Education
Private schools get state funds to target dropouts
My San Antonio News – October 27, 2008
When bipartisan lawmakers passed a bill last legislative season to address the number of Texas high school dropouts, one of the programs, a $6 million investment in a pilot plan aimed at bringing students under 25 back to school to earn diplomas, stirred controversy statewide.
Key to stemming high-school dropouts: parents
The Christian Science Monitor – October 27, 2008
If America is going to stem the dropout crisis, low-performing schools will have to do a better job of reaching out to parents. That's the conclusion of a new report that found that, among parents with students in low-performing high schools, fewer than half said the schools did a fairly good job communicating about their child's academic progress.
A project to help high school dropouts opens in its new space
The Berkshire Eagle – October 25, 2008
Yesterday more than 30 representatives from the education, business, human service and other, community-based sectors gathered to herald the official opening of the Reconnect Center for teens and young adults. The Reconnect Center, part of the state Pathway-21 Network to advocate for at-risk youths, has three main objectives: to encourage youths not to drop out of school; to assist youths and young adults (ages 16 to 24) who have dropped out of school; and to help youths and young adults find a career pathway.
Juvenile Justice
Children need foundation of care to grow
CommercialAppeal.com – October 23, 2008
If society is to prosper, all children must have the opportunity to grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. The optimum development of our children is the foundation for community and economic development, as capable children become the foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society. Studies show the deeper youths go into the juvenile justice system, the harder it is to escape its tentacles.
Important national center for girls opens in Jacksonville
The Florida Times-Union – October 17, 2008
This week in Jacksonville, we celebrated a major step toward creating a better future for girls and young women in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. On Thursday, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency launched the Center for Girls and Young Women, a landmark venture to improve outcomes for girls - not just in Jacksonville or Florida, but nationwide.
Foster Care
Foster youths express fears, hopes for better lives
Ventura County Star – October 26, 2008
Voices rarely heard in discussions about the county's foster care system came from a uniquely qualified source Saturday: the youths who live in it. More than 30 of them gathered for a conference at Oxnard College to talk about ways to make life better for the hundreds of abused and neglected children removed from their parents' care.
Foster Youth and Adoptees Can Graduate College Debt-Free with NC Reach, a Statewide Scholarship Program
The Wall Street Journal – October 23, 2008
A successful new education initiative in North Carolina is enabling young adults emerging from foster care to graduate from college and enter the workforce without taking on years of student loan payments. NC Reach, launched earlier this year by the North Carolina Division of Social Services (DSS) and the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA), is a state-funded scholarship program that enables eligible foster youth and adoptees to graduate from college debt-free, and provides comprehensive support services while they are in school.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Program helps stop kids from dropping out
Moorseville Tribune – October 20, 2008
Santario White decided to drop out of South Iredell High because he didn't want to repeat his junior year. White, 18, had missed 161 days and was already considered a dropout before he made up his mind. Then he heard about an alternative program that would allow him to continue high school in a different setting.
Mentors ease transition for freshmen
Arizona Daily Star – October 20, 2008
Lourdes Osuna, 15, wishes she had had someone to help her out with the transition from middle school to high school. And that she had had someone to introduce her to new friends. Fortunately, the 10th-grade student at Sunnyside High School not only survived the challenge successfully, she is now a mentor for ninth-graders, or freshmen, at Sunnyside. The purpose of the program is to address poor high-school graduation rates at a time when many students find varying reasons to drop out school.
DepEd sets early school registration
Inquirer.net – October 19, 2008
The Department of Education is asking parents of graduating elementary school students to register in the public or private high schools of their choice as early as January 2009. The early registration, scheduled every Saturday in January, is aimed at tracking the placement of incoming high school students and preparing intervention programs for those who could not be accommodated in the schools of their choice or those who may have to drop out due to financial and other reasons.
Juvenile Justice
Human services director's goal: Eliminate minority imbalance
DesMoines Register – October 19, 2008
Iowa Department of Human Services Director Gene Gessow says the state can eliminate the imbalance of racial minorities in Iowa's child welfare and juvenile justice systems within the next 10 years. Gessow is in his third week as the head of human services, Iowa's largest state agency. Shortly after Gov. Chet Culver appointed him to the job, Gessow shared with his staff a written description of his vision for the department. Among the goals he listed: "There is no racial or ethnic group, including Native Americans, which is disproportionately represented in the Iowa child-welfare or juvenile-justice system."
