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April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Photo of young, scared girl.On March 29, 2019, President Donald J. Trump proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month to encourage action to improve the safety and well-being of children, and to honor the professionals and volunteers who protect at-risk children and care for those who have experienced abuse.

Exposure to violence and abuse can cause children significant physical, mental, and emotional harm with long-term effects that can last well into adulthood. OJJDP supports a range of programs, services, and training and technical assistance opportunities to prevent child abuse and mitigate its negative effects.

This month, OJJDP is partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month and join their WE CAN Work to End Child Abuse and Neglect social media campaign. The OJJDP-supported National Children’s Alliance has launched the SHINE Campaign, which lifts up the voices of survivors and empowers local communities to better serve victims of child abuse. During April, the Office’s National Mentoring Resource Center is offering special webinars, a blog, and a newsletter feature that highlight creative partnerships between mentoring organizations and child welfare agencies—partnerships that have proven effective in supporting youth and strengthening families.

 

Following are examples of OJJDP’s ongoing work to assist families, communities, and service providers in promoting the safety of the nation’s children:

Resources:

To learn more about how OJJDP is working to prevent child abuse and mitigate its negative impact through partnerships, programs, and training and technical assistance, visit the Office’s Child Abuse Prevention webpage. OJJDP’s Model Programs Guide provides comprehensive information and resources on risk factors, protective factors, and evidence-based strategies for assisting children and youth exposed to violence and victimization.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Child Abuse Prevention Month website provides the latest resources and outreach materials on engaging communities in the prevention of child abuse. Its 2019 Prevention Resource Guide focuses on protective factors that build on family strengths to foster healthy child and youth development.

The National Children's Alliance convened a workgroup on CACs, which deliver evidence-based interventions to meet the specific needs of physical abuse victims. Child Physical Abuse: A Guide to the CAC Response presents the workgroup’s considerations, tips, and resources.


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OJJDP Participates in National Conference on Juvenile Justice
At the 2019 National Conference on Juvenile Justice, OJJDP Senior Policy Advisor Cynthia Pappas (left) facilitated a session on girls in the juvenile justice system. Presenters included (from left to right) Dr. Lymari Benitez, April Brownlee, and Aggie Pappas from the PACE Center for Girls; and Krista Larson and Cymone Fuller from the Vera Center on Youth Justice.At the 2019 National Conference on Juvenile Justice, OJJDP Senior Policy Advisor Cynthia Pappas (left) facilitated a session on girls in the juvenile justice system. Presenters included (from left to right) Dr. Lymari Benitez, April Brownlee, and Aggie Pappas from the PACE Center for Girls; and Krista Larson and Cymone Fuller from the Vera Center on Youth Justice.
On March 17–20, 2019, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) hosted its annual National Conference on Juvenile Justice in Las Vegas, NV. NCJFCJ provides training, technical assistance, and research to enhance the effectiveness of the nation’s juvenile courts.

At the conference, more than 550 participants attended 50 sessions on a range of juvenile justice topics, including alternatives to detention, trauma-informed justice, crossover youth, solitary confinement, domestic sex trafficking of minors, racial and ethnic disparities, school pathways to the justice system, and juvenile and family drug treatment  courts. OJJDP organized four sessions at the conference.

On March 18, OJJDP Senior Policy Advisor Cynthia Pappas joined Krista Larson and Cymone Fuller from the Vera Center on Youth Justice and Aggie Pappas, April Brownlee, and Lymari Benitez from the PACE Center for Girls for the session “Working With Girls in the Juvenile Justice System: Best Practices.” The session examined the unique pathways that lead girls and young women into the juvenile justice system.

Ms. Larson and Ms. Fuller described the efforts of the New York City Task Force on Ending Girls’ Incarceration to design policies, practices, and programs to interrupt those pathways. Ms. Aggie Pappas, Ms. Brownlee, and Dr. Benitez shared best practices to reduce girls’ involvement with the juvenile justice system in Florida and Georgia, highlighting the 2018 report, Status of Girls and Young Women in Broward County.

Rebecca Burney, J.D., shared lessons learned from the OJJDP-supported National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking in a session moderated by OJJDP Senior Policy Advisor Cynthia Pappas.Rebecca Burney, J.D., shared lessons learned from the OJJDP-supported National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking in a session moderated by OJJDP Senior Policy Advisor Cynthia Pappas.

Later that day, Ms. Pappas moderated the session “Lessons Learned from the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Sex Trafficking,” which featured remarks by Rebecca Burney, J.D., Equal Justice Works Fellow at Rights4 Girls. The session discussed strategies judicial officials can use to identify victims of domestic minor sex trafficking in their courtrooms and to improve outcomes for sexually trafficked and exploited youth based on lessons from the OJJDP-supported National Judicial Institute on Domestic Child Sex Trafficking. The institute provides judges with the opportunity to expand their knowledge about trafficking risk factors, victim identification, effective intervention strategies, and cultural considerations. Ms. Burney focused on the “abuse to prison pipeline,” highlighting No Such Thing, Rights4Girls’ campaign to eradicate the term “child prostitute.”

In a March 19 session titled, “Children With Problematic Sexual Behaviors: Who Are They and How Can the Juvenile Justice System Help?” Paul Shawler, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Oklahoma University’s Health Sciences Center and a member of the training and technical assistance team at the university’s National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth, highlighted the OJJDP-supported Youth With Sexual Behavior Problems program. Dr. Shawler trains multidisciplinary teams across the country in methods to improve prevention, response, and intervention for youth with problematic sexual behavior as well as child victims and families. In this session, Dr. Shawler dispelled myths and misconceptions about youth with problematic sexual behaviors and shared lessons learned from comprehensive, coordinated, community-based interventions.

Shown (from left to right) are Shay Bilchik, Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice; Victoria Chamberlin, a senior research scientist at ICF; and Steven Kremer, Supervisor of Juvenile Court Services in Iowa’s 3rd Judicial District. Ms. Chamberlin facilitated an OJJDP-sponsored panel on juvenile reentry program strategies that are showing promising results in reducing recidivism.Shown (from left to right) are Shay Bilchik, Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform; Victoria Chamberlin, a senior research scientist at ICF; and Steven Kremer, Supervisor of Juvenile Court Services in Iowa’s 3rd Judicial District. Ms. Chamberlin facilitated an OJJDP-sponsored panel on juvenile reentry program strategies that are showing promising results in reducing recidivism.

