Juvenile Justice Reform with Tyler the Poodle and More; News Roundup

Juvenile Justice Reform

• Summer Work Program Brings Change; Teens Congratulated for Personal Growth (JacksonSun.com)
  Jackson, Tennessee Mayor Jerry Gist’s Gang Prevention Task Force gave jobs to 43 "at-risk" youth between the ages of 15 and 18 at different locations across Madison County. The young people worked and received mentoring. The county has seen a much lower juvenile arrest rate during this same period.
• Project to Help Juveniles Make Successful Transition (CarmiTimes.com)
  The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission on Tuesday announced the start of a demonstration project to reduce the recidivism and improve the outcomes of juvenile offenders. The project will provide intensive reintegration services to help youth transition back into their communities.
• Prosecutors Share Details of Juvenile Justice System (EnidNews.com)
  Juvenile justice is one of the most difficult parts of the law, but a necessary one designed to do what is in the best interests of the children involved.
• Kids in Court Have a Friend in Tyler the Poodle (PNJ.com)
  Tyler [the poodle] is one of thousands of certified pet-therapy dogs nationwide, but rather than visiting people in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice centers, schools or libraries, he helps kids in the juvenile court system.
• Ohio Delegation Visits NJ To Study Juvenile Detention Reform Efforts (NJToday.net)
  A delegation from the state of Ohio including judges, court administrators, representative from the Ohio Department of Youth Services, and other stakeholders, are in New Jersey to attend a two-day working session designed to help Ohio replicate New Jersey’s success in juvenile detention reform.

Jobs, Grants, Events and Webinars

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Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment

• For Teenage Smokers, Removing the Allure of the Pack (The New York Times)
  Last year, 18.7 percent of high school seniors were smokers — almost the same as the percentage of teenagers who are obese. But it may be even more important to attack teenage smoking than obesity.
• Study: Child Abuse Causes Depression and Substance Abuse (The Raw Story)
  Children who suffer or witness physical abuse undergo changes to their brain structure that may predispose them to depression and substance abuse later in life, a study said Wednesday.

David Backes writes the Friday news roundup for Reclaiming Futures and contributes articles about juvenile justice reform and adolescent substance abuse treatment to ReclaimingFutures.org. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Santa Clara University. David works as an account executive for Prichard Communications.