Federal Youth Court Program NAYC News: The Monthly E-Update The World's Largest E-Update on Youth Courts, Teen Courts, Peer Courts and Student Courts
Volume 4, No. 12 Circulation 5,062	November/December 2006
Announcements Federal Youth Court Program Announces Double Header Training February 25-28, 2007 ~ Las Vegas, Nevada The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges announces their first Federal Youth Court Program's Double Header Training to be held on February 25-28, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This two-track training will assist jurisdictions in developing and implementing effective youth court programs. Track One is designed for those who are interested in establishing a youth court program and for new adult staff and volunteers. Track Two is designed for experienced youth court staff and adult volunteers who seek innovative strategies and techniques to enhance existing local youth court programs. Scott Peterson and Tracy Godwin-Mullins are among the many distinguished faculty and speakers. Don't miss out- registration is limited to 150 participants ! *Go to www.youthcourt.net for registration information.* National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Assumes Lead Role in Federal Youth Court Program As of November 1, 2006, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) entered into a cooperative agreement with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), for the Federal Youth Court Program. The Council of State Governments/American Probation and Parole Association (CSG/APPA) ended its formal role in administering the Federal Youth Court Program and has been working closely with OJJDP and NCJFCJ to assure a smooth transition of products and services. NCJFCJ will be responsible for maintaining www.youthcourt.net, producing future issues of In Session and the NAYC News Monthly E-Updates, and coordinating training and technical assistance. Continue to log on to www.youthcourt.net often to get updates on youth court issues and training opportunities. Law Day 2007 Theme Announced! ABA Division for Public Education Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy Law Day 2007 will take place on May 1st the theme: Liberty Under Law, prompts us to listen to the voices of young people and consider how the law can better serve their needs and interests. It also encourages us to ensure that our youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively make their voices heard within our democracy. Time to get started on your Law Day planning! Sign up to receive a free Law Day Planning Guide (published December 2006) by logging onto www.lawday.org, your one-stop source for Law Day information, tips, and promotional materials. National & Global Youth Service Day 2007 Projects Register your National & Global Youth Service Day 2007 projects. Youth Service America will highlight registered projects through its international media campaign. To learn more, visit http://www.YSA.org/nysd Learn & Serve America - Youth Organized for Disaster Action (Y.O.D.A.) - Best Practices CD Released The Institute for Global Education & Service-Learning has just released a Y.O.D.A. Best Practices CD. Each CD contains a Best Practices Guide with activities and information for beginning a service-learning program; Interdisciplinary Webs for connecting projects to the curriculum; Service Learning Checklists which illustrate how elements including: youth voice, genuine need, reflection, connection to learning, preparation/planning, meaningful service, student assessment, diversity, partnerships, and program evaluation are integrated into a project, and Evaluation Tools. To learn more, visit http://igesl.org/index.html or for a free copy of the CD, e-mail YODA@igesl.org. CMT Launches Campaign to Mobilize One Million Volunteers Country Music Television's pro-social initiative, CMT ONE COUNTRY, has launched "The Power of One," a campaign focused on mobilizing one-million volunteers across the United States by the end of 2007. CMT ONE COUNTRY's mission is to promote volunteerism on a grass-roots level, and "The Power of One" campaign specifically drives viewers to CMTONECOUNTRY.com where they can be matched with volunteer opportunities in their own communities. To learn more, visit http://www.cmt.com/one_country/. No Name-Calling Week 2007 No Name Calling Week 2007 is January 22-26, 2007. Hundreds of schools from across the country will participate by engaging in educational activities aimed at ending name-calling and verbal bullying of all kinds. Although schools are encouraged to take part during the third week in January, educators should feel free to incorporate the No Name-Calling Week curriculum, principles, and resources at any time throughout the school year. To access information about how you can implement a variety of No Name-Calling Week events in your school or local community, please visit the Resources section of the No Name-Calling Week website, at www.nonamecallingweek.org. Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities Reminder to Register for National Videoconference on Juvenile Status Offenders On Thursday, January 18, 2007, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, in conjunction with the American Bar Association's Commission on Youth at Risk and the Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will air the national videoconference "Addressing the Needs of Juvenile Status Offenders and Their Families." This live satellite/Internet videoconference will focus on the factors that may lead a status offender to become more deeply involved in serious risk behavior, offending, and the juvenile justice system. The broadcast will highlight programs, practices, and policies around the country that have shown promise in intervening with status offenders. This program will be available for viewing nationwide via satellite downlink or Internet Web streaming. Visit http://www.trc.eku.edu/jj. Easy Access to State and County Juvenile Court Case Counts Easy Access is a family of web-based data analysis tools developed for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention by the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) to give a larger audience access to recent, detailed information on juvenile crime and the juvenile justice system. Together, the Easy Access applications provide information on national, state, and