This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

Businesses urged to support regional drop out prevention work
The New England Business Bulletin, Dartmouth, MA – April 24, 2009
New research on drop out rates in the SouthCoast was unveiled before community leaders on April 9, in a study that identifies the problem as a regional crisis and urges educators, business and civic leaders to join together in what, the report says, must be a regional solution. The report identifies several strategies for addressing high drop out rates include expanding mentoring programs, such as SMILES; expanding early childhood education; supporting increased family engagement in education; and putting a greater focus on career education.

Dropout Reduction and Jobs Program Developed by University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Student Funded for Eastside Memorial High School
The University of Texas at Austin News, Austin, TX – April 20, 2009
A job-training/dropout reduction program developed by a University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work student for the Austin Independent School District has been awarded a $250,000 grant by the Texas Education Agency. The pilot program, created by master's student Mary Duncan, prepares and supports students at Eastside Memorial High School at the Johnston Campus in their search for employment while making staying in school and graduation a priority.

Summit to focus on dropout rate
Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, TX – April 24, 2009
Every 26 seconds, a student drops out of high school in America, according to a national dropout prevention group. Locally, 282 high school students dropped out of the Corpus Christi Independent School District in 2007, and concerned residents want to solve this issue and increase public awareness. On May 6, the city of Corpus Christi and Citizens for Educational Excellence will host the Dropout Prevention Leadership Summit. The summit is funded through a $10,000 grant from America’s Promise Alliance.

Juvenile Justice

Officials highlight successes of Florida Dept. of Juvenile Justice
News-Press, Talahassee, FL – April 22, 2009
State officials took time today to address successes of the often-embattled Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. “We are a shining light on the countless success stories on the youth who are in our care,” said DJJ Secretary Frank Peterman. One of the department’s success stories is Gadsden County resident Ashley Hall, who attended Tallahassee Marine Institute and earned her GED at Dove Vocational Academy for Girls in Graceville.

Restorative justice gives victims a say in reparations
Delta County Independent, Delta County, CO – April 22, 2009
A new process called "restorative justice" will soon be employed to hold young offenders accountable for their actions. In the past, juvenile offenders have faced "punitive" sanctions like jail time, useful public service, or probation. Restorative justice re-establishes the connection between the victim and the offender. If amenable, the victim becomes part of the process by meeting with the offender in a restorative justice conference.

Foster Care

Program helps teens aging out of foster care system
MySuncoast.com, Bradenton, FL – April 20, 2009
A new program in Manatee County is helping teenagers who are aging out of the foster care system. Each year about 50 teens living in foster care reach adulthood on the Suncoast. Court officials say once an adult, the teenager is often left without a support system. "Next Step" is a program that was recently created to fill in the gap, and give the teens somewhere to turn.

Guardian scholar helps foster children transition into college
Golden Gale Xpress, San Francisco, CA – April 22, 2009
Turning 18 can be more terrifying than liberating for most kids living in foster care. Aging out of the system means entering the adult world with little direction and little leverage for success. For many, college quickly becomes an inconceivable option. But at SF State, Guardian Scholars is now one of several support programs throughout CSU campuses that helps foster youth transition into college by supplying the same educational opportunities provided to students from intact families, according to a recent report by the CSU.