Victoria Chamberlin, a senior research scientist at ICF, facilitated an OJJDP-sponsored panel on juvenile reentry program strategies that are showing promising results in reducing recidivism. She discussed OJJDP’s Juvenile Justice Systems Improvement Promising Practices initiative, including current findings and resources under development to support state and local efforts in juvenile reentry.

The discussion explored the core elements of successful reentry initiatives, including the importance of organizing a comprehensive team to support reentry planning. Shay Bilchik, Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, focused on current field practices for engaging the juvenile courts in reentry planning and provided an overview of the changing nature of judges’, prosecutors’, and other courtroom staff’s involvement in juvenile proceedings. Steven Kremer, Supervisor of Juvenile Court Services in Iowa’s 3rd Judicial District, highlighted the juvenile justice systems improvement work in Iowa supported by OJJDP.

Resources:

A complete list of conference presentations is available on the NCJFCJ website.


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National Summit on Youth Homelessness Held in Washington, DC
2019 National Summit on Youth Homelessness Banner

Youth run away or become homeless for many reasons, including physical and sexual abuse, abandonment, and aging out of the foster care system with nowhere to go. Research has shown that these youth face a range of challenges related to their health, emotional well-being, and safety. Among other risks, runaway and homeless youth are vulnerable to becoming victims of sex trafficking and entering the juvenile justice system.

The National Network for Youth (NN4Y), a public education and policy advocacy organization, works to prevent and end youth homelessness. As part of that commitment, NN4Y hosts an annual National Summit on Youth Homelessness to focus on how government agencies, policymakers, service providers, youth leaders, and other experts can collaborate to prevent and respond to this serious problem.

The summit, held on March 18–19, 2019, in Washington, DC, featured “Hill Day,” an opportunity for attendees to meet with congressional staff to educate them about youth and young adult homelessness. NN4Y offered a webinar to prepare attendees for the discussions on Capitol Hill.

The event’s plenary sessions included an interactive discussion with members of NN4Y’s Youth Advisory Council as well as panel discussions on proposed congressional legislation that will impact efforts to address youth homeless, legal problems that can arise in helping homeless youth and how to leverage existing legal resources, a review of policy and advocacy initiatives aimed at keeping homeless youth out of the juvenile justice system, and a federal agency roundtable that discussed new and ongoing national initiatives to prevent and respond to youth homelessness.

Dr. TeNeane Bradford, OJJDP Associate Administrator, participated in the event’s federal agency roundtable discussion alongside representatives from the Departments of Education (ED), Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Labor, as well as the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Department of Justice—through OJJDP—committed to incorporating language focused on the needs of homeless and runaway youth in applicable OJJDP fiscal year 2019 and 2020 solicitations; sharing information about ED, HHS, and HUD programs and resources for addressing homeless and runaway youth with the Office’s Title II grantees; and developing opportunities for training state and local grantees on homeless and runaway youth issues in partnership with other federal youth service agencies.

Following the 2019 summit, direct service providers participated in a 1-day training session to earn a Certificate on Human Trafficking for Runaway and Homeless Youth Providers. NN4Y developed the training in partnership with the McCain Institute for International Leadership. The training focuses on how to identify at-risk youth, connect youth who have been trafficked to services, and arrange specialized care.

Resources:

OJJDP recently published a juvenile reentry toolkit that includes guidance on identifying and addressing a youth’s housing needs as part of the transition planning process. For more information on the toolkit, watch this OJJDP video.

OJJDP’s Runaway and Homeless Youth webpage describes the Office’s efforts to address youth homelessness through mentoring, drug treatment courts, reentry, research, and other initiatives. The webpage also provides access to a range of other information and resources, including programs, trainings, and publications.

In January 2019, the Family and Youth Services Bureau, in collaboration with OJJDP, sponsored a webinar panel discussion, How Mentoring Supports Runaway and Homeless Youth Victims and Survivors of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sex Trafficking. The panel discussion tapped into the experiences of programs that provide mentoring services specifically for these youth. The webinar recording is available online.


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OJJDP Observes Second Chance Month
Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs

In 2016, more than 45,000 juvenile offenders were held in residential placement on any given day in the United States, according to OJJDP's Statistical Briefing Book. When these young people return to their communities, they are more likely to go on to lead productive and crime-free lives if they have access to services that can help them navigate that transition. To demonstrate the Administration’s commitment to improving reentry and reducing recidivism, President Donald Trump has proclaimed April as Second Chance Month.

Because a comprehensive system of reentry and aftercare services can make a critical difference for youth leaving confinement, OJJDP offers practical resources and funds research and programs to support reentering youth.

In fiscal year 2018, the Office awarded approximately $13 million to improve outcomes for youth who are transitioning back to their communities.

Under the Second Chance Act: Addressing the Needs of Incarcerated Parents With Minor Children program, OJJDP awarded $7 million to 10 jurisdictions to implement or expand family engagement activities geared toward parents and their minor children. To reduce recidivism and prevent violent crime, the funding also supports transitional reentry services upon release.

The Office also awarded nearly $4 million under its Second Chance Act: Ensuring Public Safety and Improving Outcomes for Youth in Confinement and While Under Community Supervision program. The grants are helping five jurisdictions to implement strategies for the increasing number of reentering youth who have co-occurring substance abuse problems and mental health disorders, as well as those who have been involved in gangs. The program is also funding training and technical assistance to improve community supervision practices for these youth.

In addition, OJJDP awarded nearly $1 million to Child Trends to conduct an impact and implementation evaluation of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice’s reentry improvement efforts. The Department is working to improve outcomes for reentering youth through various initiatives. Efforts include increasing family engagement, using risk-needs assessments to connect youth to services, and transforming case management procedures to ensure continuity of care during youth’s transition to their communities. Researchers will develop recommendations for improving reentry efforts nationwide based on the evaluation findings.

The Performance-based Standards Learning Institute received $1 million from OJJDP to develop a training and technical assistance program that will improve the capacity of reentry programs and state and local governments to collect, analyze, and report data.

To learn more about OJJDP's reentry work, visit the Office’s website at OJJDP.gov.

