OJJDP News @ A GlanceOJP Seal
Printer-Friendly Version
Robert L. Listenbee Assumes Leadership of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Photo of Robert L. Listenbee, OJJDP Administrator.
Robert L. Listenbee, OJJDP Administrator.
On March 26, 2013, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs Mary Lou Leary announced that Robert L. Listenbee, a highly respected public defender and juvenile justice system reformer, has assumed the role of Administrator at OJJDP.

Melodee Hanes, who served as Acting Administrator since January 2012, is now OJJDP's Principal Deputy Administrator.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Bob Listenbee as OJJDP's new Administrator. Bob has been a champion for juvenile justice issues for many years, and did a tremendous job as a co-chair of my Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, said Attorney General Eric Holder. “I'm also deeply grateful to Melodee for her leadership and renewed focus on ensuring that children are treated fairly by the juvenile justice system. I look forward to continuing to work with both these dedicated public servants as we carry on these critical efforts.

“Bob Listenbee will bring tremendous leadership and experience to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in its efforts to support positive youth development and keep our children safe from violence,” said Ms. Leary.

Before joining OJJDP as Administrator, Listenbee served as a member of OJJDP’s Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice, which advises the President, Congress, and the OJJDP Administrator on juvenile justice policy. Previously, Listenbee was chief of the Defender Association of Philadelphia's Juvenile Unit for 16 years and a trial lawyer with the association for 27 years.

As a member of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Listenbee helped advise Pennsylvania’s Governor on juvenile justice policy. He also was a member of the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice, which examined the “kids for cash” scandal in the juvenile courts of Luzerne County, PA, and recommended major reforms to the statewide system.

Listenbee has contributed his expertise on policy committees of the National Legal Aid & Defender Association and of the National Juvenile Defender Center, as well as on the advisory board of the National Center for Juvenile Justice.

During her tenure as Acting Administrator, Ms. Hanes successfully championed initiatives to reduce both children’s exposure to violence and the high volume of students entering the juvenile justice system following school suspensions. In addition, she has led an ongoing effort to reorganize the Office to more accurately reflect OJJDP's primary work of youth development, prevention, and safety; juvenile justice improvement; state and community development; and innovation and research. The restructuring will also assist the Office in better supporting the field at a time of declining resources.

Back to top


Justice Department Launches Task Force To Improve Responses to Violence Against Children in Tribal Communities
Photo of Attorney General Eric Holder, Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West, and OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee.
At the Coordinating Council meeting on April 12, 2013, Attorney General Eric Holder (center) announced that Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West (left) will oversee the creation of an American Indian/Alaska Native task force on children exposed to violence. Seated on the right is Robert L. Listenbee, Administrator of OJJDP.

On April 12, 2013, Attorney General Eric Holder outlined initial steps to implement the recommendations of the National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence, part of his Defending Childhood Initiative to address children’s exposure to violence. As his first action, the Attorney General announced that Acting Associate Attorney General Tony West will oversee the creation of an American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) task force on children exposed to violence.
 
The proposed task force will be a joint effort between the Departments of Justice and the Interior, and tribal governments. The task force will focus on improving the identification and treatment of AI/AN children exposed to violence, supporting communities and tribes as they define their own responses to this problem, and involving tribal youth in developing solutions. 

The National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence presented its final report and recommendations to the Attorney General in December, calling for universal identification, assessment, and treatment of children who witness or are victims of violence. The recommendations also call for training for professionals who work with children to identify and respond to the trauma caused to children when they witness or are victims of violence. The Justice Department will provide additional details on the implementation of the recommendations in the coming months. These efforts will build on the national task force’s call to support the field, raise public awareness, build knowledge, and increase Department and federal coordination and capacity.

The Attorney General announced the new task force during the spring meeting of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, which is administered by OJJDP.

Resources:

More information about the recommendations of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence is available online.

