Printer-Friendly Version (September/October 2007)

National Leadership Conference Targets Underage Drinking

On August 2–4, 2007, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP's) Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws (EUDL) Program sponsored the ninth annual National Leadership Conference, entitled "Empowering Leadership to Enhance What Works." More than 1,600 individuals attended, half of whom were law enforcement professionals working at the State, county, and municipal levels to reduce underage drinking and related problems. Other attendees included prevention advocates, representatives from elementary through higher education, public officials, community volunteers, researchers, parents, counselors, and judicial officials. State representatives, Federal partners, and more than 300 youth gathered in Orlando, FL, to focus on the prevention of underage drinking.

OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores presents keynote address.

He mentioned the following nationwide efforts of the EUDL program:

• States and communities are employing new implementation tactics to reduce underage drinking on college campuses and in the communities that surround them. For instance, more and more universities in Texas are notifying parents after their child is cited for his or her first alcohol-related infraction, and these young people are learning to appreciate more fully the consequences of underage drinking.

• Ventura County, CA, has enacted a model Social Host liability law that imposes civil penalties and harsh fines—rather than a sentence that mandates jail time—on adults who provide alcohol to youth.

• With the growing popularity of flavored alcoholic beverages, an increasing number of States are looking into how their State codes classify such products to ensure that the products are not easily available to youth.

• Increasingly, parent groups are becoming integral partners in State EUDL efforts across the country.

Acting Surgeon General Addresses Conference

Acting Surgeon General Kenneth P. Moritsugu, MD, speaks about underage drinking.

He cited the following facts:

• Alcohol is the most widely used and abused substance among our Nation's youth.

• A higher percentage of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 use alcohol than tobacco or illicit drugs.

• The physical consequences of underage alcohol use range from medical problems to death by alcohol poisoning.

• Alcohol plays a significant role in risky sexual behavior including unwanted, unintended, and unprotected sexual activity. Such behavior increases the risk for unplanned pregnancies and for contracting sexually transmitted diseases.

• Alcohol increases the risks of physical and sexual assault.

• Underage drinking is a well established risk factor for heavy drinking later in life.

• Youth who begin drinking before age 15 are five times as likely to have alcohol problems after age 21.

The Acting Surgeon General also talked about the need to approach the problem of underage drinking from many levels:

Rather than working separately, we need to "connect the dots" from all sectors of society: Federal, State and local levels. We need to connect the dots between public health—to law enforcement—to correctional health—to public safety—to public education—to parental involvement—and of course, to the children. Together we can accomplish more.

Department of Justice Announces $17 Million in EUDL Awards

On August 2, 2007, the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced block grant awards of more than $17 million to 50 States and the District of Columbia to enforce State and local underage drinking laws. The awards are made through the EUDL program, which supports activities in law enforcement, public education programs, and innovative methods for reaching youth. In addition, more than $5 million in EUDL funds went to support demonstration programming in the States and national research, training, and technical assistance to EUDL.

"The dangers of underage drinking affect every segment of our society," said Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General for OJP. "These awards support law enforcement agencies' efforts to more aggressively implement underage drinking laws and help create partnerships with parents, youth, schools, and communities to monitor adolescent activities."

OJJDP established EUDL, the only Federal initiative directed exclusively toward preventing underage drinking, in 1998. The program is a $25 million initiative consisting of block grants to each State and the District of Columbia and discretionary awards to selected States to fund the best and most promising activities and research at the local level. Each State and the District of Columbia received at least $350,000 in block grants.

The awards support a wide range of activities including a strong emphasis on compliance checks of retail alcohol outlets to reduce sales to minors, crackdowns on false identification, programs to reduce older youth or adults from providing alcohol to minors, "party patrols" to prevent access to alcohol at large youth gatherings, and "cops in shops" to deter minors' attempts to purchase alcohol.

For more information, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/newsroom/2007/OJJDP07060.htm

NBA Star Talks About Kids and Alcohol

Shaquille O'Neal addresses participants.

A lot of people don't know that alcohol-related fatalities have risen 11.6 percent in the past year. That's 7,000 beautiful young kids who have passed away—future doctors, lawyers, future NBA players and detectives. This is an issue we really have to do something about.

I was also surprised to find out that the number one place kids get their alcohol is from their own homes. Parents need to do a better job of watching their children and keeping this from happening.

