NEWS & VIEWS
Reports
Growing Out of Crime
Leaving crime behind could be something that happens with age. At least that was the finding of the Pathways to Desistance study (now available in e-book format), which followed more than 1,300 serious juvenile offenders as they transitioned from midadolescence to early adulthood. Youth whose antisocial behavior persisted into early adulthood were found to have lower levels of psychosocial maturity in their teen years and developmental deficits, compared with other antisocial youth. Most juvenile offenders, even those who commit serious crimes, grow out of antisocial activity as they gain impulse control and a future orientation.
Customizing Services for Low-Income and At-Risk LGBT Populations
Research suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people may face disproportionate risks to their economic and social well-being that stem from social stigma. Tailored human services are needed to help address the challenges they face and to mitigate risks. This brief looks at what is already known about at-risk LGBT populations and identifies areas where future research could uncover opportunities to improve services.
News
Bullying No Match for Virtuous Behavior
ThinkVirtues Inc. is an Illinois company that believes teaching children values could put an end to bullying and youth violence. The company uses more than 50 "virtue" cards each year to instill principles of good behavior, like courtesy, generosity, courage, and respect. Kathy Motlagh, co-founder of ThinkVirtues, said the goal is to help a child understand how these qualities can lead to good things. The program is practiced in five schools and taught to about 600 kindergarten and middle school students.
Fourth National Summit
The Fourth National Summit on Youth Violence Prevention will be held May 11–13, 2015, at a site in the Washington, D.C., area to be determined. The Summit will provide opportunities for representatives from National Forum, Defending Childhood, and Community-Based Violence Prevention program cities to learn about new strategies for youth violence prevention, to share their experiences of what works in their communities, and to recommit themselves to the task of creating safe communities where youth and families can thrive. Attendance to the Summit is by invitation only. Invitations will be sent out soon.
Occupying Idle Hands
Unemployed, out-of-school youth may have trouble finding a job later in life. Many are likely to join the ranks of the long-term unemployed, while others risk encounters with the criminal justice system. In an effort to lower Pennsylvania's unemployment rate, Mayor Nutter, the Stoneleigh Foundation, and grassroots leaders established the Philadelphia Youth Violence Prevention Collaborative
(YVPC)—a coalition of more than 100 organizations throughout the city. YVPC will help young people get entry-level jobs and eventually access the mainstream labor market.
NOLA Health Department Launches Social Media Pages
The New Orleans Health Department (NOHD) has joined the online community committed to preventing violence. Follow NOHD on Twitter (@nolahealthdept) and Facebook (facebook.com/neworleanshealthdepartment).
Other Resources
Keeping Trafficking Out of Schools
With the right guidance, people who work with kids every day can pick up on the warning signs of child trafficking. All school community members—from administrators, to bus drivers, to teachers—should know the facts. The U.S. Department of Education has released a guide to help school staff identify and prevent trafficking. This guide has information about risk factors, signals, and what to do if you suspect child trafficking.
Juvenile Justice Services Across the Country
Each state operates and delivers juvenile justice services differently. As more is uncovered about adolescent development, intervention strategies continue to change, with many states adopting or requiring evidence-based approaches to screening and assessment. This map shows how states are organized to advance more active and results-oriented juvenile justice solutions.
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