Back to top


Melodee Hanes Addresses Summit on Preventing Child Abuse in Sports

On March 19, 2013, OJJDP’s then-Acting Administrator Melodee Hanes delivered opening remarks at “Safe To Compete: Protecting Child Athletes From Sexual Abuse,” a 2-day summit sponsored by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. The summit, which took place at NCMEC’s offices in Alexandria, VA, brought together experts in responding to child abuse, coaches, athletes, parents, and leaders of more than 50 youth-serving organizations.

Melodee Hanes
Melodee Hanes, OJJDP’s then-Acting Administrator, delivered opening remarks at the summit. “Protecting children from abuse is at the very heart of what we do at OJJDP,” Ms. Hanes said. Ms. Hanes cited the OJJDP-supported National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence, which revealed that 60 percent of American children are exposed to violence, crime, and abuse—either as victims or witnesses—in their homes, schools, and communities.

Ms. Hanes noted that 85 percent of child molesters are in positions of trust. “As a prosecutor in Iowa and Montana, I prosecuted the Jerry Sanduskys,” Ms. Hanes said. “These people are not stupid. They know where to look, how to cultivate their victims. I prosecuted coaches, I prosecuted teachers, I prosecuted a hobby shop owner who was also a Sunday school teacher. We as adults, parents, brothers, [and] sisters need to give these kids support. Information is power. It’s important to know what to look for, and what to do in response.”

The summit featured an overview by experts in responding to child sexual abuse and discussed how federal- and state-mandated reporting laws may affect youth sports programs. Joe Ehrmann, former NFL defensive lineman and survivor of child sexual abuse, facilitated working sessions on the following topics:

Other speakers at the summit included John Ryan, CEO of NCMEC; Steve Salem, president, Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation; Cal Ripken, Jr., the baseball legend; Sheldon Kennedy, former NHL hockey player and survivor of child sexual abuse; John Walsh, host, "America’s Most Wanted”; Sharon W. Cooper, M.D., CEO of Developmental and Forensic Pediatrics and member of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence; Julie Novak, associate vice president of child safety, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; Kate C. Staley, Ph.D, research scientist, Pennsylvania State University; and Malia S. Arrington, director of Ethics and Safe Sport, United States Olympic Committee.

Know The Rules
The OJJDP-funded publication, “Know the Rules . . . for Child Safety in Youth Sports.”

According to the National Council of Youth Sports’ Report on Trends and Participation In Organized Youth Sports, in 2008, more than 44 million boys and girls played in an organized youth sports program.

Resources:

Answers to frequently asked questions about the abuse of child athletes and a flier with guidelines for parents whose children participate in organized sports activities are available online. The OJJDP-funded flier, “Know the Rules . . . for Child Safety in Youth Sports,” is available in English and Spanish.

More information about NCMEC and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is also available online.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information on child maltreatment, and resources for promoting child and family well-being, visit the Administration for Children & Families’ Web site.

Back to top


Nationally Recognized Human Rights Lawyer Champions the Needs of Children in the Criminal Justice System

Photo of Ian Manuel
Photo credit: Glenn Paul.

 

Ian Manuel, one of many young people whose lives have been changed with the help of the Equal Justice Initiative, founded and directed by Bryan Stevenson.

When he was 13 years old, Ian Manuel was persuaded by older teens to commit a robbery, during which a woman was wounded by gunshot fire. Ian was sentenced to life imprisonment and was sent to an adult prison. Because of his age and small size, he was put in solitary confinement, where he received his meals through a slot in the door and was not permitted to interact with other inmates. Ian was isolated in his concrete cell for 18 years, during which time he repeatedly tried to kill himself. With the help of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), an Alabama-based nonprofit organization that provides legal representation to indigent defendants and prisoners who have been denied fair and just treatment in the legal system, Ian recently won a reduced sentence and is receiving counseling to help him heal from years of trauma.

Ian is one of many individuals who were incarcerated as children in adult facilities whose lives have been changed by EJI and its founder and executive director, Bryan Stevenson. A graduate of Harvard Law School and the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Stevenson has devoted his life to challenging what he calls the “excessive” punishment of many of America’s most vulnerable citizens: the economically disadvantaged, people of color, people with mental disabilities, and children.

