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Conference Highlights From Tuesday, January 10

The first day of the conference, which focused on "Setting the Stage: Research Trends and Emerging Issues," was highlighted by an opening ceremony featuring remarks by First Lady Laura Bush. A midday plenary session, "Identifying Youth With the Greatest Need and Strengthening Families To Develop Our Nation's Youth," included speeches by Claude A. Allen, Former Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, and Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales introduced the First Lady, and Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs, Regina Schofield, served as moderator for the two events. Tuesday's events ended on an entertaining and informative note with a Tribal Youth Program Cultural Event in the evening.

In his welcoming comments to Mrs. Bush on Tuesday morning, Attorney General Gonzales said "We are all gathered here today in order to remove obstacles that keep children from realizing their dreams. I'm concerned that young people feel safer on the streets than they do in their homes." He cited Helping America's Youth, the initiative headed by the First Lady, as an effective strategy for improving the lives of children.

The First Lady began by thanking conference participants "for everything you do to help children and teenagers. Whether you work in social service or education, or law enforcement, your work is vital to helping young people stay on the right path so they can set great goals for themselves, and so they can develop the confidence to achieve those goals."

"Young people need positive influences in their lives," continued Mrs. Bush. "And with the Helping America's Youth initiative, we can make sure that happens. We want every child to be surrounded by caring adults who provide love, advice, and encouragement, and who can serve as good role models. We're taking action in the most important parts of a child's life—family, school, and community."

She closed with a call to conference participants: "I'm asking you personally, when you go back home, to contact people in your community who want to make an extra effort to help America's youth; work together to form a community coalition." She added that the federal government can help make community coalitions effective and cited the Community Guide to Helping America's Youth, which can be found on the Helping America's Youth Web site (HelpingAmericasYouth.gov), as an effective resource to assist with this effort.

In the luncheon plenary session, Mr. Allen noted that supporting our nation's youth is a hallmark of the current Administration and talked about the Helping America's Youth initiative's efforts to connect at-risk youth with the support of families, schools, and communities. "The family has the first obligation to improve a child's life," Mr. Allen said, "but where the family can't step in, communities must." Mr. Allen emphasized the importance of building a model that makes the community a major resource for families when children are in crisis. He also stressed the importance of designing programs based on proven scientific research.

Secretary Jackson noted the importance of mentors and role models in helping youth make positive choices. He then related his own experience as the youngest of 12 children: "My father worked three jobs, and my mother stayed at home but was also a nurse midwife. But my parents were great role models and they were there for me. When I thought my friends knew better, they were there for me. Even sometimes when I didn't want them to be there, they were there. There is no question that I stand before you today as Secretary of HUD because I had a very strong support system that kept me from going on a very destructive path." Secretary Jackson concluded by saying "If we save our at-risk children, we are also saving our country. I want you to challenge yourselves to change the lives of kids and make America better."

In addition to the plenary sessions and workshops, the first day's events included a Tribal Youth Program Cultural Event on Tuesday evening. Representatives from OJJDP's Tribal Youth Program showcased their approaches with table displays and presentations that included an exhibition of traditional American Indian pow-wow dancing, drumming, and singing.