First Lady Addresses HAY Conference in St. Paul

On August 2–3, 2007, the fourth regional conference on Helping America's Youth (HAY) was held in St. Paul, MN. Led by First Lady Laura Bush, Helping America's Youth is a presidential initiative to raise awareness about the challenges facing youth, particularly at-risk boys, and to motivate caring adults to connect with youth and help them lead healthy, successful lives.

Turning to the issue of America's youth, Mrs. Bush observed:

The challenges facing young people are far greater today than they were for children just a generation ago. Drugs and gangs, predators on the Internet, violence on television and in real life are just some of the negative influences present everywhere. And as children face these dangers, they often have fewer people to turn to for help. More children are raised in single-parent families, most often without a father. Millions of children have one or both parents in prison. Many boys and girls spend more time alone or with their peers than they do with any member of their family.

Mrs. Bush emphasized the particular challenges faced by Native American youth, noting that in St. Paul, "Native Americans have the largest absenteeism rate in [the] public schools, and dropout rates are high." However, she continued:

St. Paul's American Indian leaders are determined to overcome these challenges… . Over the last two decades, [a] community coalition has worked to address the full range of problems facing Native American youth. Young people can now find shelter at the Ain Dah Yung Center. Struggling students receive after-school tutoring through the Department of Indian Work. The First Nation Sports Initiative at the American Indian Family Center—and the community powwows at the American Indian Magnet School—provide children with recreation and fellowship. [And, t]he St. Paul Public Schools offer college planning through their Indian Education Program.

The First Lady recommended use of the Community Guide to Helping America's Youth, an online resource that helps community leaders form effective partnerships, assess resources, and find proven programs that support youth. At the conference, more than 150 community partners and coalition members took part in training on the Community Guide.

Community partners also joined local, State, regional, and Federal leaders for a speaker series and expert panel presentations on the current status of youth and successful methods for helping make a difference in the lives of America's youth. Panel sessions addressed such topics as "Connecting With Boys" and "Connecting With Tribal Youth."

For additional information on the HAY Initiative and the conference (including the full text of the First Lady's remarks, Webcasts of the proceedings, and slides from presentations), visit the HAY Web site at www.helpingamericasyouth.gov, click on "Conferences," and select the St. Paul regional conference.

OJJDP Helps U.K. Launch Europe's First Peer Panel

U.K. Solicitor General Vera Baird listens to the launch proceedings.

One hundred eighty guests including U.K. Solicitor General Vera Baird and U.S. governmental officials attended the launch at Hutton Police Headquarters in Preston, Lancashire. One of the main reasons for the event was to host the graduation ceremony for the first 12 fully trained youth peer panelists.

The first peer panel graduating class with OJJDP program manager Scott Peterson.

First Lady Laura Bush listens to the opening statement at youth court in Colonie, NY.

In his address to the participants at the U.K. launch, J. Robert Flores said, "Peer panels can help youth to understand the real impact of their actions on other people and to take responsibility for changing their behavior. Being judged by other youth can have a positive and lasting effect."

For more information on the peer panel program, visit www.ncrj.org.uk/RJ/home.html. To learn more about youth courts, visit the National Association of Youth Courts at www.youthcourt.net.

J. Robert Flores, Felicita Sola-Carter and Peter D. Keisler at Hispanic heritage month celebration.

Sampling Hispanic treats at the celebration.

OJJDP Administrator Hosts DOJ Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month

On Thursday, September 27, 2007, OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores served as emcee for the U.S. Justice Department's celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Held in the Department's Great Hall, this year's ceremony was entitled "Hispanic Americans: Making a Positive Impact on American Society."

In his opening remarks, J. Robert Flores said, "This annual commemoration recognizes the contribution Spanish Americans make to this country and especially to the Department of Justice. I am honored to be here today to help celebrate this colorful heritage and say thank you to you all."

Keynote speaker Felicita Sola-Carter, Assistant Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources, Social Security Administration said, "Today, Spanish Americans account for 40 percent of the U.S. work force." She detailed the many accomplishments of Spanish Americans throughout U.S. history, recognizing their invaluable contributions to education, science, agriculture, the legal system, and the arts.

Acting Attorney General Peter D. Keisler presented Ms. Sola-Carter with a commemorative plaque for her participation in the Department's celebration. In his remarks to the audience he said, "The cultural diversity that characterizes the U.S. Department of Justice is an acknowledgment of the diversity of the Nation itself. By harnessing your heritage, you can help restore basic rights and dignity to those individuals who have been robbed of their freedoms." In closing, he commended OJJDP and the Hispanic National Bar Association for their efforts to increase mentoring and thereby decrease the number of youth in the juvenile justice system.