Resources:

On March 12, 2019, OJJDP presented a webinar titled “Spotlight on Family Engagement in Youth Reentry.” The webinar highlighted the promising practices of state and local agencies to engage families in supporting youth reentry efforts, both during and after their release from confinement. The webinar recording is available online.

OJJDP’s Reentry Starts Here: A Guide for Youth in Long-Term Juvenile Corrections and Treatment Programs serves as a toolkit for youth in placement as they prepare to reenter their communities. It provides resources to help youth set and attain their goals, whether that is returning to school, applying for housing, getting a job, or seeking support services. The guide also provides practical steps youth can take to overcome barriers commonly experienced upon reentry. Watch a video about the guide.

The Office’s Implementation Guide, or I-Guide, provides information on the beginning stages of implementing a juvenile reentry program. The I-Guide includes research on programs that offer comprehensive reentry services for youth while they are in a juvenile facility and continue upon their transition to the community.


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Stakeholder Corner: Youth Collaboratory
Kendan Elliott, Collaboratory's Technical Assistance Manager, and Dashamir Pettway, Youth Catalyst Team Consultant, at the OJJDP-supported National Mentoring Summit, held on January 30–February 1, 2019.Kendan Elliott, Youth Collaboratory’s Technical Assistance Manager, and Dashamir Pettway, Youth Catalyst Team Consultant, at the OJJDP-supported National Mentoring Summit, held on January 30–February 1, 2019.
By Kendan Elliott, Technical Assistance Manager, Youth Collaboratory

Youth Collaboratory, with funding from OJJDP and in partnership with the Center for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT) at Wichita State University (Kansas), provides training and technical assistance to organizations that are working with young victims of commercial sexual exploitation and domestic sex trafficking.

Our goal is to increase the capacity of providers to identify and enroll youth who are in need of services, develop mentoring service models and training that address the needs of these youth, and enhance strategies for recruiting and maintaining mentors. Youth Collaboratory and CCHT also share best practices for working with survivors, both with the grantee community and youth service providers nationwide.

left quoteIt is inspiring to see young individuals from different walks of life, cultures, and identities coming together with a dedication to modify systems, programs, and projects to meet the needs of youth and young adults. Every day is a learning experience with the Youth Catalyst Team. right quote

—D.T., Youth Catalyst Team member

In implementing this project, Youth Collaboratory and CCHT recognized a need for training and technical assistance to be informed by young people who have direct experience navigating systems and services. With support from OJJDP, in 2018 we launched the Youth Catalyst Team, a national leadership development opportunity for young people ages 16–24. Different from many youth leadership initiatives, members are never asked to share “their story” or disclose personal experiences. Through this initiative, team members operate as paid consultants, using their knowledge, skills, and direct understanding of systems and services to improve program practices and effect systems change.

The Youth Catalyst Team is still a new effort, but it is already having a powerful impact on the work to prevent and end youth trafficking, abuse, exploitation, homelessness, and system involvement, and to increase positive outcomes for young people. The youth leaders are skilled at identifying strengths, gaps, barriers, and solutions in programs as a result of their own firsthand experience. Youth Collaboratory and CCHT have found that partnering directly with these young people and leveraging their expertise strengthens the training and technical assistance we offer and the resources we develop.

Following are examples of projects and activities in which youth leaders have played a pivotal role:

left quoteMy experiences as a young leader have taught me a lot about the way I work and what my passions are. Sharing my experience and perspective about what works and does not work for young individuals gives me a sense of hope for the future. But the importance of this goes well beyond my own development. Agencies working with youth and young adults are more successful when there is a youth leadership group sharing their insights and experiences. right quote

—D.T., Youth Catalyst Team member

In addition to the team’s impact in the youth services field, team members report experiences of personal growth and professional development through their participation. Youth Collaboratory and CCHT have provided training for youth leaders on best practices in mentoring and effective approaches for working with survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, among other related topics. Some youth have also had the opportunity to attend workshops at national conferences and other trainings to gain new skills, knowledge, and experiences that they will continue to build on in their own lives.

Youth Collaboratory and CCHT are expanding the Youth Catalyst Team in 2019. We’re looking forward to welcoming new members and continuing to work in partnership with young leaders to continue enhancing the training and technical assistance provided in this project, and to develop training, tools, and resources to impact the broader youth services field. We appreciate the support of OJJDP in this important initiative.


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Research Central: OJJDP Releases Findings From Study on Dual System Youth

Youth who have been involved with both the child welfare and juvenile justice systems—commonly known as “dual system youth”—often are not recognized and do not receive services targeted to their individual needs because of challenges in cross-system communication and collaboration. In an effort to address these challenges, in 2015 OJJDP launched a data collection and analysis project, the Dual System Youth Design Study, led by Denise Herz, Ph.D., and Carly Dierkhising, Ph.D., of California State University, Los Angeles.

The project aimed to:

To identify best practices in cross-system collaboration, the researchers reviewed data from sites participating in the Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice Reform’s Crossover Youth Practice Model. The top three practices used in developing cross-system collaboration were early identification of dual involvement, improved information sharing across the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and coordinated case supervision across the two systems. Positive outcomes among jurisdictions using these collaborative practices included fewer petitions at the 9-month followup and increased youth involvement in prosocial activities.

This portion of the study also produced the OJJDP Best Practices for Dual System Youth Rubric, which provides an inventory and description of best practices that can be used across jurisdictions and provides a baseline for jurisdictions to assess their level of cross-system collaboration. The rubric identifies 11 essential categories of practice that are critical to collaboration and provides a tool for jurisdictions to use in determining where they fall on the spectrum for each area of practice. The rubric enables jurisdictions to identify areas for further development and improvement.

To learn more about the prevalence and characteristics of dual system youth, researchers focused on three geographical areas—Cuyahoga County, OH; Cook County, IL; and New York City—that had the capacity to electronically “link” data from child welfare and juvenile justice administrative records. The researchers found that among a cohort sample of youth adjudicated in juvenile court, a high percentage were dual system youth: 44.8 percent in Cook County, 68.5 percent in Cuyahoga County, and 70.3 percent in New York City. The analysis confirmed existing data that show that involvement with the child welfare system typically precedes contact with the juvenile justice system.