On March 14, 2013, Stevenson visited the Office of Justice Programs to share his insights and perspectives on current challenges in the juvenile and criminal justice systems and the history behind those challenges. The United States currently has the highest incarceration rate of any country in the world. And, on any given day, 10,000 children are living in adult facilities.

Stevenson attributes these high numbers in part to predictions made in the late 1980s and early 1990s of an upsurge in the number of armed and violent youth offenders, called “super-predators.” In response to this perceived threat, many states enacted “get tough on crime” legislation, which lowered the minimum age for trying children as adults and facilitated the transfer of youth into the adult system. Several states mandated that children convicted or accused of certain kinds of crimes be prosecuted as adults.

left quoteIf we don’t trust a young child to drive a car, how do we expect them to navigate the adult criminal justice system?right quote

—Bryan Stevenson,
Executive Director, Equal Justice Initiative.

Fourteen states currently have no minimum age for trying children as adults. Children as young as eight have been prosecuted as adults. In adult facilities, children have five times the risk of being sexually assaulted as they do in juvenile facilities. They also have a higher risk of physical assault and suicide.

Photo of Bryan Stevenson Bryan Stevenson, executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative.

“Data projections made in the early 1990s have not come true,” Stevenson said. “And yet this narrative [of super-predators], a narrative that is driven by fear and anger, has persisted,” Stevenson said. “These days, you don’t hear any more about the ‘best interest of the child.’ Our children, we’re not embracing them, encouraging them, or seeing them as victims. If we don't trust a young person to drive a car, how do we expect them to navigate the adult criminal justice system?"

Stevenson has guided cases that are changing the way the criminal justice system handles young offenders. In November 2009, Stevenson and other EJI attorneys argued before the U.S. Supreme Court for a constitutional ban on imposing death-in-prison sentences on children. On May 17, 2010, the Court issued a ruling in Graham v. Florida prohibiting the sentencing of juveniles to life without parole for nonhomicide crimes. The underlying principle of that decision was that children are uniquely immature, impulsive, and vulnerable, and they have a greater capacity for rehabilitation than adults. Therefore, they should not be punished as adults.

In March 2012, Stevenson argued before the Supreme Court that sentencing children to life in prison without parole for any crime violates the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. On June 25, 2012, in a ruling on Miller v. Alabama and Jackson v. Hobbs, the Supreme Court prohibited sentencing approaches that mandate life without parole for juveniles convicted of homicide.

With each child whose case he handles, Stevenson takes more than a professional interest. “Kids don’t need you to be just a lawyer, but they need you as a parental figure too,” he said. In dealing with his clients, Stevenson is often at the ready with an arm around the shoulder, a piece of advice, or a kind word. He says, "I’m persuaded that without a hopeful orientation, we can’t change what needs to be changed.”

Resources:

For more information about the Equal Justice Initiative, visit the organization’s Web site. The text of the Supreme Court’s decisions in Graham v. Florida, Miller v. Alabama, and Jackson v. Hobbs is available online. To access more information and data about juveniles in court and other topics related to juvenile justice, visit the Web sites of the OJJDP-supported National Center for Youth in Custody, National Center for Juvenile Justice, and OJJDP's Statistical Briefing Book.

Back to top


OJJDP Article in IACP Magazine Emphasizes Law Enforcement's Role in Responding to Child Maltreatment

The Police Chief, cover pageIn an article in the March 2013 issue of The Police Chief, Melodee Hanes, then-Acting Administrator of OJJDP, provided an overview of the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative and the vital role law enforcement can play in an effective response to children’s exposure to violence. The magazine is published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), which consists of more than 20,000 members from 100 countries.

Ms. Hanes cited findings from the OJJDP-funded National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence. The survey found that in the previous year:

In 2010, Attorney General Eric Holder launched the Defending Childhood Initiative, which marshals resources across the U.S. Department of Justice to prevent children’s exposure to violence, mitigate the negative effects of exposure when it does occur, and place the topic of children’s exposure to violence front and center in the national conversation.

