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November/December 2006
CJJ National Chair Update
- A message from CJJ Outgoing 2006 National Chair Paul Lawrence
CJJ Government Relations Update
- Post-Election Update
- ACT-4 Juvenile Justice Working Group
CJJ Leadership Committee News
- Year-end Summary from Treasurer/Secretary Cindy Durham
Detention Reform News
- “The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities”
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
- “Undocumented Immigrant Youth: Guide for Advocates and Service Providers”
Juvenile Justice e-Monitor Survey
- Share feedback by taking our e-Monitor Survey
Annual Circle of Leaders Campaign
- Circle of Leaders for 2006
Resources and Information of Note
- Campaign 4 Youth Justice Policy Brief: “Return Them To Juvenile Court”
- MacArthur Foundation Issue Briefs
- Overall Youth Crime Rate Remains Low
- Funding for Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
- Conditions of Confinement in New York's Juvenile Prisons for Girls
- Youth Crime Watch Conference
- Teen Court Legislation
CJJ National Chair Update
A message from CJJ Outgoing 2006 National Chair Paul Lawrence
On behalf of CJJ, I am grateful for the efforts of each and every leader, officer, staff member and SAG member during 2006. CJJ is changing and growing in strength and focus, and all of you have contributed to creating a sustainable and meaningful course for CJJ’s future. CJJ is well prepared to move forward as the premier national organization governed by SAGs, serving the SAGs, and generating a national voice regarding state-level juvenile justice and delinquency prevention concerns and needs.
In 2006, CJJ also enjoyed the support of many state and national organizations—including grant-makers—who share our vision and goals. Principal among these partners during the past year have been:
- Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and its State Relations and Assistance staff, who continued their support for CJJ’s information-sharing, leadership and conference training functions in 2006;
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation and its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, which has supported CJJ as a program partner since 2001; and
- The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which has made it possible for CJJ to serve as the sponsoring partner of the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) over the past two years and into the future.
It has been a year filled with accomplishments—a few of which I’ll highlight here:
Government Relations and JJDPA Education:
Hill visits by SAG members while in Washington, DC, in May, and other key field and Hill efforts to improve federal juvenile justice appropriations, have resulted in proposed restoration of some funds, following another set of deep cuts in the president’s juvenile justice budget this year. Specifically, in collaboration with likeminded youth-serving organizations, we were able to get Congress to propose a restoration of $50 million for the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) program. While more action is needed on JABG and other juvenile justice appropriations for FY07, we know CJJ members are ready to continue the discussion, with the president’s FY08 proposal on the near horizon.
CJJ has also been centrally involved in early efforts to discuss and educate about the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and its value, as well as to highlight areas where it could be strengthened and refined, as its reauthorization approaches. Keep your eyes on CJJ’s work on JJDPA over the next few weeks and months!
Training Conferences and Technical Assistance:
In 2006, with support from OJJDP, CJJ developed and conducted two national conference training programs—both of which were very well received and resulted in new information being generated for our members and the field regarding the implications of adolescent brain development for juvenile justice policy and practice, as well as ways to address DMC and racial disparities with law enforcement. Many excellent presentations from these meetings have been loaded onto the CJJ Web site (www.juvjustice.org). In addition, CJJ is presently publishing bulletins that address each conference topic.
In May, CJJ also convened the national annual forum of the National Juvenile Justice Network—bringing together child advocates working on state policy reform from more than 20 states. Moreover, training and technical assistance to advance detention reform has been provided by CJJ to several states this year.
Publications and Communications Tools:
As mentioned above, CJJ is releasing two bulletins on adolescent brain development and juvenile justice, and another that addresses law enforcement solutions for reducing DMC and racial disparities.
With state dues and member support, CJJ published its 2006 membership reference directory and provided copies to all SAGs in May. And, each month, CJJ continues to produce its email newsletter, the “Juvenile Justice e-Monitor.”
CJJ’s partner, NJJN, has released two policy briefs for advocates and service providers this year on: 1) best practices in the area of juvenile re-entry and 2) undocumented immigrant youth.
I have greatly appreciated your efforts, ideas and friendship this year. As my term as Chair comes to a close and I hand the Chairmanship to Robin Jenkins, who will serve with distinction as your National Chair in 2007, I also wish to thank in particular the acting executive director, Nancy Gannon Hornberger. She made it possible for CJJ to carry out its numerous missions during a year of significant change and many challenges. Without Nancy, my year as your Chair would have been overwhelming.
I continue to urge you to stay involved in CJJ, a group that is truly YOUR organization in the nation’s capitol. I look forward to our future together.
— Paul (plawrence@courts.state.nh.us and (603) 497-2402)
CJJ Government Relations Update
Post-Election Update
In the last issue of the e-Monitor, we urged you to call for action on FY07 federal juvenile justice appropriations before the mid-term elections and return of the Congress. Many thanks to all of you who continue to tirelessly and creatively urge Congress to restore much-needed, instrumental federal funding to the states for youth development, family support, delinquency prevention and juvenile justice system improvements.
The election results now provide all of us with an opportunity for renewed dialogue with members of Congress about:
- the value of the federal-state advisory system;
- your SAG’s work on juvenile justice and delinquency prevention; and
- state and local issues and concerns for which federal juvenile justice appropriations are greatly needed, including compliance with federal core requirements and effective implementation of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).
At this stage, Congress may either combine unfinished appropriations bills into one omnibus bill for passage in the remaining weeks of 2006, or may simply pass another temporary bill to delay action until the new Congress convenes in January.
For those of you in states with newly elected members of Congress, the new year provides a prime opportunity to make contact and explain the valuable work of your SAG, Juvenile Justice Specialist, state agency and sub-grantees. Bipartisan congressional support for effective appropriations will be needed as the president’s FY08 budget is presented (possibly in February) and as the JJDPA moves toward reauthorization.
We shall keep you informed as the key committees charged to make decisions on appropriations and reauthorization, and other matters of concern, are finalized for the incoming Congress.
ACT-4 Juvenile Justice Working Group
CJJ and the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) are centrally involved with the “ACT-4 Juvenile Justice Working Group” –an organization composed of several like-minded national organizations coordinating field-building and educational efforts related to reauthorization of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). In addition to CJJ and NJJN, the working group includes representatives from the Campaign 4 Youth Justice, the Center for Children’s Law and Policy, the Child Welfare League of America, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, the Justice Policy Institute, the National Juvenile Defender Center, the National Network for Youth, and the National Mental Health Association, among others.
Before the end of the year, all e-Monitor subscribers will receive a 5-minute issue survey pertaining to JJDPA reauthorization from the ACT-4 Juvenile Justice Working Group. Please watch for it.
Early in 2007, CJJ and the working group will host another series of conference call discussions on the JJDPA. Look for specifics in CJJ’s January e-Monitor.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the CJJ Government Relations Committee or Government Relations Program, please contact committee chair Linda Hayes (lhayes@harnettlaw.com), or CJJ acting executive director Nancy Gannon Hornberger (gannon@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 111).
CJJ Leadership Committee News
Year-end Summary from Treasurer/Secretary Cindy Durham
The 2006 Finance Committee has worked diligently to bring more transparency and controls to the finances of CJJ and provide multiple opportunities for the Board and CJJ members to offer input regarding CJJ’s financial solvency and future. I want to thank the committee members - Dan Coppa (NV), Bob Mardis (IN), Jim Kirk (MD), Alfred Martin (MS), Lisa Marie Gomez (NM) and Scott Ferguson (MN) - for their tireless efforts and unwavering support of the staff and me during this transition year.
I feel privileged to have served as Treasurer/Secretary during 2006 and appreciate the hard work of the staff to keep me informed, teach me the books, make suggestions for improvements and seek advice when they thought I could give it. I was humbled to have been re-elected your Treasurer/Secretary for 2007 and look forward to working with everyone to move CJJ forward as we meet new challenges.
The 2007 year will be exciting with new opportunities to increase the voice of CJJ. We expect to have proposals accepted by a number of funding sources and intend to expand our membership program to create a strong platform for CJJ to educate and support reauthorization of the JJDPA, to further promote and support detention reform and to continue our fruitful partnership with the National Juvenile Justice Network.
