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Positive Youth Development: Youth Lead Change in Chicago Schools

[About a month ago we published a post titled, School-to-Prison Pipeline: Chicago Youth Calling for a Dollars and Sense Policy, in which a guest columnist wrote about a group of Chicago high school students who had organized to protest against zero tolerance discipline policies. Their report, Failed Policies, Broken Futures: the True Cost of Zero Tolerance in Chicago, got a lot of attention in the media, including a story by NPR. --Ed.]
juvenile-justice-system_cover-of-failed-policies-broken-futures-reportVoices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE) is a youth-led collaborative  made up of seven community organizations and eight high schools across the city of Chicago working to lower the dropout rate and increase college readiness in our schools. As youth leaders with Logan Square Neighborhood Association (one of the organizations involved in VOYCE), we want to share what being youth leaders in our school and community has meant to us. Being part of VOYCE has brought many changes in our lives, in our school, and in our community.
One question that adults sometimes ask is, “How do you get youth involved?” In our experience, there is a big difference between attending your first meeting and actually staying involved and becoming a youth leader. Many of us get involved because we are struggling in school and want to find a way to improve, or, simply because we have friends who are in VOYCE.
But we stay because we feel like we are a part of something important.

Poll: Drug Abuse a Top Health Concern for Kids (and More) -- News Roundup

  • Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Practices
    Treatment funding is being increasingly tied to outcomes, a trend expected to continue as the integration of behavioral health with primary care moves forward in the context of healthcare reform. Learn more from the Addiction Technology Transfer Center of New England about achieving desired client outcomes in part 2 of a 3-part series.
  • Poll: Drug Abuse Equals Childhood Obesity as Top Health Concern for Kids
    On Aug. 15th, the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital released the results of its 5th annual national poll, in which Americans rated drug abuse and childhood obesity as the number one health concern for our nation’s youth. This is important news because it shows that drug abuse is now on the radar screens of people throughout the country and that Americans are very concerned about this issue. Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America issues a statement in response. (Hat tip to Christa Myers.)

The U.K. Youth Riots - What Do Young People Think? (Roundup)

juvenile-justice-sytem_old-TVWhat did young people in the U.K. think about the recent riots in the U.K.?  Here's a few answers (one free registration required for most items):

  • Young people unite to air their views on riots
    "Young people turned out in their scores in central London as part of an event aimed at giving them the opportunity to air their views on the recent unrest and its causes."
  • Young people must be consulted on the causes of violence
    "Young people from areas affected by violence and looting have spoken out to condemn the riots and have called for more attention to be placed on young voices as the causes of the outbreaks begin to be examined." (No log-in required.)
  • Young people blame riots on "mindless vandalism"
    "This month's rioting was caused by "mindless vandalism" rather than cuts to youth services and inequality, according to a survey of young people."
  • U.K. Children's Minister Denies Link Between Riots and Youth Cuts
    He said "current reports estimate three-quarters of those charged in relation to the riots are over 18, and it would be wrong to condemn a whole generation of young people." He went on to say that, "Recent events highlight the importance of ensuring a 'positive for youth' mindset is promoted so young people get the credit they deserve for the good work they do," he said.

    In other words, instead of an "unfunded mandate," he's talking about an "unfunded mindset" for youth.

Apply Now: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Learning Collaborative

juvenile-justice-system_pensive-youth"Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) is an evidence-based intervention for children and families whose level of conflict, coercion, and aggression have resulted in or placed them at-risk for physical abuse or related safety concerns," writes Paul Savery.
He also forwarded the following: 

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is pleased to release the 2011–2012 Alternatives for Families: A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT) Learning Collaborative Information and Application Packet. AF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment designed to improve the relationships between children and their caregivers. AF-CBT addresses concerns such as harsh physical discipline/punishment as well as child/family aggression and family interactions characterized by hostile interactions and conflict.  
 
The Information packet contains critical information to help you and your organization understand the benefits of participating in the 2011-20112 AF_CBT Learning Collaborative. All interested in participating should thoroughly read the attached Information Packet and follow the directions included for submitting the Notification of Interest (by Monday, August 22, 2011) and the Online Application (by Friday, September 2, 2011).

You can learn more on the NCTSN website. If you have further questions, please contact Lauren Simone at lauren.simone@duke.edu.
 
Hurry! Note that deadline for the NOI: Monday, August 22, 2011!

