The National Youth Network (NYN), established in 1997, consists of young people (ages 14 to 21) representing key national and local nonprofit, community-based, school, and juvenile justice organizations. The NYN is implemented and administered under the Teens, Crime, and the Community program, sponsored by the National Crime Prevention Council of Washington, DC. A collaboration of youth-serving organizations along with OJJDP serve as official sponsors of all activities.

To get youth involved in crime prevention, we cannot just talk to them but must listen to what they have to say. Young people can contribute valuable ideas and suggestions if given the chance. Attorney General Janet Reno at youth townhall meeting at OJJDP's national conference, December 11, 1998

The Network works to foster youth-based crime prevention efforts across the Nation. The youth meet regularly to discuss how their organizations can work together to involve more young people in preventing and solving youth problems. The youth of the Network have organized into four working committees: public policy, public relations, events, and publications. Each of the committees is supported by OJJDP staff who volunteer to help the youth set priorities and accomplish goals. These committees meet at least once a month via conference calls. Because youth are usually in school during the day, it is not uncommon for OJJDP staff to participate in conference calls during the evenings and weekends. In addition, a youth leadership team meets weekly via conference call with OJJDP staff to discuss pressing and ongoing NYN issues and concerns.

During FY 1998, the Network and OJJDP developed and released the Youth in Action series of publications that suggest ways in which young people can protect themselves and fight crime. Publications released in 1998 addressed vandalism and graffiti, a school crime watch, drug abuse prevention, and Youth Crime Watch of America.

Members of the Network also participated with Attorney General Reno in a national youth townhall meeting during OJJDP's national conference in December 1998. The Attorney General talked with youth leaders from across the country about school violence, young people's concerns, and youth involvement in crime prevention. James Boyd, a Youth Network member from New York City, was 1 of 14 individuals honored for their contributions to juvenile justice by OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik during the conference.

Network youth also assisted OJJDP in developing a section of the Justice Department's youth-focused Web site and provided OJJDP with a youth perspective during the design and development of the Combating Underage Drinking Program.

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OJJDP Annual Report 1998	October 1999