county population counts, as well as information on homicide victims and offenders, juvenile court case processing, and juvenile offenders in residential placement facilities. Visit the Data Analysis Tools section of OJJDP’s Statistical Briefing Book for a complete list of these applications. http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/ezaco/default.asp The State Juvenile Justice Profiles web site features rich, descriptive information and analysis regarding each state's juvenile justice system, illustrating the uniqueness of the 51 separate juvenile justice systems in this country http://www.ncjj.org/stateprofiles/. Youth Cases for Youth Courts: A Guide to the Typical Cases Handled by Youth Courts With funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the support of the Department of Education and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the American Bar Association has created a valuable resource for new and existing youth courts, Youth Cases for Youth Courts: A Guide to the Typical Cases Handled by Youth Courts. This new publication sets out the factors youth courts should consider when deciding what kinds of cases they should accept. It describes some of the red flags that should trigger careful consideration of whether a particular referral is appropriate for youth court. The Guide also outlines some of the special issues youth courts face with respect to twenty-seven commonly-heard offenses, and provides a summary of the typical dispositions youth courts make. The Guide was created with the assistance of an Advisory Committee of youth court leaders and experts, some of whom have worked in youth courts for more than a decade. The Guide can be downloaded at http://www.abanet.org/publiced/youthcases_youthcourts.pdf, or ordered from the ABA store at www.abanet.org/abastore. OJJDP Announces Special Project Bulletins The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of three Special Project Bulletins developed by the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) with support from OJJDP. The Special Project Bulletin series is produced by NCJJ's Technical Assistance to the Juvenile Court Project. The three new bulletins are: "Guide to the State Juvenile Justice Profiles" guides users through the layout and content of the State Juvenile Justice Profiles Web site. "The Importance of Timely Case Processing in Non-Detained Juvenile Delinquency Cases" lists seven steps for achieving timely court processing, a key principle of the "Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines," and describes promising practices and programs that help courts speed up case processing of non-detained delinquency cases. "How Does the Juvenile Justice System Measure Up? Applying Performance Measures in Five Jurisdictions" presents a case for measuring and reporting juvenile justice system performance outcomes and describes six essential features of a strategy for measuring juvenile justice performance. Funding Opportunities A Lion in the House Community Service Grants DEADLINE FEBRUARY 1, 2007 Youth Service America is proud to offer A Lion in the House Community Service Grants. Complementing the highly-acclaimed film by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, these grants of $300 are designed for youth (ages 12-25) and youth-serving organizations (schools, youth groups, clubs, etc.) to design service projects addressing pediatric cancer. Projects should be youth-led and take place as part of National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. To learn more, visit http://www.ysa.org/awards. Publications and Resources Just Released: Facing the Future Educational Materials for Engaging Youth Through Global Issues "Engaging Students Through Global Issues: Activity-Based Lessons and Action Projects" has just been released for download by Facing the Future. Topics include sustainable development, refugees, ecological footprint, and climate change. To learn more, visit http://facingthefuture.org/Members/index.html. Guide Lists Federal Resources for Youth Development Published by America's Promise, a coalition of communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting youth development programs, the "Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development" provides information on federal funds available to support youth development programs. The guide lists more than 100 federal programs, including programs from the U.S. Department of Justice, which are cross-referenced to five core resources regarded as crucial to effective youth development. The “Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development” is available online at http://www.americaspromise.org/partners/federal_funding_guidelines.pdf. Washington Youth Voice Handbook Now Available CommonAction is excited to announce the availability of the brand-new "Washington Youth Voice Handbook." This 150+ page publication provides a clear map to the essentials of Youth Voice, happens in diverse communities across Washington State. More than 50 programs, schools, and organizations are featured. To lean more, visit http://www.commonaction.org/publications.htm. Other Resources Available on www.youthcourt.net http://www.abanet.org/justice/pdf/youthcourtsroadmap.pdf http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/Street_Law.pdf http://www.crf-usa.org/YouthCourt/GivingBack_home.html http://www.youthcourt.net/Street_Law/Alcohol_Lesson.htm http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/guidelines.pdf State and Local News Teens Pledge to Resolve Conflicts New officers of Corcoran Student Court are excited about the opportunity to help the school. The court has been around in Syracuse high schools since 2002, but this is the first time a city official has sworn in its members. Judy Wolf who supervises the court said “the program has changed this year, the numbers of referrals to the courts were down at Henninger and Fowler and downsizing allowed her to focus on the other two schools. The goal is to build it up again. The whole goal is not only to hold them accountable for their bad decisions but to try to get things right for them, get them back on track with school." BJS Reports Decrease in Serious Violent Crimes at School On December 3, 2006, the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Statistics issued the following press release: Washington—The rate of serious violent