Making a Difference for Teens in Rowan County, NC (and More) -- News Roundup

• Reclaiming Futures-Rowan County Makes a Difference for Teens
  In 2008, law enforcement agencies in the United States arrested more than 2 million people under the age of 18, according to the FBI. The best way to address youth crime, experts say, is to get to the heart of the problem — be it substance abuse, family issues or mental health problems. In the Salisbury Times, Shavonne Potts tells the story of Reclaiming Futures showing teens they care in Rowan County, North Carolina.
• Texas’ Progress on Juvenile Justice
  A New York Times editorial celebrates a state juvenile justice system that is making impressive strides, when it was in chaos just a few years ago. How? Troubled children receive guidance and rehabilitation services in or near their communities, where they have support from families, churches and other local organizations. (Hat tip to Youth Transition Funders Group.)

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Updates Briefing Book
  The online Statistical Briefing Book (SSB) offers easy access to a wealth of information about juvenile crime and victimization and about youth involved in the juvenile justice system, including reliable answers to most frequently asked questions from media, policymakers, and the general public. The SBB was recently updated with the latest available data on juvenile court statistics, the Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement, the National Disproportionate Minority Contact Databook, child maltreatment, state and county juvenile court case counts, and more.
• CJJ Northeast Region Conference: Changing the Face of Juvenile Justice 
  Follow the link to register by September 9, 2011. Topics will include the mental health needs of youth in the juvenile justice system, alternatives to secure juvenile detention, eliminating racial and ethnic disparities, and more.

  When: September 30-October 1, 2011
  Where: Radisson Hotel Manchester Downtown, New Hampshire
  Hosted by: New Hampshire State Advisory Group
  Cost: Free of Charge

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.