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October 2011
CJJ Leadership News
- 2011 CJJ Northeast Region Conference
- CJJ at the OJJDP National Conference
- CJJ's New National Office
- Join Our Team! CJJ Seeks Manager, Training and Technical Assistance
Read More
CJJ Government Relations Alerts
- Call to Action: Your Voice Needed to Preserve Federal Juvenile Justice Funding
- New York State Opts out of the Adam Walsh Act
Read More
CJJ Conference and Training News
- CJJ Southern Region Conference: Registration Now Open!
Read More
CJJ Committee and Regional News
- Idaho Youth Speak, New Publication by Idaho Youth SAG Members
- Georgia’s SAG Launches Juvenile Justice Data Website
Read More
National Juvenile Justice Network News
- Little Rock, Arkansas Increases Sales Tax to Fund Services for At-Risk Youth
- Lightning in a Bottle: Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance Celebrates its first 10 years
- NJJN Seeks Fiscal Policy Fellow
Read More
CJJ Resources and Information of Note
- Youth Justice System Survey Shows Public Favors Restorative Approach
- No Place for Kids: The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration
- New Report on Use of Relational Inquiry Tool (RIT)
- New Fact Sheet Links Health Equity and Violence
- Report on Latest Data and Trends in Juvenile Court Cases
- 2011 Global Youth Justice Training Institute, December 6-8, Las Vegas, NV
Read More
In the News
- Washington Post Highlights Efforts to Reduce School-to-Prison Pipeline
- Court Reform for Youth in New York
- Prison isn’t Best Option for Nonviolent Youths
Read More
Share Your News and Feedback with CJJ!
Read More
CJJ Leadership News
From Susan Kamp (VT), CJJ National Chair
2011 CJJ Northeast Region Conference
I am writing this upon my return from an afternoon drive that included “leaf-peeping,” something that even we Vermonters don’t take for granted at this time of year. The colors are at peak now and I am again reminded of how blessed I am to live in this part of the country.
An early foliage show and some wonderful learning were on the agenda for more than 200 attendees from the Northeast region and many other states at the CJJ Northeast Regional Conference, September 29-October 1 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Click here to see photos from the conference!
Inspirational keynote addresses included Judge Patricia Martin from Cook County (IL), President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, who spoke of the importance of adhering to a “do no harm” philosophy in our work with youth, and Hasan Davis, deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, who spoke about the need for system improvement and reform with the story of his experiences and those of his brothers as justice system-involved youth. Conference workshops focused on the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) in New Jersey and New Hampshire, adolescent brain development, and behavioral health, among other themes.
CJJ wishes to express sincere thanks and great appreciation to the New Hampshire State Advisory Group (SAG), led by David Kemper, and the state's Juvenile Justice Specialist, Pamela Sullivan, as well as the New Hampshire Division of Juvenile Justice Services, for developing, planning and hosting a wonderful CJJ regional conference!
CJJ at the OJJDP National Conference
Shortly after the regional conference, I was back on the road representing CJJ at OJJDP's 2011 Conference, October 12-14, in National Harbor, MD. Thought-provoking keynoters included Father Gregory Boyle of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, the Honorable Bobby Scott of Virginia and Joe Torre, former manager of the New York Yankees. It was exciting to be there with more than 3,000 colleagues, all dedicated to working with and for our children, youth and families.
CJJ had a strong presence at the OJJDP Conference, presenting three sessions:
On October 11, the SAG Youth Involvement Training, co-developed by CJJ and Development Services Group, Inc. (DSG) for OJJDP, was presented by CJJ National Youth Chair Ben Deaton (KY), and CJJ National Youth Committee members Cassy Blakely (NE), Martha Doyle (OR) and Damon Booth (NV). Not only did they facilitate a lively discussion among SAG members, state staff and OJJDP staff about ways to recruit, engage and retain youth SAG members, they also pilot tested and gained feedback on training curriculum, resources and approaches designed for SAGs seeking to increase youth-adult partnerships.