crime––rape, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault –– at the nation's schools fell from six victimizations per 1,000 students in 2003 to four per 1,000 in 2004, according to a new report by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. To access the report, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/iscs06.htm. Study Shows Washington State Teen Courts Effective According to a study of Washington State by The Urban Institute, affiliated with the U.S. Justice Department, teens whose cases are heard in teen courts have a 6 percent recidivism rate, compared to an 18 percent rate for those whose cases are heard through a traditional juvenile court. Taxpayers save $9,200 for each case diverted to teen courts, the study shows. The theory is simple: if peer pressure gets kids into trouble, it should be able to keep kids out of trouble, or effectively set them straight when they stray, teen-court backers say. As long as teens know they will be accepted back into the law-abiding fold, it works. Washington State has at least 21 teen courts with several others in the planning stages. Teen Court Empowering The process of a Teen Court helped a juvenile learn the concept of restorative justice. Having a voice means knowing what young people believe and acting upon those principles — and voting is a way to enact those beliefs. It's also a way to restore justice to those of us who have felt silenced in the past to understanding the importance of opinions by local teens and young adults. Tucson, Arizona Published11.03.2006 http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/154081 Teen Court Founder Wins Realtor “Good Neighbor” Award Five outstanding real estate professionals who dedicate countless volunteer hours to help others in their communities have been named winners for the 2006 Good Neighbor Awards by the National Association of Realtors. Lolita Junk, Diversified Real Estate Services/GMAC, Galesburg, Illinois, who founded the Knox County Teen Court, was one of the five people recognized for their selfless contributions to their community. Lolita founded the first teen court in Illinois in 1995 in Knox County. The Knox County Teen Court has helped more than 1,500 juvenile non-violent first-time offenders get a second chance for a clean record while holding them accountable for their actions. She will receive her award in front of an audience of 6,000 Realtors and guests attending the 2006 Realtors Conference & Expo in New Orleans in November. Additionally, Lolita will receive a $10,000 grant for a charity of her choice. Gila Valley, Arizona Teen Court Highlighted (http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2006/12/04/local news/news07.txt) Teen Court extends young arm of the law By Steph Slater, Staff Writer Teenagers can often find themselves in the court system for many reasons, from peer pressure to youthful ignorance, but a program in the Gila Valley called Teen Court aims to educate, inspire and liberate teens through community service and accountability. The students who volunteer in Teen Court really take their roles seriously and show respect for the system in the way they prepare for cases, dress for the part and behave in the courtroom,” Sanders said. Teen Court has also been an educational and inspirational program for the teen volunteers and the teens on trial. Many students involved in Teen Court have said they were inspired to go into law school or law enforcement. Sanders said the success of Teen Court is also very high because most of the teens on trial do not become repeat offenders. “I would say that the vast majority, probably about 90 percent, don’t ever come back into juvenile court again,” Sanders said. Although Teen Court is a part of hundreds of communities, the Teen Court in Graham County has been operating since the late 1990s and was started by Judge R. Douglas Holt. Teenagers who have committed a felony or a crime involving a victim are not given the option of Teen Court, and it is reserved for teens who are first-time offenders. Starting next month, teens who are first-time offenders with drug possession will be given the option of attending Teen Court. Some of the sentencing options, however, will be a requirement and not left up to the discretion of the teen jurors. Legislation/Research An Update on Teen Court Legislation Published with support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 12-page bulletin offers an overview of youth court legislation in the United States. This bulletin, written by Michelle E. Heward, a professor of criminal justice at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, provides a helpful resource for states contemplating revising or drafting such legislation. “An Update on Teen Court Legislation” is available online at http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/paper.pdf. Encourage others to subscribe! Forward this message to adult & youth involved in Youth Court. We are always interested in your comments and ideas. Please contact us. Have things you would like us to include in future issues of the NAYC News Monthly E-Update? Click here.	Sponsored by: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Department of Education National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges You can print 8-1/2 x 11 versions of your choice of poster on your own color printer. Great for posting on bulletin boards or using as flyers! To access the .PDF click on the picture of the poster version you are interested in from the four versions shown below, or go to www.youthcourt.net. (Youth Court) (Teen Court) (Peer Court) (Student Court) Encourage Others to Join the more than 5,000 persons who receive the NAYC News Monthly E-Update! Increase support for your youth court on a local level by keeping your local stakeholders informed of what is going on nationally in the youth court field. Print a copy of this issue and distribute it to your advisory committee members, board of directors, and youth volunteers. Encourage them to visit www.youthcourt.net where they can register to receive a free copy.
Contact Us: National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges Phone: 775-784-6012 P.O. Box 8970 Fax: 775-784-6628 Reno, NV 89507 Email: youthcourt@ncjfcj.org Website: www.youthcourt.net
If you would like to unsubscribe from the NAYC News Monthly E-Update, please click here

