Printer-Friendly Version (January/February 2005) National Truancy Conference Focuses on Building Partnerships More than 700 participants attended a national conference on truancy, held in Washington, DC, on December 6–8, 2004. The conference, titled "Partnering To Prevent Truancy: A National Priority," was cosponsored by the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education. J. Robert Flores, Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and Deborah A. Price, Deputy Under Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, served as conference cohosts. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, and Assistant Attorney General Deborah J. Daniels were among the featured speakers at the event. Recognizing that truancy is a complex problem and that focusing on attendance alone is not enough, the conference organizers highlighted efforts to address the "three A's"—Attendance, Attachment, and Achievement. In her opening remarks, Assistant Attorney General Daniels spoke about the importance of developing innovative approaches to address truancy. "Our collective challenge must be to think about truancy in new ways." Ms. Daniels introduced Deputy Attorney General James B. Comey, who spoke on the role of law enforcement and the judicial system in intervening in truancy. Mr. Comey cited truancy courts, in which judges impose assignments rather than sentences on truant youth, as an example of "compassionate compulsion."
The plenary speaker for the first day of the conference was Robert Wm. Blum, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Blum, who was introduced by William Modzeleski, Associate Deputy Under Secretary, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, presented findings from the Wingspread Declaration Consensus Group. The Wingspread Group—which is composed of more than 20 educators, researchers, policymakers, and advocates—studies the role of school connectedness in the lives of youth. Dr. Blum's presentation highlighted findings that documented the pivotal role of school connectedness in reducing youth's truancy and other problematic behaviors (such as teen pregnancy and substance abuse). The second day of the conference opened with remarks from Secretary Paige, who noted the challenge faced by schools and communities. "We must give our students a sense of brotherhood and belonging in our schools, so they do not look for it on the street corners. We must get them to clearly see the inescapable link between school and success. It's up to us to keep them excited, engaged and—most importantly—enrolled." Susie Kay, Founder and President of the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund, also spoke during the morning session. In keeping with President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative, the conference emphasized the role of faith leaders and faith-based organizations in addressing truancy. Plenary speaker Tony Evans, Th.D., Founder and President of The Urban Alternative, a national organization dedicated to bringing about spiritual renewal in urban America through the church, addressed the attendees in a lunchtime presentation during the second day of the conference. The conference closed with remarks from Wintley Phipps, M.Div., Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc. In his address, Mr. Phipps spoke about the power of a dream in the lives of young people.
In addition to the plenary sessions, the conference consisted of workshops, roundtable discussions, and exhibits that presented practical strategies for achieving successful outcomes to the truancy problem in schools and communities. Attendees, who included educators, teachers, researchers, law enforcement officers, and criminal justice practitioners from across the nation, participated in a wide range of workshops that highlighted evidence-based and promising programs. Among the topics addressed were family involvement, motivating at-risk youth, collaboration building, and program evaluation. The workshops placed particular emphasis on programs that target underserved populations, such as youth with disabilities, tribal youth, children in foster care, immigrant youth, and youth reentering the community from the juvenile justice system. Among the programs highlighted during the conference workshops was the Truancy Reduction Demonstration Program. Developed and supported by OJJDP, together with the Office of Justice Programs' Community Capacity Development Office (through its Weed and Seed Initiative) and the Department of Education's Office for Safe and Drug-Free Schools, the Truancy Reduction Demonstration Program supports demonstration program models targeting different populations and different approaches. Each demonstration program promotes system reform and accountability, relies on a continuum of services to address the needs of children and adolescents who are truant, includes data collection and evaluation, and emphasizes community education and awareness. Administrator Flores summed up his goals for the conference this way: "Truancy is a multifaceted problem that requires comprehensive responses. Partnerships among schools and communities, service providers and law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and faith-based organizations are essential to addressing this issue. Truancy costs students more than just an education, it costs them their future. It is our hope that this conference has helped to build and enhance the partnerships needed to ensure that every child not only succeeds in school, but also has the opportunity to become a productive, healthy, and happy adult." To view the conference program, which includes the agenda, speaker biographies, lists of speakers and attendees, and other details, go to https://conference.aspensys.com/truancy/PDF/Programpostconference.pdf. View photos from the conference. OJJDP Introduces Electronic Newsletter This January/February 2005 issue of OJJDP News @ a Glance is the first to be disseminated entirely electronically. Now entering its fourth year of publication, the bimonthly News @ a Glance will continue to provide a convenient overview of news from OJJDP. As always, issues will be available on OJJDP's Web site. Beginning in 2005, all subscribers will receive their issues via e-mail. Converting from print to all-electronic dissemination