Panel wants to fix La. juvenile justice
The Advocate – October 18, 2008
After a lengthy panel discussion on juveniles and criminal justice issues in Louisiana on Friday morning, a retired state judge offered a concise proposal for stopping “skyrocketing” crime in Louisiana. “Send the drunks and the drug addicts to the (social workers) and health-care systems for treatment and let the criminal justice system focus on the criminals — the real bad dudes,” said Judge Calvin Johnson, who retired Jan. 2 as the first black chief judge of New Orleans Criminal District Court.
‘Missouri Model’ for juveniles praised nationally
The St. Louis American – October 15, 2008
Anyone who has set foot inside a juvenile detention facility in America has seen it first-hand n a sea of black and brown faces dressed in orange or blue jumpsuits with only a scattering of white faces in between. Although Congress sought to address the disparity 20 years ago, as part of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, young people of color still suffer disproportionate arrest rates and harsher prison sentences than whites, according to a new report out of the nation’s capital.
Foster Care
County, Davis help probationary youth get housing, food
Daily Democrat – October 17, 2008
The Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services, in partnership with the City of Davis and Davis Community Meals, is helping six former foster and probationary youth transition to adulthood via the Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP+). This two-year program, which began in August 2008, provides housing, utilities, a stipend for food and a savings account to help participants become self-sufficient and productive young adults in our community.
Help for the young and formerly homeless
The Philadelphia Inquirer – October 20, 2008
For many homeless teenagers and those in foster care, the approach of their 18th birthday is cause for fear and confusion, not celebration. Now legally adults, they have "aged out" of the system and temporary youth shelters. Camden DREAMS - a program of the nonprofit Center for Family Services Inc., with offices throughout New Jersey - provides long-term, affordable housing to a fortunate handful of young adults who have crossed that threshold.
Program helps stop kids from dropping out
Moorseville Tribune – October 20, 2008
Santario White decided to drop out of South Iredell High because he didn't want to repeat his junior year. White, 18, had missed 161 days and was already considered a dropout before he made up his mind. Then he heard about an alternative program that would allow him to continue high school in a different setting.
Mentors ease transition for freshmen
Arizona Daily Star – October 20, 2008
Lourdes Osuna, 15, wishes she had had someone to help her out with the transition from middle school to high school. And that she had had someone to introduce her to new friends. Fortunately, the 10th-grade student at Sunnyside High School not only survived the challenge successfully, she is now a mentor for ninth-graders, or freshmen, at Sunnyside. The purpose of the program is to address poor high-school graduation rates at a time when many students find varying reasons to drop out school.
DepEd sets early school registration
Inquirer.net – October 19, 2008
The Department of Education is asking parents of graduating elementary school students to register in the public or private high schools of their choice as early as January 2009. The early registration, scheduled every Saturday in January, is aimed at tracking the placement of incoming high school students and preparing intervention programs for those who could not be accommodated in the schools of their choice or those who may have to drop out due to financial and other reasons.
Juvenile Justice
Human services director's goal: Eliminate minority imbalance
DesMoines Register – October 19, 2008
Iowa Department of Human Services Director Gene Gessow says the state can eliminate the imbalance of racial minorities in Iowa's child welfare and juvenile justice systems within the next 10 years. Gessow is in his third week as the head of human services, Iowa's largest state agency. Shortly after Gov. Chet Culver appointed him to the job, Gessow shared with his staff a written description of his vision for the department. Among the goals he listed: "There is no racial or ethnic group, including Native Americans, which is disproportionately represented in the Iowa child-welfare or juvenile-justice system."
Panel wants to fix La. juvenile justice
The Advocate – October 18, 2008
After a lengthy panel discussion on juveniles and criminal justice issues in Louisiana on Friday morning, a retired state judge offered a concise proposal for stopping “skyrocketing” crime in Louisiana. “Send the drunks and the drug addicts to the (social workers) and health-care systems for treatment and let the criminal justice system focus on the criminals — the real bad dudes,” said Judge Calvin Johnson, who retired Jan. 2 as the first black chief judge of New Orleans Criminal District Court.