Federal Youth Court Program

NAYC News: The Monthly E-Update

The World's Largest E-Update on Youth Courts, Teen Courts, Peer Courts and Student Courts

Volume 4, No. 12 Circulation 5,062

November/December 2006

Announcements

Federal Youth Court Program Announces

Double Header Training

February 25-28, 2007 ~ Las Vegas, Nevada

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges announces their first Federal Youth Court Program's Double Header Training to be held on February 25-28, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This two-track training will assist jurisdictions in developing and implementing effective youth court programs. Track One is designed for those who are interested in establishing a youth court program and for new adult staff and volunteers. Track Two is designed for experienced youth court staff and adult volunteers who seek innovative strategies and techniques to enhance existing local youth court programs.

Scott Peterson and Tracy Godwin-Mullins are among the many distinguished faculty and speakers. Don't miss out- registration is limited to 150 participants !

Go to www.youthcourt.net for registration information.

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Assumes Lead Role in Federal Youth Court Program

As of November 1, 2006, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) entered into a cooperative agreement with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), for the Federal Youth Court Program. The Council of State Governments/American Probation and Parole Association (CSG/APPA) ended its formal role in administering the Federal Youth Court Program and has been working closely with OJJDP and NCJFCJ to assure a smooth transition of products and services.

NCJFCJ will be responsible for maintaining www.youthcourt.net, producing future issues of In Session and the NAYC News Monthly
E-Updates, and coordinating training and technical assistance.

Continue to log on to www.youthcourt.net often to get updates on youth court issues and training opportunities.

Law Day 2007 Theme Announced!

ABA Division for Public Education Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy

Law Day 2007 will take place on May 1st the theme: Liberty Under Law, prompts us to listen to the voices of young people and consider how the law can better serve their needs and interests. It also encourages us to ensure that our youth are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively make their voices heard within our democracy.

Time to get started on your Law Day planning! Sign up to receive a free Law Day Planning Guide (published December 2006) by logging onto www.lawday.org, your one-stop source for Law Day information, tips, and promotional materials.