Dual system youth had higher rates of overrepresentation of African Americans and a higher proportion of females than youth who had been involved only in the child welfare or juvenile justice system. Dual system youth also had longer histories in the child welfare system, more placements, and higher rates of recidivism than youth who had been involved in only one system. In addition, these youth more commonly had contact with additional systems (e.g., criminal justice system, shelter care, public assistance) in young adulthood compared to their peers who had been involved in only one system.

One of the core goals of the Dual System Youth Design Study was to propose a method for developing a national estimate. The researchers concluded that the best way to accomplish this goal is to use linked data from a “representative” sample of states and jurisdictions (a sample that can be generalized to create an accurate national estimate). The inconsistent quality of child welfare data and the limited availability of juvenile justice data across states and jurisdictions present a major challenge to achieving this goal. The study includes specific recommendations for systematically assessing the quality and availability of child welfare and juvenile justice data, and using this knowledge to derive a representative sample. In addition, the researchers offer policy and practice recommendations to more efficiently integrate the services and information resources of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Resources:

A summary of the Dual System Youth Design Study is available on the OJJDP website.

For information on the study findings, visit the website of the OJJDP-supported National Criminal Justice Reference Service.


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Upcoming Events

Advanced Forensic Interviewing: April 23–25, 2019

National Children's Advocacy Center logoSponsored by the National Children’s Advocacy Center, this training is designed for experienced interviewers who are responsible for initial forensic interviews of children and who currently work with a multidisciplinary team. The training begins with a review of best practices and then addresses specific populations that require forensic interviewers to adapt their practice. The training will take place in Kiawah Island, SC, and will also be offered October 1–3, 2019, in Santa Fe, NM. Registration information is available online.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference: May 1–3, 2019

 

To be held in Houston, TX, this conference will focus on the latest products and services in the youth development field and the development of plans and strategies to better serve the 4 million children and youth who participate in local clubs. Attendees will include outstanding club youth, members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America board of governors, national trustees, local board volunteers, and local club professionals. Registration information is available online.

Forensic Interviews at Trial: Preparation and Presentation: May 8–9, 2019

Designed for prosecutors and forensic interviewers, this course hones the skills needed to successfully present testimony and strategically counter common defense tactics during child abuse trials. To be held in Huntsville, AL, the training is sponsored by the National Children’s Advocacy Center. Training methods include lecture and audience discussion, review of recorded forensic interviews, experiential skill-building exercises, and participation in mock court. Registration information is available online.

International Association of Chiefs of Police Technology Conference: May 20–22, 2019

IACP Technology Conference logoThe 2019 Technology Conference, be held in Jacksonville, FL, will offer more than 45 sessions for law enforcement professionals on the latest technology to combat crime. Topics to be covered include the use of advanced GPS technology to address crime trends; the proliferation of private videos and the impact on policing; virtual games for law enforcement officers to build effective decisionmaking skills in stressful situations; understanding and investigating technology-facilitated domestic violence and sexual assault; and empowering first responders in the social media era. Registration information is available online.

National CASA/GAL Conference: June 1–4, 2019

 

This year’s conference will focus on support for children and families involved in the child welfare system; the safe, permanent placement of children; the importance of strong families in successful outcomes for children; current issues facing children and families; and the relevance of the Family First Prevention Services Act to the work of court appointed state advocate/guardian ad litem (CASA/GAL) volunteers. The conference will be held in Atlanta, GA. Registration information is available online.

 

Child Homicide Investigations: June 3–4, 2019

Sponsored by the National Criminal Justice Training Center, this training will focus on understanding and building relationships between the forensic pathologist, homicide investigator, and prosecutor in successfully investigating and prosecuting child homicide cases. Attendees will learn autopsy protocols, forensic essentials, and the criticality of determining the cause and manner of death. The training, which will be held in Las Vegas, NV, will also cover the unique aspects of investigating a child homicide, including interviewing and interrogation, suspect pool development, and the role and importance of the prosecutor in gaining appropriate convictions. Registration information is available online.

Conducting Child Abuse Investigations: June 3–7, 2019National Criminal Justice Training Center logo

To be held in Phoenix, AZ, this training will provide current information about the investigation and prosecution of all types of child abuse cases using a multidisciplinary team approach. Participants will learn about medical evidence, interviewing child victims/witnesses and adult suspects/witnesses, and legal issues involved in the investigation and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases. The training is offered by the National Criminal Justice Training Center. Registration information is available online.

Forensic Interviewing of Children: June 10–14, 2019

Sponsored by the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC), this training is intended for professionals with less than 2 years of experience conducting forensic interviews of children, experienced child abuse professionals seeking to sharpen existing skills, and professionals who want to learn about the current NCAC Child Forensic Interview Structure. The course will be held in Huntsville, AL. Registration information is available online.

The training will also be offered in Huntsville on the following dates in 2019: July 22–26, September 16–20, October 21–25, November 4–8, and December 9–13.

National Law Enforcement Training on Child Exploitation: June 11–13, 2019


This event, to be held in Atlanta, GA, will provide specialized training focused on investigating and prosecuting technology-facilitated crimes against children. The event brings together law enforcement and prosecutorial professionals from every level of government to strengthen critical relationships and learn from experts in their fields. To learn more about the event, read the 2018 National Law Enforcement Training on Child Exploitation post conference report. Registration information is available online.

 

10th Annual School Resource Officer Training Conference: June 18–20, 2019

 

The theme of this conference is Protecting Our Children Through Prevention and Response. To be held in Green Bay, WI, the conference will explore effective crime prevention and response strategies to address school violence and youth victimization. Topics will include the impact of trauma on youth and approaches for working with students who experience mental illness and learning disabilities. The conference is sponsored by the National Criminal Justice Training Center. Registration information is available online.

A preconference training, Threat Assessments and Behavioral Intervention Team Training for K-12 Schools, will be held on June 17. Registration for this training is also available online.

Extended Forensic Interviewing: June 25–27, 2019

This National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) training introduces a model for a multisession forensic interview of a child who is potentially a victim or witness of child abuse or other violent behaviors. An extended forensic interview (EFI) is appropriate for children when the results of a single interview are inconclusive or when there are serious concerns about the child’s ability to participate in a single-session interview. Topics addressed during the training include empirical evidence for multisession forensic interviewing, overview of the NCAC EFI model, the forensic questioning of children, developmental and cultural considerations, and consideration of alternative hypotheses in forensic questioning. The training will be held in Burlington, VT. Registration information is available online.United National Indian Tribal Youth Logo

United National Indian Tribal Youth Conference: July 4–8, 2019

 

This conference, organized by United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), will offer dozens of workshops; keynote speakers; and the UNITY College and Career Expo, which will feature more than 60 exhibitors and vendors. The event also includes a cultural night, talent show, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and the annual UNITY banquet. The conference will take place in Orlando, FL. Registration information is available online.