“Too often, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, and social services agencies do not have the protocols and partnerships in place to coordinate an effective and timely response to children’s exposure to violence,” Ms. Hanes said. “As committed as our law enforcement professionals are, they are not routinely trained in these areas.”

left quoteWe must protect children . . . who are victims of abuse, violence, and crime . . . . Law enforcement is on the front lines of this heroic effort.right quote

—Melodee Hanes,
Principal Deputy Administrator, OJJDP.

To address this problem, OJJDP issued a solicitation in fiscal year 2012 seeking an applicant to provide training and technical assistance to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to improve the prevention of, identification of, and response to children’s exposure to violence. Of 26 applicants, IACP was rated the top candidate in peer review and was selected to receive a $750,000 award for a 2-year grant period to expand its training resources to include a focus on children’s exposure to violence.

Ms. Hanes ended her article by thanking the law enforcement community for its dedication to protecting children and ensuring the safety of the communities in which they live. “Children are our nation’s future,” she wrote. “They deserve nothing less.”

Back to top


Upcoming Events

Coalition of Juvenile Justice National Conference: May 1–4, 2013

The Coalition of Juvenile Justice will host its national conference on May 1–4, 2013, in Washington, DC. In keeping with the conference theme, “Building Supportive Communities To Prevent Violence and Delinquency,” sessions will focus on fostering collaborative efforts between schools, courts, law enforcement, service providers, and families to prevent or limit youth involvement in the justice system; reduce firearm offenses; dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline; provide evidence-based responses to children exposed to violence; and promote equitable access to services.

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: May 9, 2013

National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, May 9, 2013Every year in early May, communities across the country hold awareness day events to highlight the importance of mental health to a child's development from birth. This year’s National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day will focus on the needs of young adults (ages 16–24) with mental health needs, especially in the areas of education, employment, and housing. It also aims to raise public awareness about how resilient young adults with behavioral health challenges can be with the help of family, friends, and health services providers. During the past year, nearly 30 percent of young adults experienced a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, and more than 35 percent of people ages 18 to 25 used illicit drugs. National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Missing Children’s Day logo.National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony: May 15, 2013

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will hold its annual National Missing Children's Day ceremony in DOJ's Great Hall. The ceremony honors the heroic and exemplary efforts of agencies, organizations, and individuals to protect children. National Missing Children's Day has been commemorated in the United States since 1983, when it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan.

National Children’s Alliance Leadership Conference: June 2–5, 2013

National Children's Alliance will host its annual leadership conference in Washington, DC. The conference aims to provide continuing education, networking opportunities, and exposure to innovative programs and ideas for Children's Advocacy Center leaders. Planned activities include the organization’s annual membership meeting, plenary sessions, workshops, networking opportunities, and an exhibit. Registration information is available online.

Child Abuse and Neglect Institute: June 3–7, 2013

Sponsored National Council of Juvenile  and Family Court Judges logo by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, topics to be covered during this institute include the role of the juvenile court judge; judicial leadership and ethics; federal child welfare legislation; substance abuse and permanency planning; medical issues in child abuse and neglect cases; child development, bonding and attachment, and trauma; the Indian Child Welfare Act; and tribal-state court collaboration. The institute will take place in Reno, NV. Registration information is available online.

Global Youth Justice Training Institute: June 11–13, 2013

This training institute, to be held in Provincetown, MA, is designed to help adult staff and volunteers enhance and expand teen court, youth court, or peer court diversion programs. Training topics will include fundraising, partnerships, social media, service connections and resources, and grant writing. Registration information is available online.

School Resource Officer Training Conference: June 18–20, 2013

National Criminal Justice Training Center logoOrganized by the National Criminal Justice Training Center, this conference will take place in Appleton, WI. Sessions will focus on current trends in addressing school violence through prevention and response strategies. Topics include: Youth Alcohol, Drug Trends, and Concealment; Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Referral; Crisis Response in Native American and Alaska Native Communities; Policing the Teen Brain; Critical Incident Response for School Resource Officers; and Identifying Physical and Sexual Abuse of Children. Registration information is available online.

