Monday, July 30, 2012

This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

A new Camden County program will give high school dropouts a second chance
Philly.com, Camden County, PA – July 25, 2012
The eight months that Aniyah Drummond, 18, spent as a high school dropout were, she said, "the lowest part of my life."  But then she heard about a program that was starting at Camden County College last fall - Gateway to College, a second-chance scholarship program aimed at giving Camden dropouts the opportunity to earn their high school diplomas and college credit at the same time.

Nevada school program reaches out to struggling students, gives them hope
The Republic, Nevada – July 25, 2012
The now 17-year-old was on her way to becoming part of a Nevada statistic that puts the Silver State at the bottom of U.S. high school graduation rates.  "I would not have finished school," said Villariza, who didn't study, skipped classes and spent too many evenings partying. There were many nights she just didn't go home.

Superintendent turns school district from 'dropout factory' to state recognized
KGBT 4, Texas – July 27, 2012
The Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District used to known as the "dropout factory" among school districts across the state.  Once at 500 students a year, now only about 50 to 60 never return to the classroom, according to Superintendent Dr. Daniel King.

Juvenile Justice

Project to help juveniles make successful transition
CarmiTimes.com, Springfield, IL – July 28, 2012
The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission on Tuesday announced the start of a demonstration project to reduce the recidivism and improve the outcomes of juvenile offenders.  The project will provide intensive reintegration services to help youth transition back into their home communities.

Summer work program brings change; teens congratulated for personal growth
Jackson Sun, Tennessee – July 26, 2012
Just months after Darnisha Williams faced charges in the juvenile justice system, a local juvenile court judge congratulated her Thursday evening for working hard to better herself.

Foster Care

New Delaware Law Helps Foster Children
WBOC 16, Dover DE – July 26, 2012
Identity theft has become an issue for children in the foster care system. But Delaware legislators are hoping a new law will curb the problem. Gov. Jack Markell signed House Bill 269 on Wednesday afternoon. The law mandates the state to run credit reports for foster children when they turn 16.

New apartments will provide homes for youths too old for foster care
The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO – July 24, 2012
Graduates of a program for homeless youth joined with representatives of Freeman Health System, Ozark Center and other local officials Tuesday morning to break ground on a new apartment complex.

Former foster youth works on Hill to change child welfare system
CNN, Washington, DC – July 29, 2012
These days, Marchelle Roberts is a confident 22-year-old who smiles easily and talks excitedly about her plans for the future.  But the rising senior at Philadelphia's Temple University had to travel a long and difficult road to get to where she is today.

Teen Pregnancy

Survey finds big drop in sexual activity among black teens
WZVN ABC7 – July 24, 2012
Black teenagers in the United States have become much less sexually active over the past two decades, and those who do have sex appear to be more likely to use condoms, a new survey has found.  The declines are "dramatic," said report author Laura Kann, who studies adolescent health for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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