On "Scared Straight" -- From a Personal Experience

juvenile-justice-system_televisionI just watched the first episode of this season of A&E’s “Beyond Scared Straight.” This was my first exposure to the show. JJIE.org has covered the details of this program and experts have weighed in about it in this space, from knowledgeable, yet slightly removed positions. [Scroll down for related posts on the Reclaiming Futures blog. -- Ed.]
For me, however, it was a strange and personal experience. Watching the show I was flooded by memories of my own time in prison, both as a young man and as an older prisoner in contact with “at-risk youth.” I felt waves of emotion, mostly negative, as I watched fear and intimidation used, along with a smattering of humane connection, to bring about change in these young people.
When I first arrived at the youth prison in Alto (a notorious prison at the time in north Georgia) in 1985, I was placed in a dorm. The officer told us that if we were fighting and refused to stop when he called “break,” he would “bust our ‘tater” with his billy club.
This same officer, after catching me in an infraction, had me squat and walk around the dorm, quacking like a duck. I did this because I feared refusing and facing more severe punishment. This memory came back to me as I watched a similar scene on the show. The use of mindless exercise as punishment seemed similarly sadistic to me. I do not recall that this experience had any positive effect on me. Conversely, I instead became more skilled at not getting caught.

10-Step Guide to Recidivism Reduction for Probation Departments, and More: a Roundup

  • juvenile-justice-reform_old-TVIs Our Racial Gap Becoming a Generation Gap?
    A provocative post from PolicyLink. Nearly half of the nation's young people are of color, but over 80 percent of America's seniors are white. "For the first time," the author argues, "America's seniors, business leaders, and elected officials simply do not see themselves in the faces of today's young. For many, this signals less obligation and commitment to the kinds of programs and resources that would help provide a boost for the next generation."
  • Addiction: What Gets Us Hooked?
    The title says it all. (H/t to Paul Savery.)
  • OJJDP Seeks Nominations for Awards at October Conference
    The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is seeking nominations for awards in four categories, to be given out at its fall conference, scheduled for October 12-14, 2011. UPDATE August 18: Deadline has been extended to August 29, 2011.

U.K. Riots - Talking Points and Observations from Three Youth Advocates

positive-youth-development_youth-in-hoodiesThere's no question that the riots in the U.K. last week -- mostly perpetrated by young people and young adults -- generated a lot of outrage on both sides of the Atlantic.
One of the hot topics in the U.K. was Prime Minister David Cameron's about-face. In 2006, he gave a speech designed to "reposition his party as tough on the causes of crime, urging a greater focus on the family and on the social influences driving children to offend," rather than on police crackdowns. This became known as his "Hug a Hoodie" campaign (#hugahoodie suddenly became a very popular hashtag on Twitter last week). But in the wake of the riots, Cameron promised the rioters, "We will track you down, we will find you, we will charge you, we will punish you." (You can see a fairly balanced AP story on Cameron's about-face and the politics of responses to youth crime in the Britain and the U.S. here.)
Commenters in the United States have also been quick to pile on their scorn for "soft on crime" approaches, so I thought it would be useful to hear more thoughtful responses from youth experts familiar with youth in the juvenile justice system and common policy responses. Several were kind enough to email me their quick thoughts:

Restorative Justice: A Working Guide for Schools

juvenle-justice-system_restorative-justice-coverLast week, School Health Services Coalition, a division of Alameda County Health Care Services Agency in California, released Restorative Justice: A Working Guide for Our Schools. [Be patient: the document can take a bit to load in your browser. --Ed.] The publication is a resource for anyone who seeks to implement restorative justice in the school setting. The 43 page PDF covers the following:

  • Introduction to restorative justice and its application to schools
  • Use of the approach on three levels (1) as a school-wide prevention practice, (2) to manage difficulties, and (3) for intense intervention
  • Benefits, outcomes and impacts from current evaluative reports
  • Guidance on initiating restorative justice at the school or district level
  • Abstracts of publications and websites for additional information and support.

New Office To Coordinate Tribal and Federal Alcohol and Substance Abuse Efforts

via JUVJUST:
adolescent-substance-abuse-treatment_american-flag-with-Native-AmericanOn July 29, 2011, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and Attorney General Eric Holder signed a memorandum of agreement to combat alcohol and substance abuse among American Indian/Alaska Native tribes by establishing a office within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The new Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse, created as a result of the passage of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010, will coordinate the efforts of American Indian and Alaskan Native communities and federal agencies to address alcohol and substance abuse.
 
As part of its substance abuse efforts, the Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse will emphasize programs geared toward reaching youth and offering alternatives to incarceration.
 
 
 Photo: ~Sage~ under Creative Commons license.