Basic Forensic Interview Training: June, August, October, and December 2013

During June, August, October, and December, CornerHouse will host 5-day courses in Minneapolis, MN, during which law enforcement and child protection investigators, prosecutors, and forensic interviewers can learn the CornerHouse Forensic Interview Protocola developmentally flexible and nontraumatic forensic interview protocol appropriate for child, adolescent, and adult victims of sexual abuse. Training methods include lecture and discussion, review of video-recorded interviews, skill-building exercises, and an interview practicum. Registration information is available online.

American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children Annual Colloquium: June 25–28, 2013

Sponsored by the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, the institutes and workshops offered at the colloquium, which will take place in Las Vegas, NV, will address all aspects of child maltreatment, including prevention, intervention, assessment, treatment, and cultural considerations. Seminars have been designed primarily for professionals in the mental health, medicine and nursing, law, law enforcement, education, prevention, research, advocacy, child protection services, and allied fields. Registration information is available online.

Girl Bullying and Other Forms of Relational Aggression National Conference: June 30–July 2, 2013

Girl Bullying Conference logoHosted by Developmental Resources, this conference will provide attendees with research findings, insights, practical strategies, programs, and resources related to bullying with a focus on relational aggression in girls. Topics include: Transforming Aggressive Young People, Empowering Bystanders to Become Interveners, What Works With Middle Schoolers, and Girls With Disabilities Facing Bullying. The conference will take place in Las Vegas, NV. Registration information is available online.

School Safety Conference: July 14–19, 2013

The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) will hold its annual School Safety Conference in Orlando, FL. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in sessions; complete a NASRO training course onsite; view products, technology, and innovations in the exhibit hall; and network with peers. Session topics include: School Safety and the School to Prison Pipeline, Why Teens Kill, Violence and Victimization, Communicated Threats in Schools, and Benefits of Nonconfrontational Interview and Interrogation Techniques With the Millennial Generation. Registration information is available online.

Advanced Forensic Interview Training: July 15–18, 2013; November 19–22, 2013

In July and November, CornerHouse will host 4-day courses in Minneapolis, MN, during which experienced law enforcement officers, prosecutors, child protection and forensic investigators, and tribal social service interviewers who have completed the prerequisites can learn advanced forensic interviewing skills. Registration information is available online.

National Forum on Criminal Justice: August 4–6, 2013

Hosted by the National Criminal Justice Association, the forum will take place in Chicago, IL, and will focus on how to integrate research, policy, and technology to improve public safety. Registration information is available online.

Back to top


News in Brief

Melodee Hanes Testifies at Organization of American States Hearing

On March 11, 2013, Melodee Hanes, then-Acting Administrator of OJJDP, testified at an Organization of American States (OAS) hearing on the placement of youth offenders in adult facilities in the United States. Hosted by OAS’ Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington, DC, the hearing was organized at the request of the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan. Among other topics, Ms. Hanes discussed OJJDP’s mission and authorizing legislation; the deleterious effects of incarcerating youth in adult facilities, including a greater risk of sexual assault and suicide; and OJJDP’s work with the states to incentivize improvements in their juvenile justice systems.

Cover of Report of the National Task Force on  Children Exposed to ViolencePrinted Copies of Report of the National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Now Available

In December 2012, the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence released its final report and recommendations for launching a coordinated national response to address children's exposure to violence. The centerpiece of the Attorney General’s Defending Childhood Initiative, the report highlights the importance of identifying children who are victims or witnesses of violence and providing support and services to help them heal. It focuses on developing programs to help children access supportive and nonviolent relationships with trusted adults in their homes and communities and calls for all children who enter the juvenile justice system to be screened for exposure to violence. Printed copies of the report may now be ordered online.

New Reports on Juvenile Justice Reform Released

Three key reports that examine recent developments in juvenile justice reform were recently released:

Report cover pageReport Highlights OJJDP Green Reentry Grant Experiences in Tribal Communities

RTI International and American Indian Development Associates have released Early Implementation Experiences of OJJDP’s Tribal Green Reentry Programs. This report details the experiences of three tribal communities that used OJJDP Green Reentry grant funding to support the use of green technologies and environmentally sustainable activities in reentry programming for youth involved in the tribal justice system. The report profiles each site and examines their cross-site implementation experiences.

