This is an archive of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s (OJJDP's) electronic newsletter OJJDP News @ a Glance. The information in this archived resource may be outdated and links may no longer function. Visit our website at https://www.ojjdp.gov for current information.
May | June 2015

News in Brief

OJP Convenes Defending Childhood State Policy Meeting

Defending Childhood Initiative logo

On June 18–19, 2015, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) hosted a Defending Childhood State Policy meeting. The objective of the meeting was to help three states—California, Massachusetts, and Michigan—develop a strategic plan for identifying, screening, assessing, and treating children who suffer from trauma caused by witnessing or experiencing violence in their homes, schools, or communities. OJJDP Administrator Robert L. Listenbee delivered the welcoming remarks and OJJDP’s Catherine Pierce gave the meeting’s closing remarks.

At the meeting, researchers, policymakers, federal officials, and juvenile justice practitioners offered presentations on:

  • Trauma-informed, evidence-based treatments and interventions.
  • Screening and identifying youth in need of intervention.
  • The role and application of equity in child serving systems.
  • Federal funding opportunities.
  • Financial strategies to sustain implementation efforts.
  • Collaboration across systems: lessons learned.

In addition to attending presentations, individual state teams got the opportunity to build their capacity to mitigate children’s exposure to violence by participating in a number of facilitated work sessions. There was also a roundtable discussion of trauma initiatives underway in participating sThumbnail of "First Do No Harm" publicationtates. During the discussion, state representatives shared efforts to develop trauma-informed systems for youth as well as initiatives that focus on the screening, assessment, and treatment of youth with trauma symptoms resulting from exposure to violence.

OJP Diagnostic Center Releases Report on Arresting Parents in the Presence of Children

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Diagnostic Center has published First, Do No Harm: Model Practices for Law Enforcement Agencies When Arresting Parents in the Presence of Children. This report recommends several model practices that law enforcement agencies can use to limit the harm done to children in the aftermath of a parental arrest. The report also provides a detailed treatment of topics related to parental arrest, including the effects and extent of exposure to trauma and violence in children; current efforts at the national, state and local levels to improve the treatment of children during parental arrest; and model practices shown to improve the treatment of children during parental arrest.

OJP Diagnostic Center Releases Guide on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

The OJP Diagnostic Center has published Resource Guide: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. This online guide provides resources and publications to help policymakers address commercial sexual exploitation of children at the state, local, and tribal levels.

Access OJJDP's resources for addressing the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

June Is Internet Safety Month

In May 2007, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senate Resolution 205, establishing June as National Internet Safety Month to raise awareness about threats posed by the Internet and to encourage safe and responsible Internet usage. In recognition of Internet Safety Month, the Office of Justice Programs' (OJP's) National Criminal Justice Reference Service is offering a comprehensive list of resources on Internet safety, including a special section on Internet Safety for Children. In addition, OnGuardOnline.gov, supported by OJP and other sponsors, has provided the Net Cetera Toolkit to help parents, teachers, and other mentors start a conversation with children about navigating the Internet safely.


OJJDP is working to keep children safe online by supporting 61 Internet Crimes Against Children task forces throughout the country, each of which has a community outreach and public awareness component.

In addition, OJJDP staff sits on the editorial board of the www.stopbullying.gov website.

National Partnership for Juvenile Services Issues Guide to Working With Youth in Confinement

This guide from the National Partnership for Juvenile Services, the National Institute of Corrections, and OJJDP contains information intended to inform policy, procedure, and practice in juvenile justice facilities. The Desktop Guide to Quality Practice for Working With Youth in Confinement explores the background, principles, concepts, and knowledge at the core of juvenile justice and services for youth in confinement, and also highlights quality practices, including the skills necessary to effectively serve youth in confinement.

Watch a webinar about the guide or download presentation materials.

IACP Releases Youth Focused Policing Agency Self-Assessment Tool


International Association of Chiefs of Police logo

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), in collaboration with OJJDP, has released the Youth Focused Policing Agency Self-Assessment Tool. This resource will help law enforcement agencies assess their current strengths and areas for improvement in responding to youth crime, delinquency, and victimization. The tool, a component of the IACP’s Improving Law Enforcement Responses to Youth Program also will help them identify trends, resources, and community partnerships to improve the safety and well-being of youth in their communities. Learn more about youth-focused policing from the OJJDP-sponsored IACP Youth Focused Policing Resource Center.

Children's Bureau Unveils National Foster Care Month WebsiteChildren’s Bureau Unveils National Foster Care Month Website

In recognition of this year’s National Foster Care Month, the Children’s Bureau put together a website to recognize and celebrate the children, youth, and families involved with foster care. The 2015 National Foster Care Month website expresses the theme of this year’s commemoration, “Get To Know the Many Faces of Foster Care,” through narratives and videos that showcase the diversity among the children and youth in foster care, types of foster families, and professionals who play central roles in bringing children and families together. The website also provides resources for youth, foster families and caregivers, communities, tribes, and professionals working in foster care.

Juvenile Law Center Paper Addresses Reducing Length of Stay in Youth Facilities

The Juvenile Law Center has released Ten Strategies to Reduce Juvenile Length of Stay. This paper highlights recommendations for states to reduce the length of stay of youth in juvenile facilities and to expand the availability of community-based placement, including services for youth living at home. The paThumbail of the Equity Project's Training Curriculum Guideper cites research findings indicating that lengthy juvenile confinement is costly, largely ineffective at reducing recidivism, and potentially harmful to youth and communities.

Website and Curriculum Guide Support Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth in the Juvenile Justice System

The Equity Project has launched a new website and online training curriculum guide to help juvenile justice practitioners support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth. The user-friendly website and guide provide resources, policy information, and interactive lessons to increase awareness of youth sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression issues within the juvenile justice system. The following topics are covered in the training curriculum: Understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression; Dismantling Bias and Fostering Equity; Enhancing Communication and Building Trust With LGBT Youth; Reducing Risk and Promoting Protection; Ensuring Safety and Equity in Secure Settings; and Respecting and Supporting Transgender Youth.