Apply Now for Reclaiming Futures Judicial Training

 
juvenile-court_judges-crossing-streetMaking change in the juvenile justice system to help teens with drug and alcohol problems requires a strong community leader who can convene diverse players, some of whom are not used to working together. Judges are uniquely placed to take on this role.
 
That's why we're offering two trainings for juvenile court judges new to the Reclaiming Futures model, titled, "Leading Change in the Juvenile Justice System for Teens with Drug and Alcohol Problems." (see below for details). 

Could UK-Style Riots Happen in U.S. Cities Next?

juvenile-justice-system_fireman-do-not-cross-linejuvenile-justice-system_youth-watching-burning-buildingIt has been a bad week in the United States in a bad year marked by remarkable international turmoil. The recession and high unemployment persist at a time when the powerless seemed poised to fight back, creating a recipe for insurrection—as happened first  in the Middle East and now in Great Britain.
According to Wednesday’s (August 9) Washington Post editorial, “the common factors [sparking the riots] include high unemployment, resentment toward a prosperous and seemingly impenetrable upper class, and hatred of the police.”
All that sounds only too familiar, so should the United States expect riots here next? Are recent instances of mob violence in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and Montgomery County Maryland  leading edges of a wave of violence here?

The U.K. Riots and How to Help Youth in the Justice System Use Their Powers for Good (VIDEO)

juvenile-justice-system_U.K.-policeman-kneels-on-back-of-teenagerIn the wake of the images and footage we've all seen coming out of the U.K. this week, as teens and young adults rioted and looted in London and other cities, it will be hard for the general public to remember that young people who commit crimes have strengths -- and have something to offer.
Youth should, of course, be held accountable for their actions. But youth workers in Britain understand that fear of teens as a result of the riots may well set the field back by years (e.g., "Youth charities blast riots as disastrous for image of young people"), especially if the only response is a punitive, nail-'em-and-a-jail-'em-response that neglects to provide appropriate supportive services that will help young people be successfull.
And I expect that fear of young people will rise in the United States, too. Which is why this brief, two-minute video interview (below) with Connie Flanagan, a national expert on engaging troubled youth in civic life, is timely.
A professor of Youth Civic Development at Penn State University the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ms. Flanagan speaks about the importance of giving youth in the juvenile justice system the opportunity to work together with adults on projects that benefit their communities. Only then do they get a chance to see that what they do can change their communities for the better -- they can use their powers for good, in other words.
(I should point out that Ms. Flanagan was interviewed in May, well before the riots, and was addressing a general question about how to help youth in the juvenile justice system. I just happen to think that what she said is a helpful reminder about how we can work to make sure that youth feel that they matter, and that they're invested enough in their communities so that they don't engage in riots.)
Watch the video after the jump:
 

Suspensions, Zero Tolerance and the Woodshed

juvenile-justice-reform_schoolbusWhen my husband Steve was in middle school, he got caught one day sneaking off campus. The principal later called him to the office on the intercom. Punishment, a paddling, was in waiting and everyone knew it, so the students responded with an “Ooooohh!”
This otherwise good student was suddenly famous. In one stroke of brilliance, and in one good spanking, he achieved what every other kid in his Georgia school sought — coolness — the very opposite of the school’s intent.
Gone, mostly, are the days of paddling — just as well, it didn’t seem to work anyway – replaced by more… prosaic punishments.
Nowadays, schools often use the dreaded in-and out-of-school suspensions. The question is, though, are they any more effective than a well- planed and wielded paddle?
Michael Thompson, the director of the Council of State Government’s Justice Center, apparently thinks not. He’s questioned the effectiveness of suspensions in his recent study entitled Breaking Schools’ Rules: A Statewide Study of How School Discipline Relates to Students’ Success and Juvenile Justice Involvement. He and other researchers looked into the discipline practices of school districts in Texas affecting over one million students and found the practice simply isn’t working.

Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment: NIATx Business Practices for the Future Learning Collaborative

adolescent-substance-abuse-treatment_learn-signNIATx is pleased to announce a second round of the Business Practices of the Future Learning Collaborative—Fee-for-Service. This learning collaborative will focus on giving behavioral healthcare providers, including adolescent substance abuse treatment providers, the skills they need to bill third-party payers for their services.  
 
Already billing insurance companies? We can help you do it better. Participants will receive support in either creating a billing system from scratch or improving collections for an existing billing system, using the NIATx Third-party Billing Guide, Second Edition, and other NIATx resources, as a guide.
 
Participants found the first round of this learning collaborative an eye-opener, busting some of the myths that many providers have about billing insurance companies. For example, they learned that you can bill for a service without a contract, by setting up a single case agreement. And you don’t need to purchase an expensive electronic medical record system in order to start billing. (See the billing guide, linked above, to learn how to do this – and more.)
 