The following day, Nancy Gannon Hornberger, CJJ’s executive director, was joined by Andrew Peterman (ID), a youth SAG member, CJJ National Youth Committee member and recipient of CJJ's 2011 National Spirit of Youth Award; Brandon McMillian (DC), recipient of CJJ's 2010 National Spirit of Youth Award; Tawana Burks (MI), a Howard University student and CJJ intern; and Sue Badeau, a Senior Fellow with OJJDP. Together, they presented on “Effective Youth Engagement and Best Practices for Sustaining Youth Leadership.” More than 300 people attended and gave the youth speakers a rousing standing ovation at the end.
“Promising Examples of Judicial Leadership to Achieve Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders,” a panel moderated by Tara Andrews, CJJ’s deputy executive director, featured The Honorable J. Brian Huff (AL), Presiding Judge of the Jefferson County Family Court (AL) and Joyce Salapack (OH), Chief of Probation for the Stark County Family Court, who presented ways that judges and court service administrators use statutory, convening and inherent powers to prevent and reduce the locked detention of youth who commit status offenses, and divert non-delinquent youth from juvenile court altogether. Click here for a PowerPoint presentation from this workshop.
Click here to see photos from the CJJ sessions at the OJJDP conference.
I feel very fortunate to have had so many opportunities in recent months to meet, connect with and learn from CJJ members and colleagues. Thanks for all you do to support children, youth and families, as well as CJJ.
CJJ's New National Office
As of November 1, 2011, CJJ will have a new address – for the first time in a decade – at 1319 F Street NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20004. CJJ and NJJN will continue to be housed together and have the same phone numbers, extensions and email addresses.
As we're unpacking and thinking of creative ways to decorate our space in a way that fits our mission and vision, we'd like to invite you, CJJ members and allies from around the country, to send art or decorative items that represent your SAG, state, territory or region!
If you have ideas or questions, please feel free to contact Idit Knaan at knaan@juvjustice.org.
Join Our Team! CJJ Seeks Manager, Training and Technical Assistance
CJJ seeks a Manager, Training and Technical Assistance, to plan, develop and manage the overall provision of national and regional training and technical assistance to the organization's members and allies. Please click here for the full job announcement and feel free to circulate widely.
CJJ Government Relations Alerts
Call to Action: Your Voice Needed to Preserve Federal Juvenile Justice Funding
The FY 2011 and 2012 budget cycles have been two of the most challenging for juvenile justice in the last decade. Yet, it remains critical that CJJ members and allies raise our voices to defend the Senate appropriations numbers for FY 2012, even as we work to improve them. CJJ is asking all members to take action to safeguard and rebuild federal support for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), the Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG), delinquency prevention and juvenile justice reform in your state and across the nation.
To see a recent and relevant editorial published in The Washington Post, click here.
To read more, click here.
New York State Opts out of the Adam Walsh Act
In a letter to the SMART Office at the U.S. Department of Justice dated August 23, 2011, New York became the first state to explicitly opt out of compliance with Title I of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006, also known as the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA).
To read more, click here.
CJJ Conference and Training News
CJJ Southern Region Conference: Registration Now Open!
Please join us for the CJJ Southern Region Conference, “Public/Private Partnerships: Joining Forces to Improve Outcomes for Youth, Families and Communities,” January 27-29, 2012, at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The Puerto Rico Governor’s Juvenile Justice Council (The PR SAG), in partnership with CJJ and the 11 other states in the CJJ Southern Region, will host this conference designed to help states maximize their local, state and federal resources by leveraging private support.
Please click here for a draft agenda. The Programming will kick-off with an evening reception at the Puerto Rico Governor’s residence on Friday, January 27. The conference will conclude at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 29.
Registration: Registration fee is $50. Please click here for a registration form and return it by Friday, January 6 to Lori Lane at lane@juvjustice.org, fax to 202-887-0738, or mail to the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, Attn: Southern Region Conference, 1319 F Street NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC 20004.
Room block: A room block rate of $159+tax/night is available at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel for the nights of Friday, January 27 through Sunday, January 29. To make your reservation, please call the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel at 787-993-3500 and reference the “CJJ – Southern Region Conference.” Reservations are accepted through Friday, January 6.
Call for presentations: With this national call for presentations, the CJJ Southern Region Conference Planning Committee is seeking proposals for sessions to be held on Saturday, January 28. The Workshop Review Committee will select a maximum of six proposals for presentations lasting up to 90 minutes.
