Letters with blue background are active links:
 

Building an Effective Citizenry: Lessons Learned from Initiatives by the American Youth Policy Forum in Washington, DC

By: Sarah S. Pearson and
Heather M. Voke
(Published by the American Youth Policy Forum in Washington, DC.; 33 pages)

This document provides an overview of ideas that were presented and discussed during a series of forums and field trips that the American Youth Policy Forum conducted in 2002-2003 that focused on issues related to the development of effective citizenry and youth engagement. Within the document, there is a chapter on “The Power of Youth Court to Build an Effective Citizenry” that describes events and results of a field trip that AYPF organized for policymakers to observe community- and school-based youth courts in West Palm Beach and Broward counties in Florida. The document concludes with recommendations for practices and policies to promote the development of effective and engaged young citizens. 

To order a copy of this publication ($5.00/copy), contact:

American Youth Policy Forum
Publications Dept.
1836 Jefferson Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-775-9731
Fax: 202-775-9733

Download copies of the report at http://www.aypf.org/publications/building-an-effective-citizenry.pdf

The Working Group on National and Community Service
"Court Mandated Community Service: Is It an Effective Rehabilitation Tool For Youth?"
(published December 2002, Youth Service America)

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Empowering Youth Through Education and Service Calendar - 2003

The 12-Month Campaign provides another tool for youth courts to use when educating and building competencies in youth volunteers and respondents of youth courts and when planning community service opportunities and projects. We encourage you to view and use this campaign calendar and the ideas that are presented to augment and enhance the services that you currently provide. For example, most youth courts already provide educational workshops for respondents (i.e., defendants) or in-service training workshops for volunteers on a variety of topics. This campaign gives you alternative issues around which to develop these types of workshops and training programs. Also, almost all youth courts require respondents to perform community service. Therefore, this package can be used to stimulate ideas on different types of meaningful community service activities that youth can be engaged in within their communities. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the National Youth Court Center (NYCC) designed this12-Month Campaign to encourage youth courts across the country to engage their volunteers and respondents in educational and service activities around a common social issue each month. The benefits to youth courts that participate in some (or all) of the monthly-featured social issues include, but are not limited to, the ability to:

Giving Back: A Community Service-Learning Manual for Youth Courts
By: Charles Degelman 
(Published in 2002; 92 pages)

Developed by the Constitutional Rights Foundation in Chicago and Los Angeles, through a subcontract with the National Youth Court Center and OJJDP, this manual gives youth courts tools needed to apply school-based service-learning methods to community service dispositions for youth courts. The manual presents strategies that youth courts can use to introduce youth court defendants/respondents to basic concepts about community, community problems, and ways to address them, as well as skill- and awareness-building activities to introduce the community service learning options. Finally, the manual outlines three community service learning options and methods that youth courts can choose from when developing their community service component. 

To order a copy of this publication, click here.
To download this publication, click here.

In Session Newsletter

In Session is a quarterly newsletter for youth court coordinators, volunteers, and others interested in youth court. Each issue of In Session contains valuable information about publications, resources, and training opportunities, articles on current youth court issues, updates about the Federal Youth Court Program's website, and more! 
 
To read current and past issues of the In-Session Newsletter, click here.

Making Youth Court as Effective as Possible
Technical Assistance Bulletin #25

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

National Program Directory - 2005


Provides the contact information for all active youth court programs listed in the National Youth Court Database on February 2, 2005.  For the most up to date information for youth court programs, please go to:

http://www.youthcourt.net//national_listing/index.htm.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

National Youth Court Guidelines

By: Tracy M. Godwin, Michelle E. Heward, and Tom Spina, Jr.
(Published in 2000;146 pages)

Developed by the American Probation and Parole Association/Council of State Governments (which administered the National Youth Court Center), the National Youth Court Guidelines are designed to give youth courts direction for developing and operating effective programs for the ultimate purpose of increasing program accountability and integrity of the “youth court field.” Each chapter begins with a brief overview of the guidelines that are recommended for that particular program area. Afterwards, each guideline is discussed in more detail. A rationale for each guideline, as well as tips for implementing each guideline is included. At the conclusion of each chapter there is a section that identifies some outcomes youth court programs might reasonably expect if they adhere to the recommendations made in the guidelines.

To order a copy of this publication click here.
To download this publication, click here.

National Youth Court Month Action Kit 2003
 

The 2003 National Youth Court Month Action Kit was developed to assist youth courts in planning, conducting, and promoting community projects and activities to be held during National Youth Court Month. The Action Kit includes event planning information, suggested activities, and resources for youth courts to use for community outreach during the celebration of National Youth Court Month. We hope that the information and samples provided will assist you in being creative, getting involved, and most of all just having fun during National Youth Court Month!