Multidisciplinary Team Response to Child Sex Trafficking: July 22–25, 2019

This team-based, no-cost training, sponsored by the National Criminal Justice Training Center, will help attendees recognize and locate youth at risk of victimization, differentiate between responses to traditional child abuse and child sex trafficking cases, and create a plan for a multidisciplinary response to child sex trafficking. The training will be held in St. Louis, MO. The registration deadline is May 27. Registration information is available online. The training will also be held September 23–26, in Burlington, VT.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges 82nd Annual Conference: July 28–31, 2019

National Council on  Juvenile and Family Court Judges logoTo be held in Orlando, FL, this conference will cover a range of issues facing the juvenile and family court system. The event will include topic-specific training tracks on family law, juvenile justice, child welfare, and family violence, as well as tracks featuring practical and innovative solutions to current issues. The event is sponsored by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. Registration information is available online.


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News in Brief

First Lady Hosts Meeting of Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt Dummermuth presents First Lady Melania Trump with a publication describing OJJDP programs that promote the safety and well-being of children and families.Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt Dummermuth presents First Lady Melania Trump with a publication describing OJJDP programs that promote the safety and well-being of children and families.

On March 18, 2019, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt Dummermuth participated in a White House roundtable meeting of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs. The working group is composed of representatives from 20 federal departments and agencies that support programs and services focusing on youth. OJJDP Administrator Caren Harp also attended the meeting.

Hosted by First Lady Melania Trump, the meeting focused on federal programs that closely align with the three pillars of Mrs. Trump’s BE BEST initiative: the well-being of children, social media safety, and families affected by opioid abuse. The event included formal presentations by Alex Azar, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services; Ben Carson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Betsy DeVos, Secretary of the Department of Education.

Seated next to the First Lady, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Dummermuth shared a publication describing OJJDP programs that foster child well-being, Internet safety, and substance abuse prevention and intervention. These programs include support of youth mentoring, anti-bullying efforts, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force program, the Opioid-Affected Youth Initiative, and juvenile and family drug courts.

OJJDP Administrator Discusses Juvenile Justice Reform Act at National Association of Counties Conference

Administrator Caren Harp addresses members of the National Association of Counties' Justice and Public Safety Committee. Photo by Denny Henry.Administrator Caren Harp addresses members of the National Association of Counties' Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee. Photo by Denny Henry.

During remarks at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference on March 2, 2019, Administrator Caren Harp highlighted key provisions of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (JJRA) of 2018. Her remarks were delivered at a meeting of NACo’s Justice and Public Safety Policy Steering Committee.

JJRA provisions include an increase in the minimum allocation to states participating in the Formula Grants program, the addition of program areas states may support with formula grant funds, and new protections for youth who are charged and tried as adults. The Act has also added more stringent requirements for detaining low-level, nonviolent offenders who have violated a court order. In addition, states must now describe an “effective” system of monitoring for compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act’s core requirements. The word “effective” is not defined, and Administrator Harp said OJJDP will promulgate a rule to define an effective monitoring system.

Administrator Harp also discussed the Office’s fiscal year 2018 funding—which encompassed more than 290 awards totaling more than $288 million—as well as OJJDP and National Gang Center publications and resources.

NACo’s annual legislative conference brings together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials to focus on federal policy issues that impact counties and their residents.

Videos Offer First-Hand Feedback From Participants in Core Requirements Training

Juvenile justice specialists, compliance monitors, and disproportionate minority contact (DMC) coordinators who participated in OJJDP’s November 2018 Core Requirements Training for States share their experiences related to the Title II Formula Grants program in a series of videos available on the OJJDP website.

OJJDP’s Formula Grant funds help states address juvenile delinquency and support improvements to the juvenile justice system. The funds also help states address deinstitutionalization of status offenders, separation of juveniles from adult inmates, removal of juveniles from adult jails and lockups, and the reduction of DMC in the juvenile justice system. In the videos, state representatives offer feedback on the following questions:

Visit OJJDP’s new Core Requirements Training for States webpage.

National Children’s Advocacy Center Hosts International Symposium on Child Abuse

Thirty-fifth international symposium on child abuse logoOn March 18–21, 2019, the OJJDP-supported National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) hosted the annual International Symposium on Child Abuse in Huntsville, AL. Since 1985, NCAC has trained more than 138,000 child abuse professionals from all 50 states and 113 countries on how to recognize and support maltreated children.

Associate Administrator James Antal attended the conference with other staff in OJJDP’s Special Victims and Violent Offenders Division. “The CAC model for helping child abuse victims and their families works because it is a multidisciplinary approach,” said Mr. Antal. “CACs bring together professionals in medicine, law enforcement, prosecution, and child protective services into one coordinated team. At the symposium, we were honored to interact with many of the practitioners working every day to help child abuse victims and their families.”

In fiscal year (FY) 2018, OJJDP awarded nearly $10 million to fund local child advocacy centers, state chapters, and multidisciplinary teams that investigate and respond to child abuse. The Office also awarded $4.8 million to support continued operations at four regional centers. In FY 2018, the centers offered onsite technical assistance and indepth training on forensic interviews, victim advocacy, multidisciplinary teams, and vicarious trauma, among other topics.

National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony To Be Live StreamedBring our missing children home

The Department of Justice’s commemoration of National Missing Children’s Day will take place on May 22, 2019, in Washington, DC. The annual event, organized by OJJDP, honors the memory of missing children and recognizes extraordinary efforts made by law enforcement personnel and private citizens to protect children from harm.

Awards to be presented this year include the Attorney General’s Special Commendation, Missing Children’s Law Enforcement Award, Missing Children’s Child Protection Award, and Missing Children’s Citizen Award. The winner of the National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest will also be recognized. The contest is intended to promote awareness and encourage teachers, parents, guardians, and other adults to engage children in discussions about safety.