‘Missouri Model’ for juveniles praised nationally
The St. Louis American – October 15, 2008
Anyone who has set foot inside a juvenile detention facility in America has seen it first-hand n a sea of black and brown faces dressed in orange or blue jumpsuits with only a scattering of white faces in between. Although Congress sought to address the disparity 20 years ago, as part of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, young people of color still suffer disproportionate arrest rates and harsher prison sentences than whites, according to a new report out of the nation’s capital.
Foster Care
County, Davis help probationary youth get housing, food
Daily Democrat – October 17, 2008
The Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services, in partnership with the City of Davis and Davis Community Meals, is helping six former foster and probationary youth transition to adulthood via the Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP+). This two-year program, which began in August 2008, provides housing, utilities, a stipend for food and a savings account to help participants become self-sufficient and productive young adults in our community.
Help for the young and formerly homeless
The Philadelphia Inquirer – October 20, 2008
For many homeless teenagers and those in foster care, the approach of their 18th birthday is cause for fear and confusion, not celebration. Now legally adults, they have "aged out" of the system and temporary youth shelters. Camden DREAMS - a program of the nonprofit Center for Family Services Inc., with offices throughout New Jersey - provides long-term, affordable housing to a fortunate handful of young adults who have crossed that threshold.
Monday, October 13, 2008
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Governor attends high school dropout prevention summit in Pittsford
MPNNow.com – October 10, 2008
Nearly 84,000 students dropped out of New York state high schools during the 2007-08 school year. It’s a number that bothers Gov. David Paterson. “This is the prelude to a disaster” Paterson said as he spoke to 500 students, educators and local officials Friday morning at Nazareth College. Devan Caldwell is someone who understands the consequences of dropping out of high school. When he was 17 and a student at Rochester’s Jefferson High School, he became very sick with a throat infection. He missed three weeks of school and later dropped out.
Grant helps dropouts get going again
Spartanburg Herald-Journal – October 10, 2008
Spartanburg Community College on Thursday announced the receipt of a $300,000 start-up grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to implement a national program that helps high school dropouts complete their high school diploma requirements while they also earn college credit toward an associate's degree or certificate.
Juvenile Justice
Funding announced for juvenile delinquency prevention in Native American communities
Mission Valley News – October 10, 2008
Nevada Senator Harry Reid has announced that the Walker River Paiute Tribe and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California will each receive $400,000 to support their tribal juvenile delinquency prevention efforts. The award, from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is designed to help the tribes implement juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention programs that address the specific risks facing their communities.
Juvenile justice act credited with reduction in youth crime
Metro News – October 10, 2008
The Youth Criminal Justice Act in place since 2003, has been mostly successful according to a recent study. The Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family (CRILF) conducted a study of data between 2001 and 2006, and noted a drop in the number of young offenders behind bars.
Foster Care
Foster care alumni works to turn a negative into positive
Beaumont Enterprise – October 12, 2008
Ryan Dollinger remembers what is what like to not know where he was going to live next. But something took hold of Dollinger that is rare in the foster-care system. First, he decided to finish high school. Only about half of foster kids do that, he said. And second, he decided to speak out. "Kids are scared to tell social workers what's really going on," he said, adding that they fear retaliation. For Dollinger, the motivation to speak did not come until after he aged out of the system.
Treasure Coast youth inspired by "Homeless to Harvard''
TC Palm – October 10, 2008
Christina Bury, 22, could relate as she listened to Liz Murray speak about her journey from homelessness to Harvard University. Bury, of Fort Pierce, has been in jail and has experienced dire poverty. “I’ve been homeless. I slept in my car,” said Bury, who, like many former foster youth, struggled after she “aged out” of foster care at 18.
Ex-foster kids getting help to vote
Freep.com – October 9, 2008
Mona Perdue spent years in the Michigan foster care system. Neila Johnson has spent years as a political activist. After years of watching the state struggle to do right by youths who age out of foster care unprepared for life, the duo is getting former foster youths more involved in elections. The pair partnered to create Foster the Vote, an effort to organize former foster youths to advocate for themselves and to vote.