Son de Boriken, a Latin American and Caribbean band, performed for the audience. The program ended with a sampling of various Hispanic foods.

OJJDP's State Relations and Assistance Division Holds Training Conference

On October 22–24, 2007, OJJDP's State Relations and Assistance Division (SRAD) held a comprehensive training conference in Denver, CO. The conference, entitled "Creating A Shared Vision for Juvenile Justice," provided critical training information for State Juvenile Justice Specialists, Title V Coordinators, Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) Coordinators, State Advisory Group (SAG) members, SAG youth members, and other juvenile justice program staff.

Sessions were held on topics such as the following:

• Concrete ways to help SAGs operate more efficiently and effectively.
• Key components of an effective request for proposal (RFP).
• The importance of strategic planning as it relates to a State's 3-year plan.
• Practical training on faith-based grantees (regulations and restrictions on use of funds).

In addition, to assist JABG and Title V Coordinators, workshops pertinent to the various grant programs were held. These included sessions on:

• A practical application of the link between child welfare and juvenile justice.
• An overview of the Office of Civil Rights.
• An overview of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 and the creation of the Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART) Office within the Office of Justice Programs.
• The Girls Study Group: Working with Juvenile Female Offenders.

Finally, this year's training featured a separate SAG youth member track to enable SAG youth to network with other youth members throughout the Nation. This track highlighted different ways youth and adults are partnering to further SAG initiatives and emphasized leadership development. It culminated with a report to the larger group about the action plans youth have developed over the course of the training.

Additional Federal Participation

This year, several other Federal offices participated in workshops discussing key topics such as workforce development (the U.S. Department of Labor) and runaway and homeless youth (the Administration for Children and Families).

The agenda also featured a discussion on the implementation of the Shared Youth Vision Initiative. This initiative was created in response to the 2003 White House Task Force Report on Disadvantaged Youth by the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Justice, who formed a Federal partnership focused on serving the neediest youth. The initiative calls upon the youth service systems at all levels to work collaboratively in designing and coordinating programs assisting this population.

SRAD provides funds to help State and local governments achieve the system improvement goals of the JJDP Act, combat underage drinking, implement delinquency prevention programs, address disproportionate minority contact, and support initiatives to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their actions. SRAD also supports and coordinates community efforts to identify and respond to critical juvenile justice and delinquency prevention needs.

Native American Youth Discuss Building Brighter Futures in Indian Country

OJJDP recently conducted a tribal youth focus group, "Building Brighter Futures in Indian Country," to encourage an open dialog among tribal youth about their communities, families, and life experiences. Boys and girls ages 10 to 17 from 20 tribes across the United States participated in this effort, which will aid the Federal Government in creating programs responsive to tribal youth needs.

Two adult-facilitated focus groups were held, one with 12 youth ages 10 to 14 and one with 13 youth ages 15 to 17. A sampling of the questions asked youth, and the answers they gave, follow.

Focus group participants.

Youth Ages 10 to 14

1. What are some positive things you could say about youth today?

   Desiree Cleveland, Yupik Eskimo/Native Village of Kwinhagak.

   • There are more programs for us to get to know each other on the reservation.

   • Programs help the community and the kids to learn good choices. They include the Boys and Girls Clubs; a drum group, dancing, and powwows; and the Why Am I Tempted? (WAIT) program.

   • There are more sports activities and a youth drop-in center with special activities.

2. Are your peers using alcohol and drugs?
   • Twelve out of twelve said yes.

3. What are some of the problems facing youth today?

   • Some parents drink and don't watch their kids and then the kids want to be like their parents.

   • Gangs, drinking and smoking, and parents not watching their kids. Teen pregnancy.

   • Kids not being involved in positive activities and feeling neglected, "like nobody wants them."

4. What steps would you take to eliminate the problems youth face today?

   • "Kids are going to drink no matter what because it is 'cool' and it solves their problems."

   • "You can tell kids all you want and they will do what they want till something 'big' happens that will get them to change. The only way they will stop is if it is for themselves."

   • "Community centers for teens to get together and talk about their problems might help."

   • "Sports programs can be good. Many of them have a drug/alcohol policy: if you use them, you're kicked off the team."