For more information, join the informational call:
Wednesday, August 24, 2011, 2:00 pm EST/1:00 pm CST
Call-in number: 1-866-642-1665
Passcode: 213469#

Juvenile Justice Youth Shortchanged by Overloaded Juvenile Defense Caseloads

juvenile-justice-reform_system-overload-coverFocusing on changing youth behavior is important. However, youth success also depends on what we as adults do, particularly when it comes to youth who come in contact with the justice system. The Justice Policy Institute’s new report, “System Overload,” shows how our shortchanging of public defender systems can have significant and lasting negative affects for both youth and adults who rely on them.
The right to effective counsel, regardless of ability to pay, is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. This includes youth facing juvenile delinquency proceedings. However, a lack of financial resources for public defenders means that attorneys don’t have enough time for each case. Youth may not see their attorney until shortly before a hearing, or their public defender’s office might not have funding for investigators to look into the facts around the alleged offense. The following are some possible consequences of not having a robust public defender system:

Amy Winehouse and Addiction

adolescent-substance-abuse-treatmentAmy Winehouse died of addiction. Though toxicology reports are so far inconclusive, we can look at her life and know the cause of her death. Many of us know what addiction looks like up close and personal and most, if not all of us know what addiction looks like from the gripping images of famous people struggling in front of us.
Hopefully, we can convert this recent casualty into an opportunity for learning, and strive to create a better way to prevent this treatable chronic health condition called addiction. We know that people can and do recover!
Those who do not survive addiction leave behind grieving families, friends and communities who may question what they could have done differently. To this tremendously agonizing question there is no single or simple answer. We can, however, start to look at addiction differently and recognize that with support, awareness, allies and hope — recovery is possible and it benefits everyone.
We know from the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) and others that:

Spotlight on Safety of Mental Health Workers (and More) -- News Roundup

  • Troubled Teenager's Path to Murder Charge
    The New York Times reports on endangered workers. Is the Massachusetts mental health system in a crisis that, among other problems, creates worrisome risks of violent tragedy?
  • The Legal Rights of LGBT Youth in State Custody 
    This article provides a guide for advocates representing LGBT youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. All youth in state custody, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, are guaranteed rights to physical safety and prevention of psychological harm under the Constitution and state laws.  
  • New Parent Helpline Provides Support, Resources For Teen Substance Abuse 
    When parents find out their teen is abusing drugs or alcohol, the family’s immediate focus is generally on getting help for the teen. But parents are often in great need of help themselves. A new toll-free telephone helpline is providing that assistance.

Juvenile Justice Reform and the Stages of Systems Change

juvenile-justic-reform_multi-colored-leafIn the interviews we’ve conducted for our evaluation of six Reclaiming Futures sites in North Carolina, we often hear the initiative characterized as “exciting” and “promising,” but also as complex, challenging and messy. Those of you who are living Reclaiming Futures on a day-to-day basis recognize that changing systems is a process full of ups and downs, wins and setbacks. It’s easy to lose track of the larger progress that your initiative is making in improving the lives of youth who come through the justice system.
 
Collectively, the two of us have close to 25 years of experience evaluating programs and initiatives. Through this experience, we’ve learned that one of the most important benefits that evaluation can bring is a clearer, broader picture of what’s happening on the ground. Toward that end, we have developed a model of the “stages of development” that occur for systems-change initiatives like Reclaiming Futures. 
 
The premise of the model is that a coalition carrying out systems-change work passes through five distinct stages at predictable points in its life course. We’ve named these stages:

  1. initiation
  2. team development
  3. initial impact
  4. extending the impact
  5. sustaining the process of innovation and reform

 
The nature of a coalition’s work shifts considerably from one stage to the next. Moreover, each stage has a unique set of “developmental tasks” that must be mastered if the initiative is to succeed in moving on to later stages.

National Reentry Resource Center releases FAQs on Juvenile Justice & Reentry

juvenile-reentry_shadow-of-teenagerThe National Reentry Resource Center (NRRC), a project of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, recently published a list of frequently asked questions and answers on juvenile justice and reentry.

As many as 100,000 youth under the age of 18 are released from juvenile correctional facilities every year. These young people often return to their communities with complex needs, such as physical and behavioral health issues and barriers to education and employment. The FAQ provides information on:

  • the organization of the juvenile justice system and its impact on reentry;
  • the characteristics of youth committed to out-of-home placement;
  • the challenges many youth face as they return from placement;
  • and the policies and practices that are key to successful reentry.

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