National & Global Youth Service Day 2007 Projects

Register your National & Global Youth Service Day 2007 projects. Youth Service America will highlight registered projects through its international media campaign. To learn more, visit http://www.YSA.org/nysd

Learn & Serve America - Youth Organized for Disaster Action (Y.O.D.A.) - Best Practices CD Released

The Institute for Global Education & Service-Learning has just released a Y.O.D.A. Best Practices CD. Each CD contains a Best Practices Guide with activities and information for beginning a service-learning program; Interdisciplinary Webs for connecting projects to the curriculum; Service Learning Checklists which illustrate how elements including: youth voice, genuine need, reflection, connection to learning, preparation/planning, meaningful service, student assessment, diversity, partnerships, and program evaluation are integrated into a project, and Evaluation Tools. To learn more, visit http://igesl.org/index.html or for a free copy of the CD, e-mail YODA@igesl.org.

CMT Launches Campaign to Mobilize One Million Volunteers

Country Music Television's pro-social initiative, CMT ONE COUNTRY, has launched "The Power of One," a campaign focused on mobilizing one-million volunteers across the United States by the end of 2007. CMT ONE COUNTRY's mission is to promote volunteerism on a grass-roots level, and "The Power of One" campaign specifically drives viewers to CMTONECOUNTRY.com where they can be matched with volunteer opportunities in their own communities. To learn more, visit http://www.cmt.com/one_country/.

No Name-Calling Week 2007

No Name Calling Week 2007 is January 22-26, 2007. Hundreds of schools from across the country will participate by engaging in educational activities aimed at ending name-calling and verbal bullying of all kinds.

Although schools are encouraged to take part during the third week in January, educators should feel free to incorporate the No Name-Calling Week curriculum, principles, and resources at any time throughout the school year. To access information about how you can implement a variety of No Name-Calling Week events in your school or local community, please visit the Resources section of the No Name-Calling Week website, at www.nonamecallingweek.org.

Training and Technical Assistance Opportunities

Reminder to Register for National Videoconference on Juvenile Status Offenders

On Thursday, January 18, 2007, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, in conjunction with the American Bar Association's Commission on Youth at Risk and the Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will air the national videoconference "Addressing the Needs of Juvenile Status Offenders and Their Families."

This live satellite/Internet videoconference will focus on the factors that may lead a status offender to become more deeply involved in serious risk behavior, offending, and the juvenile justice system. The broadcast will highlight programs, practices, and policies around the country that have shown promise in intervening with status offenders. This program will be available for viewing nationwide via satellite downlink or Internet Web streaming. Visit http://www.trc.eku.edu/jj.

Easy Access to State and County Juvenile Court Case Counts

Easy Access is a family of web-based data analysis tools developed for the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention by the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) to give a larger audience access to recent, detailed information on juvenile crime and the juvenile justice system. Together, the Easy Access applications provide information on national, state, and county population counts, as well as information on homicide victims and offenders, juvenile court case processing, and juvenile offenders in residential placement facilities. Visit the Data Analysis Tools section of OJJDP’s Statistical Briefing Book for a complete list of these applications. http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/ezaco/default.asp

The State Juvenile Justice Profiles web site features rich, descriptive information and analysis regarding each state's juvenile justice system, illustrating the uniqueness of the 51 separate juvenile justice systems in this country http://www.ncjj.org/stateprofiles/.

Youth Cases for Youth Courts: A Guide to the Typical Cases Handled by Youth Courts

With funding from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the support of the Department of Education and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the American Bar Association has created a valuable resource for new and existing youth courts, Youth Cases for Youth Courts: A Guide to the Typical Cases Handled by Youth Courts. This new publication sets out the factors youth courts should consider when deciding what kinds of cases they should accept. It describes some of the red flags that should trigger careful consideration of whether a particular referral is appropriate for youth court. The Guide also outlines some of the special issues youth courts face with respect to twenty-seven commonly-heard offenses, and provides a summary of the typical dispositions youth courts make. The Guide was created with the assistance of an Advisory Committee of youth court leaders and experts, some of whom have worked in youth courts for more than a decade. The Guide can be downloaded at http://www.abanet.org/publiced/youthcases_youthcourts.pdf, or ordered from the ABA store at www.abanet.org/abastore.

OJJDP Announces Special Project Bulletins

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) announces the availability of three Special Project Bulletins developed by the National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) with support from OJJDP. The Special Project Bulletin series is produced by NCJJ's Technical Assistance to the Juvenile Court Project.

