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CJJ | Newsletter: July 2008


CJJ Leadership News
- Message from Robin Jenkins, CJJ 2008-09 National Chair

CJJ Government Relations Alert
- U.S. Senators Leahy, Specter and Kohl Introduce 2008 JJDPA Reauthorization Bill
- House and Senate Recommend Funding Levels for FY 2009 Federal Juvenile Justice Programs
- U.S. Department of Justice Releases Final Guidelines on the Adam Walsh Act
- CJJ Administers Compliance Survey to the States on July 7, 2008
- New Report: "Getting the Facts Straight: NCCD Questions the 'Impending Crime Wave' Report by Third Way”

CJJ Training and Conference News
- Save the Dates – CJJ Hosts Third Quarterly Topical Training in September
- Evaluation Results for CJJ 2008 Annual Spring Conference

CJJ SAG Source™ News
- CJJ SAG Source™ Continues to Expand!

National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
- Successes from NJJN Members Across the Country
- NJJN Welcomes New Partner
- NJJN Hosts Annual Forum

Resources and Information of Note
- NJDC Releases 2007 State Juvenile Justice Legislative Review
- Report Examines Preteen Crime
- Reclaiming Futures Project Directors Issue Report
- Urban Institute Reports on Children in the Federal Budget
- OJJDP Publishes Report on Addressing Community Gangs
- IssueLab Features Research on LGBTQ Youth
- New Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain Available Online
- Tribal Solicitations Announced at OJJDP
- In the News
- Upcoming Conferences/Trainings




CJJ Leadership News

Message from Robin Jenkins, CJJ 2008-09 National Chair

I hope that everyone is doing okay. I have had the Midwest in my thoughts so much lately. Our friends in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Mississippi, Indiana, Michigan, etc. have had such difficulties that it’s hard for me to press on about social issues when homes and lifestyles are being washed away. Our prayers and hopes for the best possible outcomes go out to you all in that region of the country. If CJJ members can help, please don’t hesitate to call upon us.

Of course, there are always other challenges – fires, drought, economic problems. These are some of the very reasons why I “preach” sticking together. Such stressors challenge even the strongest of families and force communities to work together. In many communities around the country and territories, we’ve lost that sense of community – that value system – that teaches us to care for each other way beyond what government or public services can or should do. Our value systems have drifted so much toward individualism and “relative justice” (it’s only unjust if somebody gets hurt, and who determines if someone is harmed?), that our collective senses of moral and ethical caring have eroded. Our youth demonstrate this every day by their behaviors and values expressions. I often worry about this.

However, on a happier note, I wish to report to you all that being involved with the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) and the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) – or both – has never been a better idea than right now. In June, I traveled to Portland, ME, where an exceptionally informative and professionally planned CJJ Northeast Coalition meeting occurred. The Maine SAG, led by Paul Vestal, and so competently staffed by Kathryn McGloin and others, hosted an extraordinarily useful and fun conference. We were exposed to evidence-based practices as implemented in the Maine juvenile justice system (congratulations to the juvenile corrections director in Maine, Barry Stoodley, for his vision), Collaborative Problem Solving as an empirically supported and developmentally appropriate skill building system, system-wide strategic thinking, and a wonderful commitment to kids no matter their offenses or backgrounds, by all involved. By the way, did you know that Ned Chester is a “legend” among Maine youth? According to youth at the Long Creek Youth Development Center, Ned represents the lion’s share of system kids who have become involved in that institution, and is known for his expertise, advocacy, and commitment to all youth in the Maine juvenile justice system. What an amazing reputation!

Last year, Michael Daly and the New York SAG put on a similarly helpful/informative Northeast Conference. This is the stuff of strong regional and national coalitions – excellent collaboration, willingness to share costs and resources, and demonstrated hospitality so gracious among caring and committed persons who love helping vulnerable youth and their families. Congratulations to Jim Kirk, Northeast Regional Chair, and Sue Kamp, Northeast Region Representative, and everyone who pulled it off. Following the conference, which was held at the Long Creek Youth Development Center, the CJJ Northeast Region Coalition was inspired to donate $1,000 to the Long Creek Youth Development Center, from the funds contributed by states in the region. The Northeast Region is setting a high standard for regional CJJ Coalitions! I suspect that the Southern, Midwestern and Western Region Coalitions can rally.