offers many advantages. News can reach its audience faster. Stories can be fresher, more forward-looking. Indepth links to other online resources are possible. Readers will find expanded coverage of conferences and other events, more photos, and additional features that will make News @ a Glance even more useful. A new e-mail feature makes it easy to share an issue with a colleague. Not yet a subscriber? It's easy to join the thousands of readers who already receive the electronic OJJDP News @ a Glance. Subscribe here. Girls Study Group Launches Web Site The Girls Study Group Web site (girlsstudygroup.rti.org) is a new online resource for those interested in the problem of female delinquency. Supported by a cooperative agreement between RTI International and OJJDP, the Girls Study Group is an interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners convened by OJJDP to develop a comprehensive research foundation for understanding and responding to girls' involvement in delinquency. The project's ultimate goal is to provide communities with the research and other information they need to make sound decisions about how best to prevent and reduce delinquency and violence by girls. The recently launched Girls Study Group Web site will serve as the group's primary venue for disseminating information to the field. The site is organized into three main sections:
The Web site also provides an opportunity for members of the field to submit their comments, suggestions, and recommendations. The Girls Study Group encourages the involvement of researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and others who are interested in the issue of girls' delinquency. New Web Site Documents Hate Crimes Involving Juveniles NIBRS Hate Crimes 1995–2000: Juvenile Victims and Offenders presents a wealth of data on bias (hate) crimes involving juvenile victims and offenders, drawn from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). The site was compiled by James J. Nolan, III, West Virginia University; F. Carson Mencken, Baylor University; and Jack McDevitt, Northeastern University. An OJJDP grant to West Virginia University supported the project. The site provides a statistical overview of bias crime incidents, including data on victim and offender characteristics (age, gender, race-ethnicity), type of bias and offense, location, weapons, time of day, victim injuries, and offender use of alcohol or drugs. Special sections focus on bias crimes that occur at school and those that involve religious or sexual orientation bias. The site's analytical section presents tables and figures generated from NIBRS data. The tables can be copied and pasted into a Microsoft Excel file so that users can create their own graphics or conduct additional analysis. In addition, ready-to-use datasets and codebooks are available for download. This site is one of several featured in the OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book related links section. These links provide direct access to a variety of Web-based statistical resources on juvenile offending, victimization of juveniles, and involvement of youth in the juvenile justice system. New Publications All publications may be viewed and downloaded at ojjdp.ncjrs.org/publications. Print publications may also be ordered from the Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse (call 800–851–3420 or order online at puborder.ncjrs.org). Coming Soon: OJJDP Annual Report 2003–2004. Featured Series: Portable Guides to Investigating Child Abuse In response to requests from law enforcement jurisdictions across the United States for guidelines on investigating child abuse and neglect, OJJDP developed a series of Portable Guides to Investigating Child Abuse. The Office has recently reprinted three titles in the series: Interviewing Child Witnesses and Victims of Sexual Abuse, Criminal Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse, and Recognizing When a Child's Injury or Illness Is Caused by Abuse. In all, there are currently 13 Guides in the series, each addressing a specific aspect of investigating a suspected case of child abuse or neglect. Written by recognized experts, the Guides present fundamental information in straightforward, uncomplicated language. The Guides are compact (5 by 9 inches), for easy storage in the glove compartment of a police cruiser, and concise (16 to 24 pages), for quick reference. Each Guide includes a list of supplemental readings and contact information for organizations that offer training or resources. For a complete list of the Guides, go to the Publications Search page of the OJJDP Web site and select Series: Portable Guides to Investigating Child Abuse. New Online: State
Ombudsman Programs. Discusses the role of an ombudsman
for children, youth, and families and describes different types
of ombudsman programs in several states. Funding Update The following is a brief summary of OJJDP's recent funding activities. Be sure to check the Current Funding section of the OJJDP Web site for the latest news on OJJDP funding opportunities. To receive e-mail notification of new funding opportunities, subscribe to JUVJUST. Formula and Block Grants OJJDP is requesting applications from eligible states for several FY 2005 formula and block grants. For purposes of funding eligibility, "states" usually also encompass U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. Only the agency designated by the chief executive (i.e., the Governor) of each state is eligible to apply for formula and block grant funds. The Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) Program, authorized by the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002, helps states develop programs that promote greater accountability among juvenile offenders and in the juvenile justice system. Through the JABG program, funds are provided as block grants to states. Local and tribal governments can then apply to the states for funds to support local accountability programs. Applications for the JABG Program are due February 28, 2005. The purpose of the Formula Grants Program is to support state and local delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements. Through this program, OJJDP provides funds directly to states to help them implement comprehensive juvenile justice plans based on detailed