Governor attends high school dropout prevention summit in Pittsford
MPNNow.com – October 10, 2008
Nearly 84,000 students dropped out of New York state high schools during the 2007-08 school year. It’s a number that bothers Gov. David Paterson. “This is the prelude to a disaster” Paterson said as he spoke to 500 students, educators and local officials Friday morning at Nazareth College. Devan Caldwell is someone who understands the consequences of dropping out of high school. When he was 17 and a student at Rochester’s Jefferson High School, he became very sick with a throat infection. He missed three weeks of school and later dropped out.
Grant helps dropouts get going again
Spartanburg Herald-Journal – October 10, 2008
Spartanburg Community College on Thursday announced the receipt of a $300,000 start-up grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to implement a national program that helps high school dropouts complete their high school diploma requirements while they also earn college credit toward an associate's degree or certificate.
Juvenile Justice
Funding announced for juvenile delinquency prevention in Native American communities
Mission Valley News – October 10, 2008
Nevada Senator Harry Reid has announced that the Walker River Paiute Tribe and the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California will each receive $400,000 to support their tribal juvenile delinquency prevention efforts. The award, from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is designed to help the tribes implement juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention programs that address the specific risks facing their communities.
Juvenile justice act credited with reduction in youth crime
Metro News – October 10, 2008
The Youth Criminal Justice Act in place since 2003, has been mostly successful according to a recent study. The Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family (CRILF) conducted a study of data between 2001 and 2006, and noted a drop in the number of young offenders behind bars.
Foster Care
Foster care alumni works to turn a negative into positive
Beaumont Enterprise – October 12, 2008
Ryan Dollinger remembers what is what like to not know where he was going to live next. But something took hold of Dollinger that is rare in the foster-care system. First, he decided to finish high school. Only about half of foster kids do that, he said. And second, he decided to speak out. "Kids are scared to tell social workers what's really going on," he said, adding that they fear retaliation. For Dollinger, the motivation to speak did not come until after he aged out of the system.
Treasure Coast youth inspired by "Homeless to Harvard''
TC Palm – October 10, 2008
Christina Bury, 22, could relate as she listened to Liz Murray speak about her journey from homelessness to Harvard University. Bury, of Fort Pierce, has been in jail and has experienced dire poverty. “I’ve been homeless. I slept in my car,” said Bury, who, like many former foster youth, struggled after she “aged out” of foster care at 18.
Ex-foster kids getting help to vote
Freep.com – October 9, 2008
Mona Perdue spent years in the Michigan foster care system. Neila Johnson has spent years as a political activist. After years of watching the state struggle to do right by youths who age out of foster care unprepared for life, the duo is getting former foster youths more involved in elections. The pair partnered to create Foster the Vote, an effort to organize former foster youths to advocate for themselves and to vote.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
AT&T Awards $700,000 in Grants to Help Address High School Dropout Crisis in Sacramento Area
The Wall Street Journal – October 7, 2008
AT&T is awarding more than $700,000 in AT&T Foundation grants to six Sacramento-area educational institutions to support high school retention programs for at-risk students. The grants are part of the company's signature initiative, AT&T Aspire, which was announced earlier this year to help address high school success and workforce readiness. AT&T has committed $100 million in philanthropy through 2011 to schools and nonprofit organizations that are focused on high school retention and better preparing students for college and the workforce.
New Dropout program slated
The Pueblo Chieftain – October 5, 2008
Pueblo Community College is teaming up with Pueblo City Schools to develop a program that will allow for high school dropouts to earn a diploma and gain college credit at the same time. Beginning next fall, PCC and the school district will implement the Gateway to College program which will provide students 16 to 21 who have dropped out of school the opportunity to return to classes.
Ceres High students learn a trade and collect college credits
The Modesto Bee – October 6, 2008
In groups of five and six, Ceres High School students recently huddled around work benches in leather jackets, long gloves and welding masks. Sparks flew, as students exclaimed "Cooooool" and "Whoa." The students were learning to start an arc -- the flame used to melt the metals while welding.
Juvenile Justice
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Announces More Than $293 Million in Grants
PR-Canada.net – October 5, 2008
Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey today announced more than $293 million in grant awards to help at-risk youth and improve juvenile justice systems nationwide. These grants, administered by OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), support community efforts to prevent crime and protect public safety through focusing on the well-being of our nation's young people.