Keynote Speakers: The Conference Planning Committee is looking for suggestions for possible keynote speaker(s). Please contact John Dewese, Southern Region Conference Chair, at johndewese@truvista.net with any suggestions.
Conference Sponsorships: To help support the Southern Region Conference, CJJ and the Southern Region are requesting states, SAGs, and any interested organizations to consider providing a conference sponsorship, ranging from $500-$5,000. Please contact Jessica Russell Murphy, CJJ Conference and Member Services Manager, at murphy@juvjustice.org with any questions.
We look forward to seeing everyone in Puerto Rico!
CJJ Committee and Regional News
Idaho Youth Speak, New Publication by Idaho Youth SAG Members
From Martha Doyle (OR), CJJ National Youth Committee Member
The Youth Committee of Idaho's Juvenile Justice Commission (the Idaho SAG) recently published its first edition of Idaho Youth Speak, a biannual newsletter with the goal of raising awareness about issues of importance to young people throughout Idaho. Idaho Youth Speak features essays, poems and personal interviews all authored by Idaho SAG youth members.
Youth SAG members Fernando Flores, Drew Peterman and Susan Delyea were initially led in their efforts by Department of Juvenile Corrections staffer Jessica Williams. Youth SAG members Amanda Brown and Ashley Boyer joined the newsletter project upon their appointments, and the group now coordinates the publication with staffer Destinie Addington.
The newsletter is intended for a variety of audiences including local governments, juvenile courts, schools and youth throughout the state. The Idaho Youth Committee credits the Commission as a whole for truly empowering its youth members and supporting the idea from concept to fruition.
Georgia’s SAG Launches Juvenile Justice Data Website
Earlier this month, the Georgia Governor’s Office for Children and Families (GOCF) launched a new website, Georgia Juvenile Justice Data Clearinghouse, which will provide the most current and complete juvenile justice data from multiple state agencies and partners in one place. Georgia’s First Lady and SAG Chair, Sandra Deal, participated in a “ribbon cutting” ceremony to launch the site. Click here to read more from the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange.
National Juvenile Justice Network News
Little Rock, Arkansas Increases Sales Tax to Fund Services for At-Risk Youth
On September 6, voters in the city of Little Rock increased their sales tax by 1 cent, in part to fund services for court-involved and at-risk youth and their families. That has to make NJJN member Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families happy.
Many people worked hard on the campaign on their own initiative to get the sales tax passed. Among them was Paul Kelly, a policy analyst who works on juvenile justice issues at Arkansas Advocates. His support was no small matter, as he chairs the Little Rock Commission on Children, Youth and Families. The Commission oversees the expanded youth programs and makes recommendations to the city board of directors on what programs are funded.
Thanks to the increase, about $3 million a year in additional funds will now go to support prevention, intervention, and treatment programs to reduce juvenile crime. This brings the city's annual investment in afterschool and summer programs, gang intervention, and youth development and other treatment programs to $6 million a year.
Click here to read more.
Lightning in a Bottle: Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance Celebrates its first 10 years
The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance -- an NJJN member -- has just published an eye-catching report celebrating its first ten years, titled How to Catch Lightning in a Bottle.
Ten years ago, an independent report concluded that Connecticut's juvenile justice system was making kids more likely to commit crimes. Now, Connecticut is a national leader in juvenile justice reform. It locks up fewer kids than it did ten years ago; it uses evidence-based practices for youth and families who need them; and it has ensured that 16-year-olds (and soon, 17-year-olds as well) in trouble with the law are no longer routinely tried as adults.
Packed with observations from the many people -- parents, legislators, system professionals, and funders -- who played a pivotal role in turning the state around, How to Catch Lightning in a Bottle is an inspiring review of the Alliance's past. It's also an inquiry into why it's been so successful, and how it can apply those lessons to the next ten years.
Click here to read more.
NJJN Seeks Fiscal Policy Fellow
NJJN seeks a part-time Fellow to assist with the activities of the Fiscal Policy Center. The Fellow will work with the Director of the Fiscal Policy Center to compile strategic and data-driven materials for NJJN members. The Fellow will additionally assist with the provision of technical assistance to state-based NJJN members around fiscal issues. The Fellow must commit to at least 8-12 hours per week on site at NJJN’s office in Washington, D.C. The Fellowship is unpaid. Bachelor’s degree required. For more information and to apply, email resume and a short statement of your interest in the position to albin@juvjustice.org.