5. What is it like to be a Native youth in today's world?
   • "It's cool to be me. But I'd really like to be like my grandma."

   • "It's nice to be little still—when you get older, it isn't fun any more."

   • "Good. The tribe is trying to make things better."

   • "It's stressful having divorced parents and people judge me because of things other family members have done."

Youth Ages 15 to 17

Christian Hopkins, Naragansett Indian Tribe.

1. Are your peers using alcohol and drugs?

   • All 13 participants raised their hands. Drugs mentioned included marijuana, Ecstasy, ice, methamphetamines, snipes, bulbs, cocaine, alcohol, prescription drugs.

2. What is causing so many youth to turn to alcohol and drugs?

   Answers included:

   • Peer pressure, acceptance, to be cool.

   • They like the feeling; it's fun.

   • New experience.

   • Family issues.

   • No attention at home.

   • Get angry or depressed and use drugs/alcohol to make themselves feel better.

   • School-related problem(s).

   • "Nothing else to do but party."

3. Is bullying a problem in your school?

   • "Yes, but mostly between races."

   • "There is bullying between gangs and in the gang initiation process."

   • "There is a lot of 'drama' between girls."

4. Do you feel safe in your community? (Answers ranged from "no" to sometimes "yes.") What can be done to help youth feel safe?

   Answers included:

   • Have youth work with adults in the police departments and courts.

   • Clean up the community; eliminate graffiti.

   • Form a youth council.

   • Give youth jobs.

5. When you think about the future, what do you see yourself doing?

   Youth group table.

   • "A business person."

   • "I want to go to school and travel before I make any major decisions."

   • "Finish high school and go to college and get a good job."

   • "I don't think about the future."

   • "I used to think about the future but I stopped because if it didn't work out, it would be a big disappointment. I used to want to be a news reporter or a teacher."

   • Over half the group wanted to work for their tribe.

Chaperone Comments

A separate chaperone discussion group composed of parents and program managers also was held. Some of their comments follow.

1. Youth are willing to get involved in their communities through volunteering, assisting elders, and participating in programs such as Head Start, Boys and Girls Clubs, and health and awareness programs.

2. Lack of parenting skills and guidance from their parents are a serious problem facing youth.

3. Adults who work with children in school notice their lack of concentration and focus. Children have a hard time sitting still and listening to adults.

4. There is a "fluency gap" with the youth's parents. There was a generation lost when there were no language or cultural activities including dancing, singing, or drumming. Most of the people who can speak the native language are over 50.

5. Nevertheless, youth are involved in language programs and cultural programs including drumming, singing, dancing, and powwows. Youth are interested in learning the culture, arts, and native crafts. Comments included: "If it's offered, they'll get involved," and "When the adults start to talk about the culture or tribal history or language, you can hear a pin drop. The kids are thirsty for this kind of information."

Based on the focus group's findings, a final report with future recommendations for Federal efforts to assist tribal youth will be developed in autumn.

For more information on the tribal youth program, visit www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/typ.

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet Launches Richmond's Will Power to Youth Program

Will Power to Youth participants and guests.

Over the past few years, OJJDP has worked with the Commonwealth Attorney General's Office to develop the Gang Reduction Intervention and Prevention (GRIP) program to address Richmond's growing gang problem. GRIP, one of OJJDP's Gang Reduction Program sites, has brought together local law enforcement, prevention and intervention practitioners, the schools, faith-based organizations, and community members to address gang violence and to provide youth with an alternative to gang membership. GRIP's most recent effort in this regard is the launching of the Will Power to Youth program.

The Will Power to Youth Program—providing participating youth with a mentor while they receive on-the-job training and work skills development—makes for a perfect match with the GRIP program. Will Power for Youth pairs adult professional artists who serve as mentors to local youth, providing them something they so desperately need as they struggle to address the challenges that confront them.

…Will Power to Youth does more than just provide caring adults for youth who might otherwise lose their way. While promoting the importance of completing high school, it helps keep kids in school and teaches them life skills for the responsibilities they will bear as adults and as parents. The program provides them with job skills to help improve their success in the labor market and offers a safe place to participate in extracurricular activities.

… Programs such as GRIP and Will Power to Youth provide at-risk and troubled youth the guidance and support that can mean the difference between a happy, productive life or a life of crime and violence.