At the end of June, I was also invited to Chicago for the 6th Annual NJJN Forum, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Led by co-chairs Abby Anderson (CT) and Betsy Clarke (IL), and so competently staffed by Sarah Bryer and Annie Balck, NJJN hosted an informative series of plenary and break-out meetings in the windy city. Presentations ranged from understanding juvenile competency and legislation, to the School-to-Prison pipeline, to working with adolescent sex offenders (registration), blended sentencing approaches and issues, and using political science messages to “create wins for children.” The presentations were all wonderful and highly educational. The conference planning committee did a fantastic job of blending education, strategic planning and warm networking into this compact two and a half day event. Lara Herscovitch, a NJJN member from Connecticut, was also noteworthy for her guitar presentations that included both inspiration and entertainment.

NJJN presents an excellent opportunity for advocacy, grassroots or other organizations to have a real voice in improving juvenile justice in states and territories. The networking through NJJN is complementary to what CJJ affords through State Advisory Groups and its Member-At-Large and Affiliate Organization Member system – and the two groups combined have most of the bases covered: an effective presence on Capitol Hill, a strong government relations program, excellent training and networking opportunities, and ongoing support for members in myriad ways.

And finally, you’ll read much more in the Government Relations Alert below about the newly introduced Senate bill, the 2008 JJDPA Reauthorization Act. This is excellent news! CJJ has worked diligently with its allies and staff members on Capitol Hill to generate a strong starting point for a reauthorized bill, that contains more positive funding and resources. We now need patience, consistent communications, a strategic plan and vision for supporting a strong reauthorization and commitment to “be there” when called upon by Government Relations and the Executive Board to voice our opinions and support. I know that you will come through.

Thank you – to each of you – for who you are and for what you give to our children and their families. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

Robin Jenkins
[1] rjenkins@cccommunicare.org

CJJ Government Relations Alert

U.S. Senators Leahy, Specter and Kohl Introduce 2008 JJDPA Reauthorization Bill

On June 18, 2008, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ranking Member Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI) introduced Senate Bill 3155, bi-partisan legislation to reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). To view a copy of the bill, go to [2] http://thomas.loc.gov/ and search for “S. 3155.”

The next step is to discuss and “mark-up” the bill in a full business meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Click [3] here to track the scheduling.

In summary, the Senators’ bill is responsive to many of the suggestions and positions held by CJJ, as represented in the [4] CJJ Platform on Reauthorization of the JJDPA. S. 3155 reflects many CJJ priorities and moves the entire juvenile justice community in the right direction.

As an initial step, the CJJ Government Relations Committee has organized a series of conference call briefings to discuss the bill in detail, to ensure that the field understands its implications and to assist the CJJ Council of SAGs in developing its official position on the bill.

A conference call was already held on Wednesday, July 2. Two more conference calls, running approximately 90 minutes, will be held on the following dates at the following times:
If interested in participating, please select a call and RSVP your participation to [5] andrews@juvjustice.org. Each call will cover the same material, so you only need to participate on one call.

To assist participants, CJJ staff has developed a side-by-side that compares current JJDPA provisions with the proposed changes in the Senate bill, and whether the proposed changes in S. 3155 line up with the recommendations in CJJ’s Platform Position on Reauthorization of the JJDPA. View the side by side [6] here.

House and Senate Recommend Funding Levels for FY 2009 Federal Juvenile Justice Programs

The House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) recently marked up the CJS appropriations bill, which includes recommended funding levels for the core federal juvenile justice programs. Good news, once again! Both the House and the Senate rejected the President’s proposal to zero-out these funding programs and replace them with one, large competitive program. A chart comparing the recommendations to current funding levels is below.

The Senate CJS bill number is S. 3182, and the juvenile justice programs begin on page 52. As of July 7, 2008, the House CJS bill was not yet available.

