lines, James Oleson, Lynn Lyss, Harry Shooshan, Catherine Reiss Sloan, Karen Stickney, and many others), the National Coalition of State Juvenile Justice Advisory Groups was formed and incorporated as an independent nonprofit organization. A few years later, the name was modified to today’s Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ).
For nearly 25 years, CJJ’s mission has been clear and consistent. Here is what the leaders of CJJ cited in the 1984 Articles of Incorporation—language which speaks to CJJ’s mission still, today:
- To provide a national forum for the promotion and advancement of programs, practices, activities and procedures which contribute to the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency and the improvement of the juvenile justice system;
- To provide a mechanism for State Advisory Groups to share information among themselves and to assist in the development of national policy and legislation in juvenile justice matters pertaining to the states;
- To coordinate efforts with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), as well as other organizations and groups involved in juvenile justice; and
- To provide information to the general public on issues related to juvenile justice.
Rev. Jim Kirk, Chair of the Maryland SAG and Northeast Region Chair, in his additional capacity as Chair of the CJJ Fund Raising Committee, and I invite you to get involved in recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice. The CJJ Fund Raising Committee will take the lead to develop a CJJ 25th Anniversary Album, to celebrate the accomplishments of past and current SAG members and leaders, and other CJJ members, who have so substantially contributed to setting federal policy, advancing juvenile justice improvements in the states, serving court-involved children, youth, and families, and enhancing community well being, over the years. Jim and members of the Fund Raising Committee are seeking individual contributions to the CJJ Circle of Leaders Fund in 2008, in part, to support the development of a 25th Anniversary Album for CJJ.
Much of CJJ’s illustrious 25-year history will be captured in the stories you and your colleagues tell us about your involvement in CJJ. Therefore, CJJ will contract with a writer/editor and a photographer to help to create the CJJ 25th Anniversary Album. It is our hope to have this project underway by July 1 and completed by December 15, 2008.
There are many ways to contribute to the CJJ 25th Anniversary Album, including:
- Sharing your testimonials that capture significant pieces of CJJ’s history;
- Referring us to others who may have noteworthy testimonials to share;
- Assisting us to identify pro bono sources of help to write, edit, design or market the CJJ 25th Anniversary Album;
- Making personal contributions to the CJJ Circle of Leaders Fund—the organization’s individual contributions campaign, established in 2002, which will help underwrite the development and printing of the 25th Anniversary Album.
For more information or to make a contribution of any sort, please feel free to contact CJJ Fund Raising Committee Chair, Rev. Jim Kirk at kirkjgk@comcast.net, or CJJ Executive Director Nancy Gannon Hornberger at nancy@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 111.
CJJ Annual Spring Conference and Council of SAGs’ Meeting
CJJ Annual Spring Conference and Hill Day – April 25-29 – Registration Extended! Overflow Hotel Added!
Please plan to join CJJ members and friends for five information-packed days at the 2008 CJJ Annual Spring Conference and Hill Day, April 25-29. This year’s conference, entitled, “Investing in Our Children: Emerging Reforms in Juvenile Justice,” features:
- Special pre-conference seminars and a Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Forum, hosted by CJJ’s Government Relations Committee, on Friday, April 25;
- A full slate of business and committee meetings on Saturday, April 26;
- A “Night at Nationals Park” on the evening of April 26;
- The CJJ Council of SAGs’ Meeting on Sunday morning, April 27;
- The official conference Opening Plenary and Luncheon on Sunday afternoon, followed by concurrent sessions and the CJJ Executive Board Awards Reception, Sunday evening;
- A full slate of workshops on Monday, April 28; and
- CJJ’s Hill Day, on Tuesday, April 29.
The conference closes Monday afternoon with a Congressional Policy Forum featuring Capitol Hill staff, and April 29 is reserved for your Hill visits.
For a complete listing of agenda items or to access a sample packet of materials to use in preparation for Hill visits, please visit the CJJ website at www.juvjustice.org/conference_5.html.
Please note that CJJ’s registration is extended for one additional week, through Friday, April 11, 2008. Here’s how to register prior to the April 11 deadline:
Visit www.cvent.com, click on the “RSVP for Event” tab, and enter event code 4VNUJ9Y8DQH. Please remember to check the appropriate box if you plan to attend the Nationals Game.