National Juvenile Defense Standards Available Online

The National Juvenile Defender Center has released National Juvenile Defense Standards, a comprehensive explanation of the role and duties of the juvenile defender in the 21st-century juvenile court system. The standards are designed to strengthen and guide the ethical and professional performance of the juvenile defense attorney.

Guide to Risk Assessment Implementation Published

The National Youth Screening & Assessment Project has published Risk Assessment in Juvenile Justice: A Guidebook for Implementation. The guidebook details the purpose and nature of risk assessment, defines risk assessment concepts, describes some of the research evidence, and provides indepth guidance on selecting and implementing an evidence-based tool.

Through Our Eyes: Children, Violence, and Trauma screenshotOVC Video Series Addresses Children’s Exposure to Violence

The Office for Victims of Crime has released “Through Our Eyes: Children, Violence, and Trauma,” an online video series to address the needs of children exposed to violence and victimization. The series includes a public awareness video in which victims discuss the effects of the violence and trauma they experienced, and three topic-specific videos detailing evidence-based treatment, child advocacy strategies, and community-based approaches to help those affected.

Publication Discusses Children’s Well-Being

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has released e-book versions of America’s Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2012. The report is the result of a collaboration by agencies across the federal government to advance understanding of the nation’s children and what may be needed to bring them a better future. Kindle, iPad, Nook, and other e-book versions are now available for download.

Statistical Briefing Book Updated

Developed for OJJDP by the National Center for Juvenile Justice, the Statistical Briefing Book (SBB) provides timely and reliable statistical answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) from policymakers, the media, and the general public. The following updates were recently posted to the SBB:

Recidivism Reduction Checklists for State Leaders and Corrections Agencies Released

The Council of State Governments Justice Center is pleased to announce the release of Reducing Statewide Recidivism, a series of three checklists for policymakers, state corrections administrators, and reentry coordinators to assess state recidivism reduction policies and strategies. Produced in partnership with the Association of State Correctional Administrators and the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the checklists help familiarize state leaders with key issues related to recidivism reduction and help them accurately evaluate strengths and weaknesses in their reentry efforts through enhanced communication and coordination.

A Webinar on the checklists was held in February 2013. A recording of the Webinar and presentation materials may be accessed online.

Research Brief Examines Possible Bullying and Suicide Links

In a recent blog post for stopbullying.gov, the authors review the literature to determine possible links between bullying and suicide in children and youth. They conclude that many factors may increase a youth’s risk of suicide—including mental health history, family history of suicide or child maltreatment, alcohol and substance abuse, and isolation—and caution against assuming there are “simple” causes for suicidal thoughts or behavior.

SAMHSA Develops Toolkit on Preventing Teen SuicideSAMHSA Develops Toolkit on Preventing Teen Suicide

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for High Schools. The toolkit offers strategies to help students who are at risk for suicide, to respond to the suicide of a student or other member of the school community, and to integrate suicide prevention into activities that fulfill other aspects of the school's mission, such as preventing the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2011, nearly 16 percent of students in grades 9 to 12 report having seriously considered suicide and 7.8 percent report having attempted suicide at least once in the past 12 months.

To download the toolkit or to order printed copies, visit SAMHSA’s Web site.

Back to top


New Publications

All OJJDP publications may be viewed and downloaded on the publications section of the OJJDP Web site. Print publications may be ordered online at the National Criminal Justice Reference Service Web site.

Coming Soon—

PTSD, Trauma, and Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders in Detained Youth
Beyond Detention Series
This bulletin, the second in OJJDP's Beyond Detention publication series, presents information on the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma among a sample of youth detainees, compares the prevalence of psychiatric disorders among those with and without PTSD, and examines the prevalence of PTSD among those with and without other psychiatric disorders.