In millions:

 FY02 FY08 House
Proposal
for FY09		 Senate
Proposal
for FY09		 CJJ REQUEST
for FY09
Title II
State
Formula
Funds		 $88.8 $74.3 $75 $75 $96
Title V
Local
Delinq. Prevention		 $94.3 $61.1
$25 for EUDL
$25 for GREAT
$17.5 for Tribal Youth		 $40
$25 for TY
$15 for gang prevention		 $80 $95
JABG $249.5 $51.7 $55 $80 $250
DPBG N/A 0 0 0 $126.4


Both the House and the Senate are recommending that the Title II program basically be level-funded at $75 million (up $700,000 from FY 2008). Both chambers are also recommending an increase in the JABG and mentoring programs: for JABG, the Senate is recommending $80 million and the House $55 million vs. $51.7 million in FY 2008, and for mentoring the Senate is recommending $80 million and the House $100 million vs. $70 million in FY 2008.

Finally, while the Senate is recommending that the Title V program be increased to $65 million over $61.1 million in FY 2008, the House is recommending that the program be decreased by more than $20 million to only $40 million. In addition, the $40 million being recommended by the House is completely earmarked, with $25 million going towards the Tribal Youth Program and $15 million going towards gang prevention.

Each bill now moves on for full consideration by their respective chambers, and then on to consideration by the conference committee to reconcile the differences between the two bills. In addition, the House is proposing $75 million in “demonstration projects,” i.e., earmarked juvenile justice programming, while the Senate is proposing $65 million.

THE TIME IS NOW to urge congressional appropriators to restore specific funding for all critical juvenile justice and delinquency prevention funding streams that support the work of the JJDPA in the states: Title II State Formula Funds, Title V Local Delinquency Prevention Grants, Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) and Delinquency Prevention Block Grants (DPBG). At this juncture, the entire House and Senate are in play.

Please use the CJJ Template Appropriations Support Letter to communicate the importance of federal juvenile justice funding to your entire congressional delegation. Click [7] here to obtain a copy of the Template Letter or contact Tara Andrews at [8] andrews@juvjustice.org.

U.S. Department of Justice Releases Final Guidelines on the Adam Walsh Act

On July 1, 2008, the U.S. Office of Justice Programs' Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (“SMART Office”) released the final Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) Guidelines. These guidelines attempt to clarify the implementation requirements of the Adam Walsh Act's sex offender registration and notification provisions. The complete guidelines can be found online [9] here.

Among other things, the category of juvenile offenders affected by the Act has been narrowed. It is still the case, however, that certain juveniles adjudicated within the juvenile court will be subject to public registration for 25 years to life.

CJJ Administers Compliance Survey to the States on July 7, 2008

We are pleased to announce that on July 7, 2008, CJJ and the Justice Policy Institute (JPI) began administering a survey to the states as part of its JJDPA Compliance Successes and Challenges Project (“the Compliance Project”) launched this past February.

The goal of the Compliance Survey is to clearly identify state compliance challenges, analyze those challenges and craft recommendations designed to help all relevant stakeholders work together to support states in their efforts to achieve optimal compliance with the JJDPA core requirements.

The survey will be administered using an online survey tool, but for anyone who prefers, it is also available in hard copy. We ask all Juvenile Justice Specialists, Compliance Monitors and DMC Coordinators to be on the lookout for the survey. The outcomes are dependent on the quantity and quality of the responses we receive, and we fully expect that the responses we receive will be rich and beneficial to everyone in the short- and long-term.

New Report: "Getting the Facts Straight: NCCD Questions the 'Impending Crime Wave' Report by Third Way”

In February 2008, Third Way, a “nonprofit, nonpartisan strategy center for progressives,” released a significant policy statement entitled “The Impending Crime Wave,” which described the convergence of what the Third Way conceives of as four new and menacing sociological trends, which, together with recent federal disengagement from crime fighting, allegedly threaten a new and devastating wave of crime in America. Click [10] here to view the report.

The National Council on Crime & Delinquency (NCCD) recently reviewed the Third Way report and has identified troubling flaws with its arguments and the data used to support the arguments. NCCD found that the described “trends” are based on incorrect data, much of which was drawn from news stories or out-dated data reports.

Interestingly, many of the Third Way recommendations are in keeping with NCCD’s (and CJJ’s) own values. However, in its 100 years of history, NCCD has stood for progressive reforms that emphasize personal responsibility, that are fiscally sound, and that help make the public safer. View the NCCD report [11] here.

###

If you have questions or suggestions regarding the CJJ Government Relations Committee or Government Relations Program, please contact committee chair Ken Schatz ([12] kschatz@ci.burlington.vt.us), or CJJ deputy executive director Tara Andrews ([13] andrews@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 109).

CJJ Training and Conference News

Save the Dates – CJJ Hosts Third Quarterly Topical Training in September

CJJ, in partnership with the [14] National Implementation Research Network, is pleased to present its third topical training:

"Making a Difference: Implementation Strategies to Make Use of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices"

Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 4 p.m. EDT
or
Thursday, September 18, 2008, 2 p.m. EDT

Webinar Facilitator:

Karen A. Blase, Ph.D.
National Implementation Research Network
Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute
University of South Florida

Every agency and program wants to make a difference for the youth it serves. Prevention and intervention approaches based on research evidence hold promise for achieving positive outcomes for at-risk youth or youth involved with the juvenile justice system. While research can inform us about which programs and practices can make a difference, the research results tell us very little about how to make these programs and approaches come to life in the real world. This webinar will present practical strategies and frameworks for selecting, installing and sustaining evidence-based programs and practices. Participants will learn about the stages of implementation and the work to be done in each stage, the use of implementation drivers to ensure quality and sustainability, the value of “innovation zones,” how to work with “purveyors,” and the importance of policy and practice feedback loops.

The webinar will address such questions as:
The implementation best practices presented in this Webinar are based on a [15] synthesis of the implementation research literature, an extensive review of successful implementation practices from around the country, and the presenter’s own experiences.

Karen A. Blase, Ph.D., Co-Director of the National Implementation Research Network and a Research Professor at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida, has been a program developer and evaluator, researcher, trainer and published author in the human service field for more than 30 years. She received her doctorate in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas with a focus on school-based interventions and community-based services for children and youth involved with juvenile justice and child welfare.

To register for the webinar or for more information, please contact Mark Ferrante, Director, Leadership and Training Programs for CJJ, at [16] ferrante@juvjustice.org or at 202-467-0864, ext. 102.

Evaluation Results for CJJ 2008 Annual Spring Conference

The Coalition for Juvenile Justice 2008 Annual Spring Conference, “Investing in Our Children: Emerging Reform Efforts in Juvenile Justice,” took place in April 2008 and the evaluation results from participants are now available. Nearly 30% of the 246 attendees responded via online survey and feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
In addition to numerical ratings, the conference evaluation also asked respondents to offer comments and suggestions regarding the 2008 conference and the upcoming annual spring conference in 2009.

Thank you to all who took the time to fill out the conference evaluation. CJJ values your feedback and suggestions and will make use of them when planning future events. To comment further, please contact Mark Ferrante at [17] ferrante@juvjustice.org.

CJJ SAG Source™ News

CJJ SAG Source™ Continues to Expand!

If you haven’t visited the [18] SAG Source™ section of the CJJ Web site recently, you may wish to peruse several new resources of interest to State Advisory Groups received from Iowa, Montana and Vermont. CJJ SAG Source™ is an online information resource for state advisory group (SAG) members and state staff housing a virtual library of documents that showcase the important work of the nation’s SAGs. It is searchable by topic area and state.

Our particular focus this month is on the state of Pennsylvania which has made available several important documents of interest to juvenile justice policy makers and practitioners.

The first, entitled “The Economic Return of PCCD’s (Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency) Investment in Research-Based Programs,” is a study, conducted by the Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University, concluding that investments in evidence-based delinquency prevention programs by the PCCD have reduced crime and violence and produced a $317 million return to taxpayers. The study includes a cost-benefit assessment of seven programs at the core of PCCD’s juvenile delinquency prevention strategy. Each was found to have a positive cost benefit ratio – from $54 to nearly $80,000 per youth – resulting in an average estimated return of up to $12 million per community for a single program and a total cost savings of $317 million statewide.

The second report, “Reducing Youth Violence and Delinquency in Pennsylvania,” details Pennsylvania’s approach to effectively addressing juvenile crime. It presents case studies of more than 140 model prevention programs being implemented throughout the Commonwealth in more than 100 communities through PCCD funding and describes the positive outcomes being seen in these communities.