Minneapolis' 'blueprint' to attack youth violence is a success
Star Tribune – October 3, 2008
Gathering outside the city's new juvenile supervision center Friday, Mayor R.T. Rybak and a dozen community leaders presented a progress report on the comprehensive plan. Some of the successes they discussed were simpler to achieve, such as recruiting 25 city employees to serve as mentors for area youth, or expanding summer hours and programming at parks where crime is a problem.
Youth Shelters Save Millions in Tax Dollar Money
WCTV – October 3, 2008
Capital City Youth Services is not only helping to keep kids on the right path, but saving tax payers millions of dollars each year. The most recent Florida TaxWatch study shows that it costs approximately $7,300 for one youth to enter the Juvenile Justice System for 6 months and roughly only $1,600 if they entered a preventative agency.
Foster Care
Battling for children’s rights by teamwork
Financial News & Daily Record – September 30, 2008
For child advocates looking to make a difference in the lives of foster and at-risk children, a little teamwork can go a long way toward furthering the cause. Since 2001, one organization with local ties has provided that place for teamwork. Florida’s Children First, an independent statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit child advocacy group for foster and at-risk children was created by attorneys from across Florida. It acts as a “watchdog” over child welfare organizations that are in place to serve children.
AT&T Awards $700,000 in Grants to Help Address High School Dropout Crisis in Sacramento Area
The Wall Street Journal – October 7, 2008
AT&T is awarding more than $700,000 in AT&T Foundation grants to six Sacramento-area educational institutions to support high school retention programs for at-risk students. The grants are part of the company's signature initiative, AT&T Aspire, which was announced earlier this year to help address high school success and workforce readiness. AT&T has committed $100 million in philanthropy through 2011 to schools and nonprofit organizations that are focused on high school retention and better preparing students for college and the workforce.
New Dropout program slated
The Pueblo Chieftain – October 5, 2008
Pueblo Community College is teaming up with Pueblo City Schools to develop a program that will allow for high school dropouts to earn a diploma and gain college credit at the same time. Beginning next fall, PCC and the school district will implement the Gateway to College program which will provide students 16 to 21 who have dropped out of school the opportunity to return to classes.
Ceres High students learn a trade and collect college credits
The Modesto Bee – October 6, 2008
In groups of five and six, Ceres High School students recently huddled around work benches in leather jackets, long gloves and welding masks. Sparks flew, as students exclaimed "Cooooool" and "Whoa." The students were learning to start an arc -- the flame used to melt the metals while welding.
Juvenile Justice
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Announces More Than $293 Million in Grants
PR-Canada.net – October 5, 2008
Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey today announced more than $293 million in grant awards to help at-risk youth and improve juvenile justice systems nationwide. These grants, administered by OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), support community efforts to prevent crime and protect public safety through focusing on the well-being of our nation's young people.
Minneapolis' 'blueprint' to attack youth violence is a success
Star Tribune – October 3, 2008
Gathering outside the city's new juvenile supervision center Friday, Mayor R.T. Rybak and a dozen community leaders presented a progress report on the comprehensive plan. Some of the successes they discussed were simpler to achieve, such as recruiting 25 city employees to serve as mentors for area youth, or expanding summer hours and programming at parks where crime is a problem.
Youth Shelters Save Millions in Tax Dollar Money
WCTV – October 3, 2008
Capital City Youth Services is not only helping to keep kids on the right path, but saving tax payers millions of dollars each year. The most recent Florida TaxWatch study shows that it costs approximately $7,300 for one youth to enter the Juvenile Justice System for 6 months and roughly only $1,600 if they entered a preventative agency.
Foster Care
Battling for children’s rights by teamwork
Financial News & Daily Record – September 30, 2008
For child advocates looking to make a difference in the lives of foster and at-risk children, a little teamwork can go a long way toward furthering the cause. Since 2001, one organization with local ties has provided that place for teamwork. Florida’s Children First, an independent statewide 501(c)3 nonprofit child advocacy group for foster and at-risk children was created by attorneys from across Florida. It acts as a “watchdog” over child welfare organizations that are in place to serve children.
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