Texas has new options for holding juveniles awaiting trial and more -- news roundup

• Is moving a juvenile to adult court a mistake?
  As many as 9,000 times a year, U.S. judges move youth into criminal court, making it more likely that they will be held in adult jail. These transfers are meant for those suspected of dangerous offenses, but the Scripps Howard News Service found that only 2 out of 5 these kids stand accused of a violent crime against another person.
• District judges in Texas have new options for holding youth to be tried as adults
  In 29 states a loophole in a federal law allows juveniles facing prosecution as adults to be kept in county jails instead of juvenile detention facilities, where they face higher risks of suicide, physical assault and mental health problems — with limited access to therapy, education and specialized staff for juveniles. But in Texas, a new law passed by the Legislature allows district judges to order youth held at a juvenile facility.

• Using judo and grant funding to keep young people out of the system
  A new federal grant will help Ansonia, Connecticut, bolster programs and look at new ways to keep the city’s youth out of trouble. The funding addresses needs like mentoring, employment, family support, mental health, and diversion programs, like judo, to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system.

• Do you understand "Burden of Proof"?
  The Minnesota Department of Corrections shares a useful primer on the terms used in the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems.

• Juvenile agency in Delaware shifts its efforts
  Delaware's juvenile-justice agency has begun putting more youths into community treatment programs instead of assigning them probation officers to improve their chances of staying out of trouble. The shift has not led to a rise in crime.
• Looking for a safe place where kids can share advice?
  Check out this online resource for teens to check out where they are with drugs and alcohol: checkyourself.com (Hat tip to drugfree.org)

Training and Events

• Global youth justice training institute for teen court or youth court
  This international training institute will assist participants in developing referral processes for local juvenile justice diversion programs and train youth volunteers to contribute to these programs. Topics range from understanding confidentiality issues to writing grants.
  When: December 6-8
  Where: Las Vegas
  Register online
• Adolescent mental health treatment and department of juvenile justice partnerships
  This webinar, about children in the juvenile justice system, will include the key components of partnerships between mental health systems and maximizing program sustainability. Sponsored by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Service Administration’s Traumatic Brain Injury Technical Assistance Center.
  When: December 13 from 2-3:30 pm (EST)
  Register online

Lori Howell is a Senior Associate at Prichard Communications. She is a seasoned public affairs practitioner with a background in public policy, fundraising, and education. Lori helps clients with online editorial services, media relations, and publications. Before joining Prichard Communications, she served as chief of staff for Greg Macpherson, a former Oregon state legislator, an account executive for the Northwest Evaluation Association, a nonprofit educational testing consortium, and once taught English in Choshi, Japan.