Children’s Exposure to Violence and the Intersection Between Delinquency and Victimization
National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence Series
This bulletin examines how victimization and delinquency converge or diverge among youth of different ages. Researchers categorized youth ages 10 to 17 into one of four groups: those who were primarily delinquents and not victims, those who were primarily victims and not delinquents, those who were both delinquents and victims, and those who were neither victims nor delinquents.

Nature and Risk of Victimization: Findings From the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement
Survey of Youth in Residential Placement Series
This fifth and final bulletin in the series presents key findings from the Survey of Youth in Residential Placement on youth’s victimization in placement. The findings signal the urgent need for policy and program initiatives that will reduce vicitmization and improve protections for confined youth.

Back to top


News From the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention logo.

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention held its spring meeting on April 12, 2013. For more information about the meeting, read the article "Justice Department Launches Task Force To Improve Responses to Violence Against Children in Tribal Communities" in this issue.

Meetings of the council are open to the public. Visit the Web site to register for the next meeting, learn more about the council, and read minutes from past meetings.

The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is an independent body within the executive branch of the federal government established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and operated in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The council's primary functions are to coordinate federal juvenile delinquency prevention programs, federal programs and activities that detain or care for unaccompanied juveniles, and federal programs relating to missing and exploited children.

 

The council is made up of 22 members—13 ex officio and affiliate members and 9 practitioners. The ex officio members are: the Attorney General; the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development, and Labor; the Assistant Secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Affiliate members are the Secretaries of the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense, and the Interior, and the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of HHS. The nine juvenile justice practitioner members are appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Senate Majority Leader, and the President of the United States.

Back to top


News From the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice
Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice logo.

On March 4, 2013, the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) held a Web-facilitated meeting that included updates on OJJDP’s leadership, organization, and budget. Then-Acting Administrator Melodee Hanes said Robert L. Listenbee would assume his position as the new OJJDP Administrator shortly. Previously, Mr. Listenbee was chief of the Defender Association of Philadelphia's Juvenile Unit for 16 years and a trial lawyer with the association for 27 years.

Ms. Hanes also reported that OJJDP is being reorganized to more accurately reflect the Office's primary work: youth development, prevention, and safety; juvenile justice system improvement; state and community development; and research and innovation. The restructuring will also assist the Office in better supporting the field in a time of declining resources. “The reorganization is still a work in progress,” Ms. Hanes said. “We’ll be waiting to announce the final reorganization when the bugs are all worked out. We’re still assessing the placement of grants, agreements, and projects.”

The budget sequestration that went into effect on March 1, 2013, requires that the Office of Justice Programs cut its budget for the remainder of fiscal year (FY) 2013 by $107 million. However, the cuts will not affect OJJDP’s FY 2012 grants. “We are absolutely committed to protecting the mission of OJJDP, and to mitigating the impact of these cuts on state, local, and tribal areas,” Ms. Hanes said.

Robin Delany-Shabazz, former designated federal official for FACJJ, introduced Kathi Grasso as the new designated federal official. “I am excited by the prospect of supporting the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice in its critical work advising the President, the OJJDP Administrator, and Congress,” said Ms. Grasso. “I recognize that your advice and counsel is invaluable to OJJDP and will inform our policies, programs, and practices.” Ms. Grasso previously served as OJJDP’s Senior Policy and Legal Advisor. Ms. Delany-Shabazz is now Associate Administrator of OJJDP’s State and Community Development Division.

The meeting also featured reports from FACJJ subcommittees on their progress in developing recommendations in four key areas: disproportionate minority contact, school discipline, evidence-based practices, and youth engagement. The recommendations will be presented to the OJJDP Administrator, Congress, and the President later this year.

The committee's meetings are open to the public; anyone may register to attend and observe. Additional information is available on the committee's Web site. Minutes of the March 4 meeting will be posted to the Web site in the coming weeks.

The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice is a consultative body established by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended (Section 223), and is supported by OJJDP. Composed of members of state advisory groups on juvenile justice, 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.

Back to top



Back to News @ a Glance Home


OJJDP Home | About OJJDP | E-News | Topics | Funding | Programs
State Contacts | Publications | Statistics | Events