CJJ Resources and Information of Note
Youth Justice System Survey Shows Public Favors Restorative Approach
On October 11, the Campaign for Youth Justice released results from a recent survey indicating that public opinion favors a balanced and restorative approach, as well as recognizing age and stage of development for youth in the justice system. Click here to read more.
No Place for Kids: The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration
On October 4, the Annie E. Casey Foundation released No Place for Kids: The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration, which examines the detrimental impact of America’s over-reliance on incarceration of youth on young people and public safety. The analysis shows that incarcerating young offenders has not decreased delinquency and that reducing incarceration rates and closing facilities does not increase delinquency rates. Click here for the press release.
New Report on Use of Relational Inquiry Tool (RIT)
A new Vera Institute of Justice report, Close to Home: Building on Family Support for People Leaving Jail, documents the Family Justice Program’s use of the Relational Inquiry Tool (RIT)—a series of questions originally designed for and tested in prisons—to encourage family participation in reentry planning for people in jail. The report describes a pilot project in which Family Justice Program staff trained personnel at three jails in Maryland and Wisconsin to implement the RIT. The report discusses preliminary results from research aimed at gauging attitudes of jail staff, incarcerated men and women, and family members toward the RIT.
New Fact Sheet Links Health Equity and Violence
A new fact sheet, "Links Between Violence and Health Equity," released by Prevention Institute’s UNITY initiative, makes the case that violence is a key health equity issue. According to the fact sheet, violence affects young people of color and those living in low-income areas more than other groups. In addition to serious injury and premature death, violence creates a climate where people do not feel safe, which in turn discourages economic development and investment in communities. A major determinant of trauma and other health issues, violence affects not just where people shop and go to school but also whether they walk in their neighborhood or are able to learn. Visit Prevention Institute's health equity webpage for additional resources.
Report on Latest Data and Trends in Juvenile Court Cases
A new report from the National Center for Juvenile Justice, Juvenile Court Statistics 2008, profiles more than 1.6 million delinquency cases that U.S. courts with juvenile jurisdiction handled in 2008. The report also describes the trends in delinquency cases processed by juvenile courts between 1985 and 2008 and the status offense cases they handled between 1995 and 2008.
2011 Global Youth Justice Training Institute, December 6-8, Las Vegas, NV
The 2011 Global Youth Justice’s Three-Day Training Institute, December 6-8, 2011, in Las Vegas, NV, will address identifying juvenile referrals, training youth volunteers, confidentiality, grant writing, mandated peer-imposed community service and more. For more information, click here. For questions, contact scott.peterson@globalyouthjustice.org or 202-468-3790.
In the News
Washington Post Highlights Efforts to Reduce School-to-Prison Pipeline
An October 17 Washington Post article, “Judge Steve Teske seeks to keep kids with minor problems out of court,” highlighted the leadership of Judge Steve Teske (GA), Judge Brian Huff (AL), Lisa Thurau (MA) and others in reform efforts, in particular efforts to reduce the harmful implications of schools referring students to the courts for relatively minor trouble.
Court Reform for Youth in New York
An October 11 New York Times editorial, “Court Reform for Teenage Offenders”, supports New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman’s call for state officials to transfer most youth cases to the family court system, saying that “treating adolescents as adults is both counterproductive and morally unjustified, given brain science showing that teenagers are often incapable of the judgments of adults.”
Prison isn’t Best Option for Nonviolent Youths
An October 13 Chicago Sun-Times editorial, “Prison isn’t best option for nonviolent youths,” says that research consistently shows that locking up nonviolent youth fails to correct their behavior, costs too much and does not increase public safety, in light of a recent public debate on Governor Quinn’s plan to close the Illinois Youth Center in downstate Murphysboro.
Share Your News and Feedback with CJJ!
Share Your News and Feedback with CJJ!
CJJ invites you to share news from your SAG, state or region! Please submit items by email to editor@juvjustice.org. Inclusion and editing of submissions are subject to CJJ editorial guidelines.
The Juvenile Justice 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.
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