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

National Youth Court Month Action Kit 2004
 

The 2004 National Youth Court Month Action Kit was developed to assist youth courts in preparing for this year’s events. Sections of the Action Kit include tips for planning events and activities, suggested activities to commemorate National Youth Court Month, strategies for communicating more effectively with the media, and a listing of national youth court resources.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

National Youth Court Month Action Kit 2005

The 2005 National Youth Court Month Action Kit was designed to assist youth courts in preparing for this year’s events. Sections of the Action Kit include tips for planning events and activities, suggested activities to commemorate National Youth Court Month, strategies for communicating more effectively with the media, and a listing of national youth court resources.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Network, Constitutional Rights Foundation's Spring 2003 Newsletter
Featuring service learning and youth courts
Spring 2003, Volume 9, No. 3

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Youth Court E-update

The Youth Court E-Update is a monthly electronic communiqué on youth court and related issues.  To read current and past issues of the Youth Court E-update Letter, click here.

Policymakers Support Youth Court Growth - Voices and Recommendations from the Field
By: Sarah S. Pearson
(published in 2004; 9 pages)

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Public Awareness and Service Campaign Calendar 2002

Youth courts already provide or facilitate service to their communities – most often through community service hours that many youth court respondents are required to complete. The National Youth Court Guidelines recommend that youth courts implement a community service component for their program that will help respondents make a meaningful contribution to their community and/or victim, develop needed life skills and competencies, and feel a sense of accomplishment, while still holding them accountable for their actions. Creating community service options for respondents that relate to the 12-Month Public Awareness and Service Campaign is one method by which youth courts can work toward meeting this guideline. The benefits to youth courts that participate in some (or all) of the campaigns include, but are not limited to, the ability to:

To download a copy of this calendar, click here.

Selected Topics on Youth Court: A Monograph

Editor: Tracy Godwin Mullins
(Published in 2004, 118 pages)

Developed by the American Probation and Parole Association/Council of State Governments which administered the National Youth Court Center, this monograph features papers on the following six topics:

• Addressing Truancy in Youth Court Programs

• Underage Drinking and Other Substance Abuse: Opportunities for Prevention and Intervention by Youth Courts

• An Overview of School-Based Youth Court Program Design Options

• Building Culturally Relevant Youth Courts in Tribal Communities

• A Comparison of Statewide Youth Court Associations and Networking Groups

• Media Access Guidelines for Youth Courts

To order a copy of this publication click here.
To download this publication, click here. 

Serving Communities, Changing Lives: Success Stories

Every youth court can relate a favorite anecdote or two about how its program has had a positive impact on individuals and their communities.  Maybe it’s a story about a former respondent who joined youth court as a volunteer after completing his youth court disposition, and later in life became an attorney. Or, maybe it is a story about a shy young girl who never felt confident enough to speak up in class before she volunteered for youth court and had an opportunity to learn and practice public speaking skills on a regular basis.

The “success stories” included within this document are heartwarming and a joy to read. They remind us of the wonderful benefits that youth court programs offer to our nation’s young people, families, and communities.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Street Law for Youth Courts: Educational Workshops

By: Lena Morreale Scott
(Published 2001; Revised 2002; Revised 2006)

Developed by Street Law, Incorporated, through a subcontract with the National Youth Court Center and OJJDP, Street Law for Youth Courts: Educational Workshops is designed as an information resource for youth courts when establishing their educational workshops/programs.  These interactive lessons focus on the most frequent offenses for which youth are referred to youth court: theft, possession of alcohol, possession of marijuana, vandalism, and traffic violations.  The lessons include instructor's guides, lesson plans, and handouts for youth participants.  The lessons are designed to initiate a law-related education program as sentencing options for youth court offender.  The lessons also may be used to train youth court volunteers.

To download a copy of this publication, click here

Teen Courts: A Closer look in the D.C. Region
Author(s): The Urban Institute, Jeffrey A. Butts
Posted: August 01, 2001

To view this publication, click here.

Teen Courts: A Promising Prevention Strategy?
Author(s): The Urban Institute, Jeffrey A. Butts
Posted: July 30, 2001

To view this publication, click here.

Teen Courts: Empowering Youth in Community Prevention and Intervention Efforts
by Tracy Godwin, Project Manager for the American Probation and Parole Association's Teen Courts Initiative
(published in Perspectives Winter 1996 issue)

To download a copy of this article, click here.

The Organization and Operation of Teen Courts in the United States: A Comparative Analysis of Legislation
By Michelle E. Heward, J.D.
(published in 2002, 17 pages)

To download a copy of this publications, click here.