The three new bulletins are:

"Guide to the State Juvenile Justice Profiles" guides users through the layout and content of the State Juvenile Justice Profiles Web site.
"The Importance of Timely Case Processing in Non-Detained Juvenile Delinquency Cases" lists seven steps for achieving timely court processing, a key principle of the "Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines," and describes promising practices and programs that help courts speed up case processing of non-detained delinquency cases.
"How Does the Juvenile Justice System Measure Up? Applying Performance Measures in Five Jurisdictions" presents a case for measuring and reporting juvenile justice system performance outcomes and describes six essential features of a strategy for measuring juvenile justice performance.

Funding Opportunities

A Lion in the House Community Service Grants
DEADLINE FEBRUARY 1, 2007

Youth Service America is proud to offer A Lion in the House Community Service Grants. Complementing the highly-acclaimed film by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, these grants of $300 are designed for youth (ages 12-25) and youth-serving organizations (schools, youth groups, clubs, etc.) to design service projects addressing pediatric cancer. Projects should be youth-led and take place as part of National and Global Youth Service Day, April 20-22, 2007. To learn more, visit http://www.ysa.org/awards.

Publications and Resources

Just Released: Facing the Future Educational Materials for Engaging Youth Through Global Issues

"Engaging Students Through Global Issues: Activity-Based Lessons and Action Projects" has just been released for download by Facing the Future. Topics include sustainable development, refugees, ecological footprint, and climate change. To learn more, visit http://facingthefuture.org/Members/index.html.

Guide Lists Federal Resources for Youth Development

Published by America's Promise, a coalition of communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals supporting youth development programs, the "Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development" provides information on federal funds available to support youth development programs. The guide lists more than 100 federal programs, including programs from the U.S. Department of Justice, which are cross-referenced to five core resources regarded as crucial to effective youth development. The “Guide to Federal Resources for Youth Development” is available online at http://www.americaspromise.org/partners/federal_funding_guidelines.pdf.

Washington Youth Voice Handbook Now Available

CommonAction is excited to announce the availability of the brand-new "Washington Youth Voice Handbook." This 150+ page publication provides a clear map to the essentials of Youth Voice, happens in diverse communities across Washington State. More than 50 programs, schools, and organizations are featured. To lean more, visit http://www.commonaction.org/publications.htm.

Other Resources Available on www.youthcourt.net

http://www.abanet.org/justice/pdf/youthcourtsroadmap.pdf

http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/Street_Law.pdf

http://www.crf-usa.org/YouthCourt/GivingBack_home.html

http://www.youthcourt.net/Street_Law/Alcohol_Lesson.htm

http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/guidelines.pdf

State and Local News

Teens Pledge to Resolve Conflicts

New officers of Corcoran Student Court are excited about the opportunity to help the school. The court has been around in Syracuse high schools since 2002, but this is the first time a city official has sworn in its members.

Judy Wolf who supervises the court said “the program has changed this year, the numbers of referrals to the courts were down at Henninger and Fowler and downsizing allowed her to focus on the other two schools. The goal is to build it up again. The whole goal is not only to hold them accountable for their bad decisions but to try to get things right for them, get them back on track with school."

BJS Reports Decrease in Serious Violent Crimes at School

On December 3, 2006, the Office of Justice Programs' Bureau of Justice Statistics issued the following press release:
Washington—The rate of serious violent crime––rape, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated assault –– at the nation's schools fell from six victimizations per 1,000 students in 2003 to four per 1,000 in 2004, according to a new report by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and the Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. To access the report, visit www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/iscs06.htm.

Study Shows Washington State Teen Courts Effective

According to a study of Washington State by The Urban Institute, affiliated with the U.S. Justice Department, teens whose cases are heard in teen courts have a 6 percent recidivism rate, compared to an 18 percent rate for those whose cases are heard through a traditional juvenile court. Taxpayers save $9,200 for each case diverted to teen courts, the study shows. The theory is simple: if peer pressure gets kids into trouble, it should be able to keep kids out of trouble, or effectively set them straight when they stray, teen-court backers say. As long as teens know they will be accepted back into the law-abiding fold, it works. Washington State has at least 21 teen courts with several others in the planning stages.

Teen Court Empowering

The process of a Teen Court helped a juvenile learn the concept of restorative justice. Having a voice means knowing what young people believe and acting upon those principles — and voting is a way to enact those beliefs. It's also a way to restore justice to those of us who have felt silenced in the past to understanding the importance of opinions by local teens and young adults.
Tucson, Arizona Published11.03.2006
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/154081

Teen Court Founder Wins Realtor “Good Neighbor” Award

Five outstanding real estate professionals who dedicate countless volunteer hours to help others in their communities have been named winners for the 2006 Good Neighbor Awards by the National Association of Realtors. Lolita Junk, Diversified Real Estate Services/GMAC, Galesburg, Illinois, who founded the Knox County Teen Court, was one of the five people recognized for their selfless contributions to their community.

Lolita founded the first teen court in Illinois in 1995 in Knox County. The Knox County Teen Court has helped more than 1,500 juvenile non-violent first-time offenders get a second chance for a clean record while holding them accountable for their actions. She will receive her award in front of an audience of 6,000 Realtors and guests attending the 2006 Realtors Conference & Expo in New Orleans in November. Additionally, Lolita will receive a $10,000 grant for a charity of her choice.

Gila Valley, Arizona Teen Court Highlighted (http://www.eacourier.com/articles/2006/12/04/local news/news07.txt)

Teen Court extends young arm of the law By Steph Slater, Staff Writer

Teenagers can often find themselves in the court system for many reasons, from peer pressure to youthful ignorance, but a program in the Gila Valley called Teen Court aims to educate, inspire and liberate teens through community service and accountability.

The students who volunteer in Teen Court really take their roles seriously and show respect for the system in the way they prepare for cases, dress for the part and behave in the courtroom,” Sanders said.

Teen Court has also been an educational and inspirational program for the teen volunteers and the teens on trial. Many students involved in Teen Court have said they were inspired to go into law school or law enforcement. Sanders said the success of Teen Court is also very high because most of the teens on trial do not become repeat offenders.

“I would say that the vast majority, probably about 90 percent, don’t ever come back into juvenile court again,” Sanders said.

Although Teen Court is a part of hundreds of communities, the Teen Court in Graham County has been operating since the late 1990s and was started by Judge R. Douglas Holt. Teenagers who have committed a felony or a crime involving a victim are not given the option of Teen Court, and it is reserved for teens who are first-time offenders.

Starting next month, teens who are first-time offenders with drug possession will be given the option of attending Teen Court. Some of the sentencing options, however, will be a requirement and not left up to the discretion of the teen jurors.

Legislation/Research

An Update on Teen Court Legislation

Published with support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 12-page bulletin offers an overview of youth court legislation in the United States. This bulletin, written by Michelle E. Heward, a professor of criminal justice at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, provides a helpful resource for states contemplating revising or drafting such legislation. “An Update on Teen Court Legislation” is available online at http://www.youthcourt.net/publications/paper.pdf.

Encourage others to subscribe! Forward this message to adult & youth involved in Youth Court.

We are always interested in your comments and ideas.
Please contact us.

Have things you would like us to include in future issues of the NAYC News Monthly E-Update? Click here.

Sponsored by:

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Department of Education

National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

New
Volunteer
Recruitment
Posters
are now
available
in .PDF
format!

You can print 8-1/2 x 11 versions of your choice of poster on your own color printer. Great for posting on bulletin boards or using as flyers!

To access the .PDF click on the picture of the poster version you are interested in from the four versions shown below, or go to www.youthcourt.net.

(Youth Court)

(Teen Court)

(Peer Court)

(Student Court)

Encourage Others to Join the more than 5,000 persons who receive the NAYC News Monthly
E-Update!

Increase support for your youth court on a local level by keeping your local stakeholders informed of what is going on nationally in the youth court field.

Print a copy of this issue and distribute it to your advisory committee members, board of directors, and youth volunteers.

Encourage them to visit www.youthcourt.net where they can register to receive a free copy.

   Contact Us:
    National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges                      Phone: 775-784-6012
    P.O. Box 8970                                                                                    Fax: 775-784-6628
    Reno, NV 89507                                                                             Email: youthcourt@ncjfcj.org
                                                                                                       Website: www.youthcourt.net

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