The ceremony will be live streamed. To access the live stream, go to the OJJDP homepage at 2 p.m. on May 22. The recording will remain available online.

New Data Snapshot on Arrests of Older Juveniles and Young Adults Now Available on the Statistical Briefing Book

Arrest Characteristics of Older Juveniles and Young Adults

A new Data Snapshot in OJJDP's Statistical Briefing Book focuses on the characteristics of arrests of older juveniles (ages 15–17) and young adults (ages 18–24) and compares arrest rate trends between 1980 and 2017. In 1980, half of all arrests involved persons ages 15–24; by 2017, the proportion fell to 29 percent. Since 2008, arrest rates declined 60 percent for ages 15–17, 50 percent for ages 18–20, and 31 percent for ages 21–24. In 2017, juveniles ages 15–17 accounted for 19 percent of arrests of persons ages 15–24, but the proportion varied by offense. The proportion of violent crime arrests involving youth ages 15–17 has declined since 1980.

Office of Justice Programs' Blog Highlights School Safety Final Report

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has posted a new blog discussing the Federal Commission on School Safety's final report, which provides federal resources and recommendations for preventing violence in schools. The report highlights OJP resources that are available to help states and local communities implement school safety initiatives. The resources cited include OJJDP’s I-Guide on school-based bullying prevention. The blog also highlights the nearly $47 million in OJP grants made available through the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 to support school violence prevention programs. See OJJDP's Model Programs Guide to learn about programs promoting school safety.

OJJDP Webinar Discusses Trauma-Informed Policing

On March 18, 2019, OJJDP, in collaboration with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), presented “Building Trauma-Informed Police Responses in Your Agency: Training and Tools.” This webinar provided an overview of trauma-informed policing for officers, law enforcement agencies, and communities. Presenters described the phenomenon of trauma, shared data about traumatic exposure, and introduced online training and tools developed by IACP and Yale with support from OJJDP to help agencies build trauma-informed responses. The webinar recording is available online.

New Issue of The AMBER Advocate Available

The AMBER Alert Training and Technical Assistance Center has released a new issue of The AMBER Advocate. The top story describes the importance of training law enforcement first responders to promote readiness from the first report of an endangered, missing, or abducted child. In addition, the issue offers a profile of New Hampshire’s AMBER Alert coordinator and a special feature on how an Ohio AMBER Alert brought a child home safely.

The AMBER Advocate is produced through a cooperative agreement with OJJDP.

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National Gang Center Blog Discusses Study on Reducing Youth Gang Membership and Delinquency

The National Gang Center has posted a new blog examining a study cosponsored by OJJDP and the National Institute of Justice on reducing youth gang membership and delinquency among gang-involved youth. The study evaluated a trial modification of the Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model on youth from the Philadelphia Juvenile and Family Court. The study found that the FFT model was effective for reducing delinquency, substance use, and recidivism for youth at high risk for gang membership.


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New Publications

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

Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court, 2016 Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court, 2016 (Fact Sheet, National Report Series)
NCJ 252473

This fact sheet presents national estimates of delinquency cases handled by juvenile courts in 2016 and analyzes caseload trends since 2005. In 2016, juvenile courts in the United States handled 850,500 delinquency cases that involved juveniles charged with criminal law violations, 4 percent less than the number of cases handled in 2015. From 2005 through 2016, the number of delinquency cases declined 49 percent, with decreases experienced in all four offense categories: property offense cases (down 54 percent), public order offense cases (down 51 percent), person offense cases (down 44 percent), and drug law violation cases (down 42 percent). In 2016, property offense cases accounted for the largest proportion (33 percent) of the delinquency caseload, followed by person offense cases (29 percent), public order offense cases (25 percent), and drug offense cases (13 percent). The estimates are based on data from nearly 2,500 courts with jurisdiction over 86 percent of the nation’s juvenile population in 2016.

View and download this publication.


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News From the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Seal of Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

In 2017, more than 70,000 Americans died of a drug overdose, and more than 47,000 of those deaths involved opioids. The rate of opioid overdose deaths among youth ages 15–24 has increased significantly since 1999, with 4,094 deaths in this age group in 2017.

The March 14, 2019, meeting of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention highlighted a range of federal initiatives to combat opioid abuse among youth and young adults.

Administrator Caren Harp, Vice Chair of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, responds to a panel discussion on the opioid crisis at the Council’s March 14, 2019, meeting.Administrator Caren Harp, Vice Chair of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, responds to a panel discussion on the opioid crisis at the Council’s March 14, 2019, meeting.
June Sivilli, Associate Director of Public Health, Education, and Treatment at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, provided an overview of the Administration’s Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse, which has included significant increases in federal funding; a White House Opioid Summit in March 2018; a new website, The Crisis Next Door; and the recent release of the 2019 National Drug Control Strategy.

Ms. Sivilli’s presentation focused on the effectiveness of medication-assisted treatment (MAT)—which combines medications such as methadone and naltrexone with behavioral therapies—in addressing opioid addiction. Compared to behavioral interventions alone, MAT is associated with lower rates of substance use, overdose, and criminal justice system involvement. However, only 1 of 21 youth age 17 and younger and only 1 of 4 young adults ages 18 to 22 receive these medications as part of their treatment.

left quoteCourts should explore ways to engage pediatricians and other physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to encourage medication-assisted treatment.right quote

—June Sivilli
Associate Director of Public Health, Education, and Treatment
Office of National Drug Control Policy

A major challenge in access to MAT is that certain medications require medical professionals to obtain a special waiver from the Drug Enforcement Administration in order to write prescriptions to treat opioid abuse. Among a range of available resources, the Providers’ Clinical Support System offers special training to obtain the waiver, Ms. Sivilli said.

Ramon Bonzon, a public health advisor with the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), emphasized that combating the opioid crisis is one of the top priorities in SAMHSA’s current Strategic Plan. Funding opportunities available to states include the State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis program, which is expanding prevention, treatment, and recovery support services to address the opioid epidemic; and the Medication-Assisted Treatment–Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction, which is helping states improve access to evidence-based MAT services. Among other recent developments, in June 2018, SAMHSA in announced a $930 million funding opportunity for its State Opioid Response program and a $50 million funding opportunity for its Tribal Opioid Response program.