The Role of Conflict Resolution in Youth Courts: Expanding Life Skills for Our Youth
By Marc D. Steiner
(Posted in 2000; Online article)

This online article discusses the benefits of incorporating conflict resolution skill building as part of the youth court competency development component for defendants and for volunteers. It also introduces readers to a 6-step group problem-solving by consensus model that youth court jurors/judge panelists can be taught.

To view a copy of this article, click here.

The State of the World's Children Report 2003

The State of the World's Children 2003 reports on child participation - the ‘right’ of every child at every age, the responsibility of governments, organizations and families, and a way to promote tolerance, respect for human rights, an appreciation of diversity and peace. The report showcases examples from every region of the world of how things are different when children’s viewpoints are taken into account. Photos and artwork are by children. The report includes 9 tables, including a new addition on HIV/AIDS, and 3 maps, which together present a comprehensive set of  economic and social indicators on the well-being of children worldwide.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

The Sudden Popularity of Teen Court
Author(s): Jeffrey A. Butts, Janeen Buck
Posted: March 01, 2002

To view this publication, click here.

Youth Court Enabling Legislation: One Perspective on Utah's Experience
By Michelle E. Heward, J.D.

To read this article, click here.

Youth Court Training for Results

Technical Assistance Bulletin

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Youth Court Volunteer Training Package
By: Margaret E. Fisher
(Published in 2001)

Based on the National Youth Court Guidelines, these instructional resources for youth court staff offer high-quality materials for training youth court volunteers. They provide trainers with the opportunity to model the qualities inherent to effective youth courts and to examine some of the universal moral principles and common codes of behavior that underlie legal systems - honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion.

The complete training package includes:

• Guide for Trainers with lessons for all youth court models on topics such as the American justice system, balanced and restorative justice, conducting a hearing and deliberating on a disposition.

• Youth Volunteer Handbooks for adult judge, youth judge, youth tribunal, and peer jury program models.

• Changing Lives: America’s Youth Court, a short video introducing the concept of youth courts.

• CD to tailor materials to local needs.

The Youth Volunteer Training Package materials may be purchased as a packaged set or individual items can be ordered. Specify Product Code Number (PC#) when ordering. Discounted rates available for bulk orders on volunteer handbooks.

To order, contact:

American Bar Association Service Center
1-800-285-2221

Or, click here to download a brochure/order form

Youth Court: A Community Solution for Embracing At-Risk Youth – A National Update
By Sarah S. Pearson and Sonia Jurich
(Published in 2005; 32 pages)

Youth court is rapidly expanding alternative to the juvenile justice system for young people who have committed non-violent offenses, growing from 78 programs in 1994 to 1,050 in August 2005. The goal of this report, developed by the American Youth Policy Forum, is to provide policymakers and the public with an overview of youth court programs including their characteristics and benefits. A great resource for national data regarding youth served, who benefits from youth courts existence, recidivism, average operating costs, etc.

To order a copy of this publication, click here.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Youth Court: A National Movement
Technical Assistance Bulletin #17

To download a copy of this publication, click here. 

Youth Court: A National Youth Justice Movement A Forum - January 28, 2000

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Youth Court: A Path to Civic Engagement
September 2003

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Youth Courts: Civic Engagement and Character Education Through Juvenile Accountability
A Forum - December 2001

To download a copy of this publication, click here.

Youth Courts: Young People Delivering Justice

More frequently across the United States, young people are delivering justice to their peers who have engaged in their first delinquent act or other problem behavior.  At the same time, these young people are learning important citizenship knowledge and skills. Youth courts, also known as teen courts and peer juries, involve volunteers from 8 to 18 years of age in sentencing their peers for crimes, traffic infractions, or school rule violations.

Instead of being ignored by the juvenile court system for a minor offense, youth court respondents1 confront and address the impact of their behavior on all victims. Instead of just paying a fine in traffic court, youth who commit traffic infractions explore the impact of their careless driving and have a chance to find out more about the harm they caused. Instead of being suspended from school for multiple truancies, youth court respondents learn what impact truancy has on themselves, their families, their schoolmates, and the community. In each case, young people get a chance to make up for the harm they caused and develop needed competencies.

This Roadmap examines the nature, structure, and benefits of youth courts and explores the roles played by a variety of government and community entities. It highlights examples of successful youth courts throughout the United States – ones based in juvenile justice settings, community settings, and school settings. It spotlights unique innovations in youth courts and discusses statewide associations that play a role in supporting and networking youth courts within a state.

To download a copy of this publication, click here.