You may also contact CJJ at info@juvjustice.org or 202-467-0864, ext. 122, for off-line registration.
The conference will be held at the Renaissance M Street Hotel (information below):
Renaissance M Street Hotel
1143 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-775-0800 or 1-888-803-1298
www.renaissancemstreethotel.com
The room block at the Renaissance M Street Hotel is now full. CJJ has secured a block of overflow rooms at the Washington Marriott:
Washington Marriott
1221 22nd Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
202-872-1500 or 1-800-393-3053
The Marriott is one block from the conference site. When making reservations, please be sure to ask for the “Coalition for Juvenile Justice” room block rate of $195.00 per night for a single/double. This rate is only available through April 11, 2008.
For more information, visit www.juvjustice.org/conference_5.html or contact Mark Ferrante at ferrante@juvjustice.org or 202-467-0864, ext. 102.
CJJ Council of SAGs’ Meeting, April 27, 2008
Dear SAG Chairs and Chair-Designees Serving on the CJJ Council of SAGs:
The CJJ Executive Board is very pleased that so many states will be well represented at the upcoming meeting on Sunday, April 27, 2008, from 8-11 a.m., in Washington, D.C. As you know, it is our hope that Chairs and Chair-designees will also stay to attend the CJJ Annual Spring Conference (see details above), which immediately follows the Council Meeting.
In addition, we hope that you and your fellow SAG members and state JJDPA staff are taking advantage of the excellent work and state-level engagement led by CJJ members and staff since our last Council Meeting held in October in Denver. The CJJ e-Monitor newsletter, sent monthly via e-mail, and the CJJ Web site (www.juvjustice.org) continue to be ready sources of information.
The CJJ Government Relations Committee and SAG liaisons, as well as allied CJJ and SAG members, have created a strong, significant presence on Capitol Hill and are advancing many positive approaches to juvenile justice appropriations, JJDPA reauthorization and other important federal policy matters. CJJ is launching new projects in response to member requests and suggestions, including one addressing JJDPA Compliance Challenges and Successes, as well as a new online resource center, CJJ SAG Source™. Both will be highlighted at the Council Meeting.
All SAG Chairs or Chair-Designees, among states in good standing as members of CJJ, are eligible to vote at the Council Meeting. The following are a few highlights of the important matters and exciting news on the agenda that require your input on behalf of your State Advisory Group:
- Election of the CJJ National Youth Chair;
- A formal CJJ position on consideration of age as a mitigating factor in sentencing;
- A formal CJJ position on the JJDPA Reauthorization, including some strengthening recommendations from CJJ, obtained from a wide array of collaboration efforts across the states and territories.
The SAGs, along with our individual members at large and organizational allies, form the lifeline of CJJ and genuinely link together national policy and system reform initiatives with state and local reforms, services, supports—all designed to benefit children, youth and families who come into contact with the courts, as well as the health of their communities. We are very happy to count 45 current member SAGs (to date) of CJJ.
If you should have any questions about the status of your SAG membership or your SAG’s eligibility to have a voting representative at the Council Meeting, please contact CJJ Executive Director Nancy Gannon Hornberger, at 202-467-0864, ext 111, and nancy@juvjustice.org.
CJJ Government Relations Alert
Campaign to Reauthorize the JJDPA Now More Than 300 Voices Strong
Act 4 Juvenile Justice, the nationwide campaign to reauthorize the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act (JJDPA), has reached an important milestone: more than 300 international, national, state and local organizations have signed on in support of the JJDPA Statement of Principles for Reauthorization of the JJDPA. The newest signatories include Human Rights Watch, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of Social Workers and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
At the same time, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, has publicly stated his intentions to push Congress to Reauthorize the JJDPA in the upcoming weeks.
Such progress and momentum toward JJDPA Reauthorization is due to the timely and enthusiastic support of our members, friends and partners. Every e-mail, every letter, every phone call and every visit brings us closer to our goals.
If your SAG or organization has not joined the mighty chorus of JJDPA supporters by signing on to the JJDPA Statement of Principles, it is not too late to do so. Simply e-mail the full organization name, address, contact person and title to info@juvjustice.org. For more information about the Statement of Principles and the Act-4-JJ Campaign, please see the Web site at www.act4jj.org
We anticipate that legislation reauthorizing the JJDPA will be drafted and introduced in the upcoming weeks, so stay tuned and get ready to turn up the volume on effective juvenile justice reform!
Rep. Christopher Murphy (D-CT) Introduces Legislation to Reform Federal Juvenile Justice Policy
Building on recent juvenile justice reform successes in his home state of Connecticut, on March 5, 2008, Representative Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced H.R. 5537, the Juvenile Justice Improvement Act of 2008, which would amend certain provisions of the JJDPA. In summary, the bill:
- Amends the “adult inmate” definition to allow states to continue to serve certain youth convicted as adults within juvenile facilities;
- Extends the Sight and Sound Separation and Jail Removal JJDPA core protections to all pre-adjudicated youth under the age of 18;
- Amends State Plan requirements to include language to encourage states to use Title II funds to support steps to eliminate dangerous confinement practices and increase the use of effective behavior management techniques;
- Adds an incentive grants program to both JJDPA Title II and Title V for certain evidenced-based practices; and
- Eliminates exceptions to the DSO (Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders) JJDPA core requirement.
H.R. 5537 is not an official JJDPA Reauthorization draft. H.R. 5537, however, affirms an interest among members of Congress to craft and support federal legislation to protect youth, reduce juvenile delinquency and improve community safety. CJJ is tracking H.R. 5537 to see how it impacts and informs federal juvenile justice reform efforts.
To view the bill in its entirety, go to http://thomas.loc.gov/home/gpoxmlc110/h5537_ih.xml.
Promising Federal Juvenile Justice Appropriations Cycle Gets Underway in Congress
The Fiscal Year 2009 federal juvenile justice appropriations cycle is off to a promising start, despite the President’s Budget Proposal and anticipated challenges related to the election year.
On March 14, 2008, the U.S. Senate adopted a budget resolution, which includes an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) to restore $170 million to juvenile justice programs that have been chronically underfunded for the last several years. To the extent these additional federal dollars are appropriated for FY 2009, they will go a long way in supporting the states and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in advancing improvements to state juvenile justice systems and promoting better outcomes for children, youth and families. Many thanks to our members and friends in Wisconsin, and throughout the nation, for the wonderful job done to educate Senator Kohl and to support him in his efforts to champion federal juvenile justice funding.
As another promising sign, on April 7, the Chairs and Ranking Members of both the Senate and House Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies will co-host a series of juvenile justice appropriations briefings with the National Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition, which CJJ co-chairs.
The juvenile justice appropriations briefings will feature testimony from four adult/youth teams from Alabama, Maryland, New Jersey and West Virginia. Many thanks to Janet Marquez in Maryland, Kylthia Roberts in New Jersey and Jason Carlson in West Virginia, for their expert assistance in helping CJJ to identify strong programs and witnesses from their states who are able and willing to speak to the specific importance of Title II, Title V and JABG funding.
CJJ Launches Its New Topical Training Program: First Training on the Federal Appropriations Process
In direct response to member requests, CJJ has successfully launched a new topical training series for 2008 designed to tap into the interests and expertise of CJJ members, and advance professional development.
The first training, “The Federal Appropriations Process,” is designed to help CJJ members and other juvenile justice professionals better understand and impact federal juvenile justice funding. More than 50 CJJ members and allies participated in two conference calls to receive the training, and to gain better understanding of the federal appropriations process and how they can impact that process to increase and preserve crucial juvenile justice funding. The conference calls were complemented by a PowerPoint slide program, housed on the CJJ Web site at www.juvjustice.org/appropriations_introduction.html.
Additional conference call based Topical Trainings are currently in the works and will be announced shortly.
For more information about with the CJJ Training on the Federal Appropriation Process or the CJJ Topical Training Program, please contact CJJ Director of Leadership and Training, Mark Ferrante (ferrante@juvjustice.org or 202-467-0864, ext. 102) or CJJ Deputy Executive Director, Tara Andrews (andrews@juvjustice.org or 202-467-0864, ext. 109).
Taking CJJ Hill Day to the Next Level
CJJ’s Annual Spring Conference, “Investing in Our Children: Emerging Reforms in Juvenile Justice,” is fast approaching, and we are putting the final touches on what promises to be an informative and invigorating program (see above).
As in past years, the CJJ Government Relations Committee (GRC) is encouraging all conference attendees to take advantage of CJJ Hill Day 2008, scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, to meet with members of your congressional delegations and share information about your state’s juvenile justice needs and accomplishments.
In advance of the conference, we have prepared a Hill Day Member Visit Packet to assist conference attendees in scheduling appointments with your state’s Congressional Delegation. For your convenience, the entire member Visit packet has been posted on CJJ’s Web site at www.juvjustice.org/conference_5.html. A second packet which focuses on how to have a successful Member Visit will be published by April 9.
To optimize the conference attendees’ presence in Washington, D.C., the GRC is organizing several events designed to further engage and educate conference attendees and provide inspiration for Hill Day visits.
To help kick-off the conference, on Friday, April 25 from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m., the GRC will host a Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) Forum where conference attendees can openly focus on and discuss the details and opportunities of the JJDPA Reauthorization. Then, on Saturday, April 26 from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m., conference attendees are invited to join members of the GRC for our annual Hill Day Training, which this year will feature Congressional staff as guest trainers.
Finally, on Monday, April 28 from 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., the GRC will host a Congressional Policy Forum where conference attendees will have the opportunity to dialogue with staffers from key Congressional offices about juvenile justice-related issues currently under consideration, including reauthorization of the JJDPA, federal juvenile justice funding and prevention/intervention strategies for youth at risk of gang involvement.
The CJJ GRC is taking Hill Day to the next level, and we invite you to come along! Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you very soon in Washington, D.C.!
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If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the CJJ Government Relations Committee or Government Relations Program, please contact committee chair Ken Schatz (kschatz@ci.burlington.vt.us), or CJJ deputy executive director Tara Andrews (andrews@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 109).
New CJJ Publication on SAG Leadership in Detention Reform
CJJ’s Practice Guide for SAGs Interested in Advancing Detention Reform Available Soon!
With the generous support of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, CJJ will release its practice guide for SAGs interested in learning about effective leadership with the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) later this month at the CJJ Annual Spring Conference, April 25-29 (see above). The guide features prominent examples of SAG-supported work with JDAI at the state and local level and demonstrates the effectiveness of detention reform efforts in supporting compliance with JJDPA core protections and improving juvenile justice systems.
The practice guide also serves as the basis for a CJJ peer-to-peer training program to be unveiled this fall. More information on the training program and how states and SAGs may become involved, will be available in future e-Monitor editions.
Copies of the guide will be available at no cost during the upcoming CJJ conference and on-line following the conference. For more information on the guide, how to obtain copies, or CJJ’s multi-year juvenile detention reform project, please contact Mark Ferrante at ferrante@juvjustice.org.
New Online Resource for SAGs – Coming Soon!
Launch of CJJ SAG Source™ Coming in May!
Mark your calendars for May 22 when the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) will launch CJJ SAG Source™, an online resource for SAG members and state staff. The site, accessed through the CJJ home page (www.juvjustice.org), will house a virtual library of resources regarding exemplary work by the nation’s SAGs.
Initially featured will be the efforts of several states regarding:
- SAG Governance and Structure
- SAG Conferences and Trainings
- State Annual Reports
- State Three-Year Plans
- SAG-Supported Requests for Proposals
- State Compliance Reports
In addition, over the next several months, priority sections will be added to highlight SAG efforts in DMC, mental health, detention reform, evidence-based programming, prevention, re-entry/aftercare, adolescent development, and youth engagement. Look for additional information on the launch of CJJ SAG Source™ – coming soon!
For more information, contact Mark Ferrante (ferrante@juvjustice.org) or Kitty McCarthy (mccarthy@juvjustice.org).
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
NJJN Welcomes New Member and New Partners
The National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) is pleased to welcome its newest member: Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Arkansas Advocates has a long history of advocating on behalf of youth who have come into conflict with the law in Arkansas, helping to reform the juvenile justice system in 1989, working to pass a law that requires police to notify parents when children are arrested, and setting competency standards for youth in court. Arkansas Advocates is currently working intensively on conditions of confinement and the promotion of community based alternatives. Learn more at www.aradvocates.org.
NJJN is also pleased to announce two new partners. Partners are juvenile justice reform organizations that support NJJN’s mission but cannot be members either because their reform work is more national in its scope or because their charter bars them from joining membership organizations. NJJN’s newest partners are:
- National Center for Youth Law in Oakland, California
- Columbia Legal Services in Seattle, Washington
For a full list of NJJN partners, visit: http://njjn.org/about_parters.html.
NJJN Hires New Program and Policy Associate
The National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) is excited to announce the hiring of Annie Balck, Program and Policy Associate. Annie comes to NJJN with experience in the child welfare system as a staff attorney at the Children’s Law Center in Washington, D.C., and as a student attorney at the Juvenile Rights Advocacy Project through Boston College Law School. She has also worked at DC’s protection and advocacy agency and as a development director for a theater company. Annie can be reached at balck@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 124.
Nominate a “Mother of Distinction” for NJJN Co-Sponsored Award
The National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) and the Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) are sponsoring the 2nd Annual “Mother of Distinction Award” for mothers working on justice reform. Nominations are accepted from NJJN and CFYJ members for mothers with whom they work. The award is intended as an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of mothers who can be relied upon to testify on justice issues, talk to legislators and bring other family members to the table. Each award winner will receive an award and prize, to be determined. Nominations are due by April 18, 2008. Contact Sarah Bryer at bryer@juvjustice.org for a nominations form.
Resources and Information of Note
New Certificate Programs with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute
CJJ encourages applications to ground-breaking programs being offered by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR), directed by Shay Bilchik. The Center is launching two certificate programs: one for individuals and another for multi-jurisdictional teams. Both certificate programs are designed to provide intensive study for leaders responsible for policy development and implementation in their jurisdictions, in order to enhance systems integration and build a strong cadre of public agency leaders supportive of juvenile justice reform and improved outcomes. The faculty includes experts from across the country and within Georgetown University.
With the generous support of Casey Family Programs, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, participants will benefit from expert guidance, professional resources and financial assistance to support their work across the juvenile justice system and related systems of care. Individuals and jurisdictions will receive financial support for the travel, lodging and a tuition subsidy for the program.
Certificate Program for Individuals – Application deadline, April 18
(Forms online at http://cjjr.georgetown.edu)
Public agency leaders and senior managers will convene at Georgetown University, for the week of June 20-27, 2008, to study and utilize the practices and policies identified through the Center's investigation of evidence, research and practice knowledge in juvenile justice and related systems of care. It is envisioned that participants in the certificate program will develop a greater understanding of the key principles of a strong juvenile justice reform agenda, related practices and policies, and how to move them forward. The Center will approach all of these issues from a multi-systems perspective.
Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Multi-jurisdictional Teams – Application deadlines, April 11 for “interest form” and May 1 for completed application
(Forms online at http://cjjr.georgetown.edu)
Seven jurisdictions will be selected to participate, from July 18-23, 2008, in this certificate program for teams, which will lead into a year-long Breakthrough Series Collaborative (BSC) project on Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Integration. After completing the five-day certificate program, each team of leaders will return home and prepare for participation in the BSC project. The teams of public agency leaders will appoint interagency teams in their home jurisdiction to advance desired reforms. This interagency team will engage in a year-long series of three learning sessions at the Center followed by action periods. During the action periods, participating jurisdictions will identify, develop and test potentially promising strategies and ultimately support multi-systems approaches to improve outcomes for children and youth. The Center faculty and national experts will provide ongoing support to the teams.
Participants chosen for either of these programs will receive a Certificate of Achievement from Georgetown University and become part of the Center’s Network of Fellows who will both benefit from and provide ongoing professional support.
For more information, send an email to jjreform@georgetown.edu or call the Center at 202-687-0880.
NJDC Announces Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network – Applications due June 6
The National Juvenile Defender Center has announced the creation of the Juvenile Indigent Defense Action Network (JIDAN), an initiative to promote change that enhances and strengthens juvenile indigent defense systems.
The Network, funded through the MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change initiative, will respond to the critical need to build the capacity of the juvenile defense bar and to improve access to counsel and quality of representation for youth involved in the justice system. State entities, organizations and collaborations with a designated fiscal agent, law school clinical programs, nonprofit law centers and other organizations are eligible to apply. Qualified applicants will demonstrate statewide support and the ability to build momentum for reform.
Entities from four new partner states will be selected to join the existing Models for Change states and will together form a structured Network. Participation in JIDAN will yield many significant benefits to the four new partner states including funding of up to $100,000 for one year to support juvenile indigent defense reform efforts (with additional funding likely), structured collaboration with seven other states working on similar issues and access to the latest developments, information and new training materials.
Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin are already a part of Models for Change, or are in the Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) or Mental Health Action Networks, and as such are not eligible to apply.