Finally, the third document, “Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Goals,” describes three White Papers – commissioned and sanctioned by Pennsylvania’s State Advisory Group – which lay out the results of Pennsylvania’s three-pronged approach to juvenile justice: community protection, offender accountability and competency development.

View these documents and more from Pennsylvania and other states at [19] CJJ SAG Source™.

National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News

Successes from NJJN Members Across the Country

Illinois Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Appointment of Counsel for Juveniles at Time Petition is Filed

Thanks to advocacy by NJJN member [20] Illinois Juvenile Justice Initiative, the Illinois legislature passed a bill requiring appointment of counsel for juveniles at the time a petition is filed to retain youth in custody. The statute also mandates that juveniles are given adequate time to consult with their attorneys prior to the detention hearing. Additionally, attorneys may file a motion for extra time to consult with their clients before the detention hearing. For the complete text of the bill, click [21] here.

Revised School Code of Conduct in Louisiana Emphasizes Positive Approach to Discipline, Behavior Supports and Interventions, and a Continuum of Responses to Student Behavior

Louisiana’s Recovery School District has revised its Student Code of Conduct to include a more positive approach to youth and discipline. NJJN members [22] Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana (JJPL) and [23] Family and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children (FFLIC) were instrumental in the changes to the code. The new code reduces the amount of instructional time lost to unnecessary removals by reducing the number of school-based infractions that are “suspendable” and “expellable” and by increasing the use of school-based interventions and alternatives to suspension and expulsion. The code is now also aligned with the principles of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports and is infused with useful and family-friendly information for parents and students about their rights in the discipline process. Read the new student code [24] here.

Missouri Juvenile Justice Association Blocks Legislation Requiring DNA Profiling for Juveniles

The [25] Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA), an NJJN member, was able to block legislation that would have required the DNA profiling of all juvenile delinquents charged with a felony. All youth charged with a felony level offense in juvenile court would have had to submit to a cheek swab of their DNA that would have been kept on file in Missouri for the rest of their lives. Thanks to the work of MJJA, the legislation was defeated.

NJJN Welcomes New Partner

NJJN has brought on a new partner organization, the [26] Children’s Defense Fund – New York (CDF-NY). The mission of CDF-NY is to Leave No Child Behind® and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. NJJN partner organizations do not fit the criteria for membership, but are in accordance with NJJN’s mission and agree to provide NJJN and its members with assistance and guidance in their matters of expertise.

NJJN Hosts Annual Forum

NJJN hosted its 6th Annual Forum in Chicago, IL, in June 2008. The event, attended by NJJN members, partners and allies in the field, covered substantive and strategic issues in juvenile justice reform and allowed attendees to take advantage of the wealth of experts and reform leaders in Illinois. The Annual Forum is invitation only; if you are interested in attending next year’s Forum, please contact [27] info@njjn.org.

Resources and Information of Note

NJDC Releases 2007 State Juvenile Justice Legislative Review

The National Juvenile Defender Center has released a survey of state juvenile justice legislation – organized by state and issue – for the 2007 calendar year. In addition to enacted legislation, the document features the status of all pending legislation (last updated on May 31, 2008). The first half of the guide is organized by issues; the second half is categorized by state. Click [28] here to view a PDF of the document.

Report Examines Preteen Crime

Researchers at the Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago have released “Arresting Children: Examining Recent Trends in Preteen Crime.” The report examines data collected by law enforcement agencies across the country, tracks juvenile crime patterns from 1980 through 2006, and finds that the age profile of juvenile offenders has not changed substantially in 25 years. The report does note that in a few offense categories – including sexual offenses, assaults, and weapons possession – increases in preteen crime have outpaced increases among older juveniles. The researchers hypothesize that the juvenile justice system today may be dealing with child behavior problems that were once the responsibility of social welfare agencies, schools, and families, as school authorities and family members often report those types of offenses. Read more [29] here.