 

Tara Kunkel, a senior drug policy advisor at the Bureau of Justice Assistance, described the Bureau’s Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program. Among other goals, the program aims to divert nonviolent drug offenders from prosecution and connect individuals to treatment services; expand evidence-based treatment, including MAT, in jails and prisons; increase peer support services and recovery housing; and prioritize real-time data collection, analysis, and dissemination. Ms. Kunkel highlighted the Bureau’s substantial investments in ODMAP, a digital tool that enables communities to mobilize an immediate response to a sudden increase in overdose events. In fiscal year (FY) 2018, the Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program issued 168 awards totaling $175 million—a dramatic increase from the 50 awards totaling $27 million issued in the previous fiscal year.

left quoteThe sites participating in OJJDP’s Opioid Affected Youth Initiative are establishing multidisciplinary task forces to identify areas of concern, collecting and interpreting data to better coordinate response efforts, and implementing services to address prevention, intervention, and diversion.right quote

—Kellie Blue
Associate Administrator, OJJDP

Kellie Blue, OJJDP Associate Administrator, summarized the Office’s initiatives to address the opioid epidemic. The Opioid Affected Youth Initiative awarded $7 million in FY 2018 to support the development of a data-driven, coordinated response to opioid abuse in six sites. OJJDP’s Mentoring Strategies for Youth Impacted by Opioids program provided $3.5 million to seven sites to support mentoring services as part of a prevention and treatment approach for youth impacted by opioids. In addition, OJJDP’s Statewide and Regional Mentoring Initiative for Youth Impacted by Opioids awarded $6.2 million to national mentoring organizations, states, and tribal governments to implement statewide or regional approaches to expand mentoring for youth affected by opioids. Finally, OJJDP awarded $16.2 million to support juvenile and family drug courts through programs, training and technical assistance, and research.

The meeting of the Coordinating Council concluded with remarks by Betty-Ann Bryce, a special advisor on rural issues at the Office of National Drug Control Policy. She cited major challenges associated with substance abuse in rural communities, including difficulty in accessing medical care, unemployment, and a social services infrastructure under stress. In October 2018, the Department of Agriculture and Office of National Drug Control Policy unveiled a new Rural Resource Guide, which offers a “one-stop-shop” listing for rural leaders seeking federal funding and partnership opportunities to address the opioid crisis; and a community assessment tool, an interactive database to help community leaders assess how and why the opioid epidemic is impacting their regions.


The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is an independent body within the executive branch of the federal government operated under 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. In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Council holds public meetings up to four times a year in which members discuss activities to facilitate and support cross-agency coordination.


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News From the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice
Seal of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice OJJDP has restructured the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) to enable the Office to better meet its mandate of responding to states’ concerns and addressing emerging issues in the juvenile justice field. The streamlined committee, which held its first meeting on March 22, 2019, consists of 14 state advisory group (SAG) members who represent diverse perspectives, subject-matter expertise, and geographic locations. At the meeting, members elected Joseph Vignati as the FACJJ Chair and Melanie Shapiro as Vice Chair.

OJJDP leadership and staff gathered for a group photo with FACJJ members at the committee’s March 22, 2019, meeting. Back row from left to right: Judge David Hejmanowski, Kenneth Tramble, Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin, Corey Haines, Korey Solomon, Anthony Pierro, Adolphus Graves, and Tina Borner. Front row from left to right: Thomas Rose, Judge Thomas Frawley, Elizabeth Wolfe, Melanie Shapiro, Kathryn Richtman, Richard Thompson, Michael Arrington, Chyrl Jones, and Caren Harp.OJJDP leadership and staff gathered for a group photo with FACJJ members at the committee’s March 22, 2019, meeting. Back row from left to right: Judge David Hejmanowski, Kenneth Tramble, Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin, Corey Haines, Korey Solomon, Anthony Pierro, Adolphus Graves, and Tina Borner. Front row from left to right: Thomas Rose, Judge Thomas Frawley, Elizabeth Wolfe, Melanie Shapiro, Kathryn Richtman, Richard Thompson, Michael Arrington, Chyrl Jones, and Caren Harp.

Following are brief biographies of FACJJ members:

Michael Arrington, a managing partner of the law firm Parkowski, Guerke & Swayze, has chaired the Delaware Juvenile Justice Advisory Group for the last 15 years. He was a FACJJ member from 2005 to 2008. From 1992 to 2000, Mr. Arrington worked as Director of Special Court Services for the Family Court of the State of Delaware. His professional affiliations include the Juvenile Crime Enforcement Coalition, Smart on Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, and Children’s Trust Fund. Mr. Arrington received the Delaware State Bar Association Outstanding Service to the Courts and Bar Award in 2009 and the Delaware State Judiciary Award of Special Merit in 2005. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from St. Joseph’s College, a master’s degree in educational administration from Villanova University, and a law degree from the Widener University School of Law.

Thomas Frawley is a senior judge who has served as presiding judge in Missouri’s 45th Judicial Circuit, where he handled civil, criminal, and family law proceedings. He also served as a circuit judge in the 22nd Judicial Circuit, where he was assigned to family court and the juvenile division. In that division, Judge Frawley was responsible for all juvenile court proceedings (i.e., care and protection, delinquency, termination of parental rights, and adoption). He implemented the Juvenile Court Improvement Project, designed to decrease the amount of time children spend in foster care and improve outcomes for children and youth. Among other activities, Judge Frawley is currently a member of the Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group and the Missouri State Foster Care and Adoption Board. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hamilton College and a law degree from the University of Missouri Law School (Columbia).

Adolphus Graves is Director of Probation Services in Fulton County (GA) Juvenile Court. Previously, he served as chief probation officer as well as chief of staff in Clayton County Juvenile Court. Among his many affiliations, he is a member of the Georgia Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group, Juvenile Court Association of Georgia, National Association of Court Managers, American Probation and Parole Association, National Criminal Justice Association, and American Corrections Association. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a criminal justice concentration from Morehouse College and a master’s degree in criminal justice with a public administration concentration from Liberty University.

Corey Haines, Deputy City Manager and Chief of Police for the City of Madison Heights (MI), has been a member of Michigan’s SAG since 2018. Previously, Mr. Haines also served as deputy chief of police, police lieutenant, police sergeant, and as a police officer. Among many other activities, he is a member of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Task Force, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Oakland County Chiefs of Police Association, and the Madison Heights Crime Commission. He received a police academy state certification from Delta College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in public administration from Saginaw Valley State University, and a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School.