The application packet, which includes detailed information about the Network, can be downloaded from the NJDC website at http://njdc.info/jidan.php. The completed application must be received, by hard copy and in duplicate, no later than Friday, June 6 at 5:00 pm EST. Online applications will not be accepted. The application may not be emailed or faxed. Only those entities selected will be notified. NJDC will post the selected grant recipients on its website.
If you have any questions, please contact Senior Policy and Communications Associate Rey Banks at rbanks@njdc.info or at 202-452-0010.
NCCD Releases Brief on Native American Youth and the Juvenile Justice System
The National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) has released a brief showing that Native American youth are overrepresented in the juvenile justice system and far more likely than White youth to be arrested, adjudicated and incarcerated. According to the brief:
- Native American youth are 50% more likely than White youth to receive the most punitive measures in the juvenile justice system, namely, out-of-home placement after adjudication or waiver to the adult criminal justice system.
- Native American youth are about 30% more likely than White youth to be referred to court rather than having the charges dropped and 10% more likely to be detained awaiting trial.
- Nationwide, the average rate of new commitments to adult state prison for Native American youth is almost twice (1.84 times) that of White youth. In the states with enough Native Americans to facilitate comparisons, Native American youth were committed to adult prison from 1.3 to 18.1 times the rate of Whites.
- Native American youth are victimized at greater rates than other youth. The 2002 annual average violent victimization against youth (aged 12-17 years) for Native Americans was 145, African Americans 97, Whites 95, and Asians 45.
The brief notes that Native Americans are among the most impoverished racial/ethnic groups in the United States and have a lower reported level of educational attainment compared with the general U.S. population. Read the brief at www.nccd-crc.org/nccd/pubs/2008_Focus_NativeAmerican.pdf.
NIC Hosts Blog for Juvenile Justice Professionals
The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) at the U.S. Department of Justice has established a blog for sharing information and news amongst juvenile justice professionals. The blog will feature: juvenile justice news from NIC, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and other local, state and federal sources; info on training and development opportunities available to juvenile justice organizations and professionals; and the research into practice related to juvenile justice programs, services and practices. Learn more at http://community.nicic.org/blogs/juvenilejustice/default.aspx.
In the News
February 20 – “Is Ricky Really A Sex Offender?” an article in the Los Angeles City Beat, profiles current juvenile sex offender legislation, including the Adam Walsh Act, and the consequences for one young Californian.
March 7 – “States adopt Missouri youth justice model,” an article on Stateline.org, highlights states and jurisdictions, including Louisiana, New Mexico, Santa Clara County, CA, and Washington, D.C., that have adopted the Missouri model to reduce recidivism and create safe environments for youth involved with the juvenile justice system.
March 13 – The “20/20” program on ABC aired “The Age of Consent,” a special that addressed the purpose and consequences of juvenile sex offender registries among other issues.
Upcoming Conferences and Trainings
April 28-29 – The National Center for School Engagement will conduct a training in Denver, CO, titled “Evaluating Your Truancy Reduction Program.” The training is based on practical training experience, lessons learned about truancy reduction and expertise in research and evaluation. Learn more at www.coloradofoundation.org/truancyevent.asp.
June 23-26 – The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention will host its National Youth Gang Symposium in Atlanta, GA. The theme, “Partnering to Prevent Gang Violence: From Faith-Based and Community Organizations to Law Enforcement,” will feature gang-related programs and strategies, information on youth gang activities and trends from top national experts. Learn more at www.gangsymposium.org.
July 27-30 – The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges will host, “Navigating the Complex Waterways of the Judicial System,” its 71st Annual Conference focusing on juvenile and family law topics including custody and visitation, divorce, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency and substance abuse. Learn more at www.ncjfcj.org/content/view/1082/315/.
The CJJ e-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.
The CJJ e-Monitor is distributed in the first week of every month. To submit items for publication, e-mail Kitty McCarthy at mccarthy@juvjustice.org. Items must be submitted two weeks prior to the first of the month for consideration. Inclusion and editing of submissions are subject to CJJ editorial guidelines.
To electronically subscribe or unsubscribe to the CJJ e-Monitor, please send a request with your name and contact information to info@juvjustice.org.
— Robin Jenkins, 2008 CJJ National Chair
— Kitty McCarthy, Editor
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