Reclaiming Futures Project Directors Issue Report

Reclaiming Futures project directors from around the country have authored a national report, “How to Implement a Model to Get Youth Off Drugs and Out of Crime.” The report outlines lessons learned in creating a six-step model, provides a road map for communities to plan for change, and offers step-by-step instructions and examples on how to implement the directors’ approach to helping teens in trouble. Download the report [30] here.

Urban Institute Reports on Children in the Federal Budget

The Urban Institute has published “Kids’ Share 2008: How Children Fare in the Federal Budget.” This second annual report looks comprehensively at trends in federal spending and tax expenditures on children. The report finds that children are not a budget priority, as has been the case historically, and that the trend continued in 2007 as children's spending did not keep pace with GDP growth. Learn more [31] here.

OJJDP Publishes Report on Addressing Community Gangs

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has released “Best Practices To Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model.” The report provides communities responding to a present or potential youth gang problem with guidance in implementing OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model, describing the research informing the model, noting findings from evaluations of several programs demonstrating the model, and outlining best practices derived from practitioners with experience in planning and implementing the model in their communities. View a PDF of the report [32] here.

IssueLab Features Research on LGBTQ Youth

IssueLab, an online publishing forum for nonprofit research, is currently featuring research on LGBTQ youth. Topics include LGBTQ youth harmed by homelessness, suicidal ideation and attempts among sexual minority youth receiving social services, and the school experiences of LGBTQ youth. Learn more [33] here.

New Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain Available Online

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has launched “A Parent’s Guide to the Teen Brain,” an online guide for parents that translates recent scientific findings on how brain development impacts teenagers’ behavior and personalities into tips and tools for parents. Through video, humorous interactive segments, role-playing and advice from experts, parents can learn how adolescent brain development explains the “normal” teen behaviors that often confound parents – impulsiveness, rebellion, high emotions and risk-taking – and how to use this new information to connect with their teens

The site was created in collaboration with the Treatment Research Institute in Philadelphia, scientists and researchers on substance abuse and addiction, and Boston-based WGBH. View the site [34] here.

Tribal Solicitations Announced at OJJDP

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has announced two FY 2008 tribal-related solicitations, one for the Tribal Youth Program, limited to federally recognized tribes, and one regarding mentoring programs for at-risk tribal youth, limited to national tribal organizations and national organizations. The application deadlines are August 4, 2008. Learn more [35] here.

In the News

Editorials on JJDPA Reauthorization

[36] “Don’t Teach Our Children Crime,” a July 3 editorial in the New York Times, supports the reauthorization of the JJDPA and advocates that the legislation bar states from housing children in adult jails. [37] “Reforming Juvenile Injustice,” a July 2 article in the Huffington Post, also advocates for reauthorization, noting that improvements to the U.S. juvenile justice system are long overdue as current practices often ignore children’s age and amenability to rehabilitation.

Inquiries into OJJDP Grantmaking

In [38] “Justice Dept. Grant Overseer Subject of Criminal Probe,” the Washington Post reports that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation regarding OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores and OJJDP grantmaking procedure. The article covers a June 19 hearing on the subject held by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The investigation and hearing follow media coverage from [39] Youth Today and [40] ABC’s Nightline finding that grant applications ranked lower by OJJDP staff were awarded grants at the discretion of Flores while higher ranked bids did not receive grants. A bipartisan group of senators has now [41] requested via letter that Attorney General Michael Mukasey push for greater transparency of policies related to the grant-making authority of OJJDP and the House Committee on Appropriations has included language in its 2009 budget directing the Justice Department’s inspector general to review OJJDP’s 2007 grants and possibly submit “corrective actions.”

Juvenile Prisoners in Guantanamo Bay

[42] “The war on teen terror” on Salon.com discusses the treatment of juvenile prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and the relevance of international law. Government records indicate that more than 20 detainees under the age of 18 have been brought to the prison camp since 2002 and that three remain in custody at the prison.

New York Opens Court on Weekends

A June 17 editorial in the New York Times, [43] “A Better System for Young Offenders,” commends New York City as a national example after it opens a juvenile court on Saturday and Sunday in order to prevent children from being detained unnecessarily over the weekend.