Using a national model created by Shakespeare Festival/LA, the Will Power to Youth program promotes youth development and employment training to young people at risk for delinquency and gang involvement. The Richmond GRIP's Will Power to Youth program employs 20 to 25 at-risk youth during summer vacation to produce, adapt, and perform a Shakespeare play. Students explore not only the art and mechanics of producing a play, but also the thematic issues that resonate in their own lives, while learning vital life and employment skills. It also draws on the resources of an array of social service programs that provide a safety net for the youth. A social worker will continue to meet one-on-one with the youth for 1 year and will be available when needed to link them to local services to reinforce lessons learned in the summer program.

Rotisha Hazelwood (Juliet) and Derek Cheatham (Romeo) enact the famous balcony scene.

For more information on Will Power to Youth, visit www.richmondshakespeare.com/Educ-Students-WillPower.asp.

New Publications

OJJDP Adds DMC Databook to Statistical Briefing Book

All States participating in OJJDP's Formula Grants Program are required to address the problem of disproportionate minority contact (DMC). DMC refers to the disproportionate number of minority youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system at various decision points (e.g., arrest, referral to juvenile court, detention, placement). To this end, OJJDP has developed and is promoting the use of the DMC Relative Rate Index (RRI) Matrix. At its simplest, the RRI is a means of comparing the rates of juvenile justice contact experienced by different groups of youth.

To provide a better understanding of the RRI, along with an assessment of racial disparity and disparity trends at the national level, OJJDP has released the National Disproportionate Minority Contact Databook. This Web-based tool explains the use of the RRI, shows the national RRIs for the years 1990 to 2004, and provides a written interpretation of racial disparity trends for a large number of decision points within the juvenile justice system. This tool was developed to help States and local jurisdictions properly construct and interpret their local information.

To access the DMC Databook, visit www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/dmcdb.

To view the Statistical Briefing Book, visit: www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/index.html.

2007 Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice Annual Recommendations Report to the President and Congress of the
United States

The 2007 Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice Annual Recommendations Report to the President and Congress of the United States is the committee's fourth annual report and outlines critical concerns and issues identified by FACJJ members and their State Advisory Groups (SAGs). It contains 15 recommendations that illustrate why juvenile justice must remain a national priority and emphasizes the importance of reauthorizing the JJDP Act. The recommendations were developed based on responses from SAGs of 47 States and territories to FACJJ's request for information. These responses were used to identify each respondent's primary juvenile justice concerns. The three major problems identified by the States were disproportionate minority contact, mental health assessment and treatment, and detention reform. (August 2007. NCJ 219500).

News From the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (Council) met most recently on September 14, 2007, at the U.S. Department of Labor. The quarterly meeting featured a briefing on the Shared Youth Vision and a discussion of the potential application of that approach to New Orleans area work and next steps for the Council relative to New Orleans. A panel discussion on Engaging With the Faith Community: Urban Minorities, Capacity Building and Opportunities for Federal Collaboration was held, featuring W. Wilson Goode of Public/Private Ventures and director of the Amachi Program (Mentoring Children of Prisoners program), Richard Ramos of the Latino Coalition for Faith and Community Initiatives, and Reid Carpenter of the Leadership Foundation. The next meeting will be held December 7, 2007. For meeting summaries, information about the Council's mission, and links to related resources, visit the Council's Web site at www.juvenilecouncil.gov.

News From the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice

The next meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) will be held Sunday and Monday, October 21–22, in conjunction with OJJDP's combined training for FACJJ and State Advisory Group members, juvenile justice specialists, disproportionate minority contact (DMC) coordinators, compliance monitors, and Targeted Community Action Planning coordinators, and with the annual DMC conference. The combined training will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, October 23–24, followed by the 2007 annual DMC conference, "Making the Right Connections," Thursday through Saturday, October 25–27. Meeting summaries and other information about the Advisory Committee are available on the Committee's Web site.

The Committee is a consultative body established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002 and supported by OJJDP. Composed of representatives nominated by the Governors of the States and territories and the Mayor of the District of Columbia, 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.

OJJDP Staff News—Marilyn Landon Retires

J. Robert Flores offers congratulations to Marilyn Landon on her retirement.

In a farewell letter OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores said:

Please know you are leaving a mark of selfless service during your tenure with the Department, first in the Office of Law Enforcement Assistance Administration and later in the Office of Justice Programs and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention…OJJDP and the field have both benefited greatly from your tireless dedication and devotion.

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