We are always open to suggestions for improvements in budgeting and financial management, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have comments or questions: durhamcindy@bellsouth.net.
Detention Reform News
“The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities”
The Justice Policy Institute (JPI) has released a new report detailing how youth incarceration can both increase the chances of re-offense and hinder young people’s chances for education, employment and health. The report, “The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities,” highlights how detention facilities have been used as “dumping grounds” for mentally-ill youth and how the resulting overcrowded and understaffed centers make for dangerous environments.
The report notes that incarcerating youth can lead to higher recidivism rates and that youth of color are disproportionately impacted by detention. The report also notes that with the help of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), many states have been able to reduce their detention populations, strengthen their juvenile justice systems and save money without compromising public safety. View the report on the JPI Web site, www.justicepolicy.org, beginning November 28, 2006.
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
“Undocumented Immigrant Youth: Guide for Advocates and Service Providers”
The National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) have released a new policy brief, “Undocumented Immigrant Youth: Guide for Advocates and Service Providers.”
The brief focuses on foreign-born children living in the U.S. without authorization. Every year, hundreds of thousands of youth under age 18 attempt to enter the U.S.—some come with their families, others alone, either of their own will seeking jobs, protection and family reunification, or are smuggled into the country for sweatshop labor or sexual exploitation. The exact number of children who attempt to enter the country is unknown; however, only a small number of them are granted asylum or other immigration status and stay in the U.S as legal immigrants. These youth share similar disadvantages and insecurities, often lacking language fluency, cultural knowledge and access to resources. In order to provide consistent support and protection for these children, juvenile justice advocates, immigration advocates and youth serving agencies must collaborate.
“Undocumented Immigrant Youth: Guide for Advocates and Service Providers” aims to provide advocates and youth service agencies the background necessary for this collaboration. It outlines the risks and obstacles that undocumented immigrant youth face in both the immigration and juvenile justice systems. The brief also recommends policies and actions that immigration advocates, youth advocates and service providers could adopt to improve the safety and well-being of immigrant youth.
The brief is available online at http://www.nassembly.org/ncy/documents/ImmigrationBrief.pdf.
NJJN and NCY invite you to share this brief with your affiliates, networks and in your publications. Please note that the intersection of immigrant youth and juvenile justice is an evolving field, and both policy and recommendations are open to many different interpretations. This document is by no means exhaustive, but is our hope that it provides guidance to this emerging area of need for youth.
Juvenile Justice e-Monitor Survey
Share feedback by taking our e-Monitor Survey
Thank you so much for reading the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) e-Monitor. CJJ strives to provide essential and up-to-date information to individuals and organizations throughout its membership and the field of juvenile justice. As the year comes to an end, we seek reader feedback and suggestions. Please visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=24792903129 to take a five-minute survey on the relevance, applicability and readability of the CJJ e-Monitor.
Annual Circle of Leaders Campaign
Circle of Leaders in 2006
Nearly $4,000 in generous contributions from individuals has been raised to date for the Annual CJJ Circle of Leaders Campaign. Please join your colleagues and friends listed below by making a donation to CJJ before December 31st.
The National Steering Committee extends its heartfelt thanks all who have already joined the Circle of Leaders for 2006:
LaLita Y. Ashley
Ann Linden (A.L.) Carlisle
Seth Church
Barbara Cone
Daniel Coppa
John Dewese
Cindy Durham
Linda W. Hayes
Nancy & Steve Hornberger
Susan C. Kamp
Rev. James G. Kirk
Judge Paul H. Lawrence
Susan Lawrence
Judge B. Thomas Leahy
Dennie Littlejohn
Michael J. Mahoney
Alfred L. Martin
Linda O'Neal
David R. Schmidt
Vicki Spriggs
Debrah Stafford
Wayne B. Thomas
Billy F. Wasson
National Youth Committee
There’s still time to join this wonderful group—contributions of any amount are welcomed and will be directed toward CJJ’s member programs, including the development and production of this monthly e-newsletter. All contributions are helpful and fully tax deductible.
Circle of Leaders Donor Categories:
Contributor—up to $200
Partner—$200 to $500
Patron—$500 to $1,500
Benefactor—$1,500 or more
To learn how you may contribute, please see www.juvjustice.org for more information, or place a confidential inquiry with CJJ’s acting executive director, Nancy Gannon Hornberger: 202-467-0864, ext. 111 or gannon@juvjustice.org.
Resources and Information of Note
Campaign 4 Youth Justice Policy Brief: “Return Them To Juvenile Court”
The Campaign 4 Youth Justice recently released “Return Them To Juvenile Court,” a policy brief by the Honorable Ted Rubin, a former judge of the Denver Juvenile Court and a former Colorado State Representative. In the brief, Rubin urges the return of older and more seriously offending juveniles to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and argues that state juvenile justice systems can best administer accountability, punishment and needed intervention while encouraging constructive futures for young people. The brief is available online in PDF form at http://www.campaign4youthjustice.org/
nov06/AdultificationPolicyBriefVol1.pdf.
MacArthur Foundation Issue Briefs
The MacArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice has released a series of five issue briefs that incorporate research and recommendations on a range of topics:
- Adolescent Legal Competence in Court
- Creating Turning Points for Serious Adolescent Offenders: Research in Pathways to Desistance
- Less Guilty by Reason of Adolescence
- Assessing Juvenile Psychopathy: Developmental and Legal Implications
- The Changing Borders of Juvenile Justice: Transfer of Adolescents to the Adult Criminal Court
The briefs are available online at http://www.adjj.org/content/page.php?cat_id=2&content_id=28.
Overall Youth Crime Rate Remains Low
A new report from the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago shows that despite a 2 percent increase in violent crime between 2004 and 2005, youth crime in the U.S. remains at or near a 30-year low and predictions of a coming wave of youth crime are premature. The issue brief, titled “Too Soon to Tell: Deciphering Recent Trends in Youth Violence,” was discussed at a November 16 public policy forum in Washington, DC. View the brief and listen to an audio recording of that forum at http://www.chapinhall.org/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1437&L2=61&L3=132.
Funding for Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program
The Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs is now accepting fiscal year 2007 applications for the Justice and Mental Health Collaborative Program, supporting collaborative efforts to plan, implement and expand access to services for mentally ill adult and juvenile offenders. Grants are available in three areas: planning; planning and implementation; and implementation and expansion. The deadline for applications is December 12, 2006. View the complete grant announcement at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/07MIOsol.pdf.
Conditions of Confinement in New York's Juvenile Prisons for Girls
In September, the American Civil Liberties Union and Human Rights Watch released “Custody and Control: Conditions of Confinement in New York’s Juvenile Prisons for Girls.” Focusing on two large New York facilities, the report concludes that girls far too often experience abusive physical restraints, other forms of abuse and neglect, and are denied the mental health, educational and other rehabilitative services they need. The report offers key recommendations for change. Those recommendations, as well as the full report, video testimony, a press statement and other materials, are available at http://www.aclu.org/womensrights/crimjustice/custodycontrol.html.
Youth Crime Watch Conference
Youth Crime Watch of America will host “Youth on the Path to Prevention: The 18th National Youth Crime Prevention Conference and International Forum” March 21-24, 2007 in Denver, CO. Youth (ages 12-22), their adult allies and other practitioners will participate in a town meeting, professional development seminars and intensive institutes, as well as choose from more than 40 workshops. Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the recent film “Hotel Rwanda,” will be a keynote speaker. For further information, contact S. Jonann Wild (sjwildycwa@hotmail.com or 202-466-3322), or visit http://www.ycwa.org/youthcon/.
Teen Court Legislation
The National Youth Court Center has issued a 12-page bulletin entitled “An Update of Teen Court Legislation” with the support of OJJDP, the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The bulletin discusses teen court research and details common components of teen court legislation. View the bulletin at http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/paper.pdf.
The CJJ e-Monitor is brought to you by staff and volunteer leaders of CJJ, and supported by dues from our State Advisory Group and At-Large Members. We are grateful to all for their ongoing support.
To electronically subscribe to the CJJ e-Monitor, please send a request with your name and e-mail address to info@juvjustice.org.
— Paul Lawrence, 2006 CJJ National Chair
— Kitty McCarthy, Editor
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