Upcoming Conferences/Trainings

July 21-23 – The Office of Justice Programs’ National Institute of Justice (NIJ) will host its annual conference in Arlington, VA, addressing youth issues and gathering criminal justice scholars, policymakers and practitioners at the local, state and federal levels to share recent findings from research and technology. Learn more [44] here.

July 27-30 – The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges will host “Navigating the Complex Waterways of the Judicial System” in Norfolk, VA, 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 [45] here.

Aug. 17-23 – The State Relations and Assistance Division (SRAD) of OJJDP and the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Program will hold their annual conferences in Nashville, TN, in the same week to allow participants to attend both events. The OJJDP/SRAD conference will take place Aug. 17-20 and will focus on 3-year planning, special interests, compliance monitoring, and disproportionate minority contact. The EUDL conference will take place Aug. 21-23 with the theme “A Notable History: Forging the Future.” Learn more [46] here.

Nov. 14 – The Future of Children and the Association for Children of New Jersey will host “Vulnerable Populations in the Juvenile Justice System: A Research & Policy Conference.” The day-long symposium will cover four particular aspects of the juvenile justice system: youth in multiple systems; race and gender; policy and practice in the New Jersey region; and a developmental approach to understanding adolescence and crime. Learn more [47] here.

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 [48] 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 [49] info@juvjustice.org.

— Robin Jenkins, 2008-09 CJJ National Chair
— Kitty McCarthy, Editor

[1]: mailto:rjenkins@cccommunicare.org
[2]: http://thomas.loc.gov/
[3]: http://judiciary.senate.gov/meeting_notice.cfm?id=3441
[4]: http://www.juvjustice.org/reauthorization_platform.html
[5]: mailto:andrews@juvjustice.org
[6]: http://www.juvjustice.org/media/resources//resource_216.pdf
[7]: http://www.juvjustice.org/appropriations_2009budget.html
[8]: mailto:andrews@juvjustice.org
[9]: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/smart/pdfs/final_sornaguidelines.pdf
[10]: http://www.thirdway.org/data/product/file/121/Third_Way_Crime_Report.pdf
[11]: http://www.nccd-crc.org/nccd/pubs/ThirdWayFinal.pdf
[12]: mailto:kschatz@ci.burlington.vt.us
[13]: mailto:andrews@juvjustice.org
[14]: http://nirn.fmhi.usf.edu/
[15]: http://nirn.fmhi.usf.edu/resources/publications/Monograph/
[16]: mailto:ferrante@juvjustice.org
[17]: mailto:ferrante@juvjustice.org
[18]: http://www.juvjustice.org/sag.html
[19]: http://www.juvjustice.org/sag.html
[20]: http://www.jjustice.org/
[21]: http://njjn.org/media/resources/public/resource_693.pdf
[22]: http://jjpl.org/new/
[23]: http://www.fflic.org/
[24]: http://njjn.org/issue_153.html
[25]: http://www.mjja.org/
[26]: http://cdfny.org/
[27]: mailto:info@njjn.org
[28]: http://www.njdc.info/pdf/2007_Legislative_Summary.pdf
[29]: http://www.chapinhall.org/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1469
[30]: http://www.reclaimingfutures.org/
[31]: http://www.urban.org/publications/411699.html
[32]: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/222799.pdf
[33]: http://www.issuelab.org/closeup/June_2008
[34]: http://www.drugfree.org/teenbrain/
[35]: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/funding/FundingList.asp
[36]: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/opinion/03thu2.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
[37]: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carol-chodroff/reforming-juvenile-injust_b_110538.html
[38]: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061903132.html?referrer=emailarticle
[39]: http://youthtoday.org/template/index.cfm
[40]: http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=5034642
[41]: http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200806/062708b.html
[42]: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/06/24/juveniles_at_gitmo/index.html
[43]: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/opinion/17tue2.html?ex=1214366400&en=2641641205133c61&ei=5070&emc=eta1
[44]: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/nij_conference/welcome.htm
[45]: http://www.ncjfcj.org/content/view/1082/315/
[46]: http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/news_at_glance/223021/sf_5.html
[47]: http://www.princeton.edu/prior/events/conferences/november-14-2008/index.xml
[48]: mailto:mccarthy@juvjustice.org
[49]: mailto:info@juvjustice.org

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