studies of needs in their jurisdictions. Applications for the Formula Grants Program are due March 31, 2005. The Insular Area Grants Program, a component of the Formula Grants Program, supports delinquency prevention and intervention efforts and juvenile justice system improvements in selected U.S. territories (the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Applications for this program are due March 31, 2005. The Title V Community Prevention Grants Program (Title V) helps localities develop and implement collaborative, community-based delinquency prevention plans. OJJDP awards Title V grants to states based on the relative size of the population subject to original juvenile court jurisdiction. The states, in turn, award the funds to units of local government to implement delinquency prevention plans that meet local needs. Applications from the states for the Title V Program are due March 31, 2005. Other Funding News On Wednesday, December 8, 2004, the President signed into law H.R. 4818, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2005," which provides FY 2005 appropriations for 9 of the 13 regular appropriations bills, including appropriations for the U.S. Department of Justice. The Act contained several important provisions for juvenile justice programs, including $84 million for OJJDP's Formula Grants Program, $55 million for the JABG Program, $25 million for the Enforcing the Underage Drinking Laws Grants Program, $25 million for the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (administered by OJP's Bureau of Justice Assistance with support from OJJDP and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), $15 million for juvenile mentoring programs, and $10 million each for the Safe Start Program and the Tribal Youth Program. Because all appropriated funds will be subject to a governmentwide rescission of approximately 1 percent, the actual funds available will be less than amounts noted here. Information about funding opportunities related to these appropriations (some of which are described above) will be posted on the OJJDP Web site as it becomes available. News From the Coordinating Council The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention—an independent body within the executive branch of the federal government—brings together leaders of youth-serving federal agencies and representatives from youth-focused disciplines to coordinate federal programs related to delinquency prevention, missing and exploited children, and the detention/care of unaccompanied juveniles. The Council meets quarterly in Washington, DC. The Council's September 10, 2004, meeting focused on federal custody of juveniles. Members heard presentations on juveniles in the federal criminal justice and prison systems, core requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002, and juvenile justice in Indian Country. Timothy Wight, then OJJDP's Director for Concentration of Federal Efforts, introduced the Council's new Web site (juvenilecouncil.gov). At the December 3, 2004, meeting, Council members heard presentations on the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and a variety of youth workforce training programs. The Council's quarterly meetings are open to the public. Notices about upcoming meetings are featured in the Federal Register. The next meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2005. Juvenilecouncil.gov includes detailed information about the Council's mission, meeting announcements and summaries, and links to related resources. Information about the Council is also available from Bob Samuels, OJJDP's Acting Director for Concentration of Federal Efforts, 202–307–1357, Bob.Samuels@usdoj.gov.
News From the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (formerly the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee [JJAC]) is a consultative body established by the 2002 reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Committee members, who are nominated by Governors and appointed by the OJJDP Administrator, are from the State Advisory Groups, which take part in developing and implementing the juvenile justice plans states must submit to OJJDP to receive formula grant funds. The Committee advises the President and Congress on matters related to juvenile justice, evaluates the progress and accomplishments of juvenile justice activities and projects, and advises the OJJDP Administrator on the work of OJJDP. It prepares two annual reports, one to the President and Congress and another to the OJJDP Administrator. During the Advisory Committee's inaugural meeting in January 2004, members elected officers, established committees, and began to develop recommendations for the first annual reports. The Committee met again in July and December 2004 to finalize recommendations. Scheduled for release in early 2005, both annual reports emphasize the importance of continuing to focus on delinquency prevention and intervention efforts. The Advisory Committee's next meeting is scheduled for April 2005. Observers may attend open sessions only. Meeting summaries and additional information are available on the Advisory Committee's page of the OJJDP Web site (ojjdp.ncjrs.org/jjac). |
OJJDP
soon will release OJJDP Annual Report 2003–2004, which
describes the Office's activities and accomplishments during fiscal
years (FY) 2003 and 2004. During this period, OJJDP implemented
significant changes in its programs resulting from the reauthorization
of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The Office
also completed a reorganization that integrated research and other
critical functions with program-related activities. OJJDP addressed
a broad array of problems during the past 2 years. Priority areas
included child sexual exploitation, female delinquency, gangs,
and truancy. The activities described in this report illustrate
the Office's continuing commitment to supporting programs that
have the greatest potential for combating delinquency, reducing
the victimization of children, and improving the juvenile justice
system. The report also summarizes the latest information available
on juveniles taken into custody and lists OJJDP publications released
during FY 2003–2004. Release of OJJDP Annual Report 2003–2004 will
be announced on the State Contacts | Publications | Statistics | Events