David Hejmanowski is a judge in the Delaware County (OH) Probate/Juvenile Court, where he previously served as a juvenile/probate magistrate and juvenile court administrator. He is an instructor at the Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College, where he teaches juvenile and family law, among other topics. He also worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office. Among other professional activities, Judge Hejmanowski is a member of the Ohio Judicial Conference Juvenile Law and Procedure Committee, the Governor’s Council on Juvenile Justice, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges’ Curriculum Committee. Judge Hejmanowski was chair of the Delaware County Bar Association’s Juvenile Committee from 2006 to 2015. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hiram College and a law degree from Ohio State University.

Anthony Pierro is Chief Juvenile Attorney in the Ocean County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office, where he previously served as chief of special litigation and director of the Community Relations Unit as well as assistant prosecutor. The New Jersey Governor appointed Mr. Pierro to New Jersey’s SAG in 2014. Mr. Pierro is a member of the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform’s Juvenile Prosecutors Leadership Network, New Jersey Juvenile Prosecutors Leadership Network, New Jersey Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement, Ocean County Council on Juvenile Justice System Improvement, and Ocean County Youth Services Commission. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Seton Hall University and a law degree from New England Law/Boston.

Kathryn Richtman is Director of the Ramsey County (MN) Attorney’s Juvenile Division, which is responsible for the diversion and prosecution of all of the county’s delinquency cases. She previously served as assistant Scott County attorney and as a judicial law clerk in the First Judicial District. She is a co-chair of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association’s Juvenile Law Committee and a member of the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force, the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, and the Ramsey County Safe Harbors for Youth Planning Committee. Ms. Richtman has served more than 10 years as a member of Minnesota’s SAG. She received the Advocates for Human Rights Special Recognition Award in 2012 and the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office Special Achievement Award in 2008. Ms. Richtman received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law.

Thomas Rose is a member of the Wyoming State Advisory Council on Juvenile Justice. As a teenager, Mr. Rose had first-hand experience with homelessness and the juvenile justice system. “I have lived on both sides of the juvenile justice system,” he said. “I hope to help the Federal Advisory Committee understand the perspective of someone who has been on the other side of that line.” Mr. Rose’s life was transformed by a Wyoming wilderness program for troubled youth. “As a homeless juvenile with no resources but the street, my life expectancy was short,” he said. “Through the intervention of a number of mentors, I turned my life around. I now give back to juveniles because I understand the necessity of a mentor. They need someone who has walked on a parallel path.”

Melanie Shapiro is Director of Juvenile Justice Policy for Maryland’s Office of the Public Defender, where she previously served as chief attorney and supervising attorney in the Baltimore City Juvenile Division. As director, she represents the Office during the Maryland legislative session and in joint efforts to improve the juvenile justice system, including participation in Maryland’s SAG, the Work Group to Study Safe Harbor Policy for Youth Victims of Human Trafficking, and the School to Prison Pipeline Commission. She has also developed trainings and policies for the Office’s juvenile defense practice. Ms. Shapiro most recently served on FACJJ from 2016 to 2018. She received a bachelor’s degree in government with a minor in religious studies from Franklin & Marshall College and a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Korey Solomon, a licensed social worker, has led Northstar In-Home Support Services since the company’s inception in 1997. Based in Kimberly, ID, the organization currently provides all after hours and weekend services in cases involving child abuse for the eastern half of Idaho, under a contract with the Department of Health and Welfare. Mr. Solomon also manages and implements state and county contracts focused on family preservation, juvenile probation, and juvenile corrections. He previously served as a family preservation consultant at the Idaho Youth Ranch, where his work focused on families involved in the child protection and children’s mental health systems. He has been a member of the State of Idaho Juvenile Justice Commission since 2014. Mr. Solomon earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Idaho State University.

Richard Thompson is serving his second term on the North Carolina Juvenile Justice Planning Committee (SAG) and previously served as committee chairman. During this time, he coordinated a panel discussion with statewide stakeholders in juvenile justice, education, law enforcement, and the courts to create innovative ways to improve school safety and standardized training for school resource officers and school personnel. In addition, Mr. Thompson created an orientation process for new SAG members, including an orientation manual. He retired in 2015 from a 30-year career with the North Carolina Adult Probation/Parole Department. Mr. Thompson earned associate degrees in business administration and liberal arts from Emmanuel College (Georgia) and a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor in psychology from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

Kenneth Tramble is Deputy Sheriff in the Ouachita Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Department, where, among other activities, he coordinates an afterschool mentoring program for at-risk youth, called Deputies for Change. The program serves elementary- and middle-school children throughout Ouachita Parish. His other professional experience includes work as a youth investigator for the Louisiana State Department of Corrections, an undercover agent for a metropolitan narcotics unit, and an internal affairs investigator with the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections. Mr. Tramble has 12 years of military experience, including service as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army. Mr. Tramble is a two-time recipient of the National Defense Service Medal. He received his law enforcement training at the North Delta Police Academy and earned an associate degree in criminal justice from the American College of Technology.

Tiffany Wilkerson-Franklin is Associate Youth Specialist and Program Leader for 4-H Youth Development at Southern University’s Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Among other activities, Dr. Wilkerson-Franklin codirects a research project on economic development models in distressed communities in Louisiana; serves as principal investigator on a study of the 4-H LIFE mentoring program for children with incarcerated parents; and coordinates the university’s Second Chance 2 Recover program, which aims to strengthen families experiencing incarceration. Dr. Wilkerson-Franklin was appointed to Louisiana’s SAG in 2017. She received a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation and leisure studies and master’s and doctoral degrees in public administration from Southern University A&M College.

Joseph Vignati is Assistant Commissioner/Chief of Staff at the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, where his previous service included work as deputy commissioner. In his earlier years at the Department of Juvenile Justice, Mr. Vignati developed a continuum of privatized alternative services for youth detained in Fulton and Dekalb Counties. From 2008 to 2014, he worked as administrator of the Justice Division at the Governor’s Office for Children and Families. Mr. Vignati also served as deputy director and grants monitor for the Children and Youth Coordinating Council. His grants work included oversight of 65 state and local grant-funded projects. His term as a SAG member began in 2016. Mr. Vignati received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Augusta University and a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University.

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.


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