Monday, August 29, 2011

This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

Family, income, student interest impact high school dropout rate
The Herald Bulletin, Indianapolis, IN – August 25, 2011
Indiana’s high school dropout rates are smaller than they were five years ago, but according to one measure, one in five of the state’s public schools are still struggling to graduate 70 percent of their students on time.

Joliet Job Corps graduates lauded for their success
The Herald-News, Joliet, IL – August 26, 2011
When Jeff Pierson graduated from Joliet West High School in 1982, the national unemployment rate was 9.7 percent.   Now the president of the Joliet Township High School Board, Pierson was the guest speaker at summer commencement ceremonies for Joliet Job Corps, where he told students the unemployment rate is now 9.2 percent.

Polis renews fight to lower school dropout rate
The Colorado Independent, Colorado – August 26, 2011
The number-one factor fueling high school dropouts across the country is pregnancy and parenthood, a problem Colorado Congressman Jared Polis hopes to address by reintroducing his Pregnant and Parenting Students Access to Education Act.

Juvenile Justice

County program helping troubled youths stay out of detention centers
Southwest Review News, Dakota County, MN – August 21, 2011
As a result of the problems facing the juvenile detention facility, Dakota County Community Corrections, the county attorney's office, the county board and others got together and brainstormed about what could be done to help at-risk youths in the community without overpopulating the detention facility.

Legislature Ponders Juvenile Justice Reforms
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL – August 24, 2011
Florida lawmakers will continue in the coming year to look for ways to save money in juvenile justice and prevent incarcerated kids from committing crimes again.  A procession of juvenile justice experts spoke before a panel of lawmakers and other stakeholders Wednesday to pitch ways to better educate and train incarcerated youth so that they are not tempted to become lifelong criminals.

Youth court gives young offenders second chance
North County Times, Escondido, CA – August 22, 2011
None of the young offenders gathered Tuesday evening in Escondido City Council Chambers looked happy as they answered for their crimes before their parents and a court of their peers ---- but juvenile hall would have been a lot worse.

Foster Care

Burbank program opens its doors to emancipated youth
Southern California Public Radio, Burbank, CA – August 26, 2011
A new program set up to assist 18 to 24 year-old emancipated and homeless youths with transitional housing opened its doors Thursday. The opening of Linden House comes on the heels of the passage of AB12, a bill that extends the age limit for foster care youth from 18 to 21.

A Bag Full of Hope
Morning Star, Traverse City, MI – August 22, 2011
For many foster children “aging out,” the world becomes an even more uncertain place, often with little or no resources or support systems.  Child and Family Services is working to combat those obstacles with special programming to teach foster children life skills. The “Elements” program teaches independent living skills to youth ages 14-18 who are preparing to transition out of foster care.

Teen Pregnancy

Erie's teen birthrate drops to 20-year low
Erie Times-News, Erie, PA – August 23, 2011
Erie teenagers are giving birth at the lowest rate in more than 20 years, turning around one of the city's most pressing public-health concerns.

Teen works to empower other girls in need
San Antonio Express-News – August 22, 2011
You can't always see how you can change someone's life with a small but meaningful exchange of the heart. But if you can change how they look at themselves - their world and their possibilities - change has been set in motion.  In May, Joi Stevens, a 16-year-old junior-to-be at Saint Mary's Hall, interviewed two girls from Seton Home, which provides residence and support services for homeless pregnant teens and teen moms and their children. Stevens did the interview for The Girls Inc. MVP's Town Hall on teenage pregnancy and prevention.  Girls Inc. is a nonprofit organization that encourages girls to be empowered and proactive and bold in fulfilling their potential and being advocates for themselves and others.

No comments: