This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

Online hope for high school dropouts
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Makati City, Philippines – May 17, 2009
In an alternative learning setup that seeks to maximize new information and communication technologies (ICTs), students no longer need to bring lots of pens and papers when taking quizzes. In fact, they do not even have to go to class five times a week to finish high school. Participants of eSkwela just sit in front of a computer for about three hours a week. They learn according to their need and speed.

Missouri to get dropout prevention programs
Kansas City Star, Jefferson City, MO – May 14, 2009
Missouri students would have to stay in school longer or complete a minimum number of credits before they can drop out under legislation sent to Gov. Jay Nixon. Missouri's current law lets students quit school when they turn 16. A bill given final approval by the House and Senate on Thursday would let students drop out when they turn 17 or complete at least 16 credits.

Meaningful reform begins with lowering dropout rates
The Arizona Republic, Pheonix, AZ – May 18, 2009
While the nearly $1 billion Arizona received under the first round of federal stimulus funding for education has immediate benefits in terms of job retention, the depth of its impact should be measured by student outcomes. As decisions are made about how these funds are spent, there can be no argument about the urgent need to fund programs that support those students most likely to drop out of high school - students of color and Native American students.

Juvenile Justice

Help for juveniles in Tippecanoe County
18 WLFI, Lafayette, IN – May 15, 2009
A Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center could be created in Tippecanoe County. After plans for the Juvenile Justice Center were put on hold, County leaders hope to move forward with some parts of what was originally proposed. Sheriff Tracy Brown says right now Juveniles who are arrested can be held up to 6 hours in a holding room at the jail. Brown said with an intake and assessment center, youth would receive immediate attention. "You have intervention immediately into a situation, you have parents involved, you have the youthful offender involved, you have probation all at one location," said Brown.

Cambiar brings needed change
CNJOnline.com, Las Cruces, NM – May 13, 2009
There is a quiet revolution in juvenile justice in New Mexico occurring in the southern part of our state. With assistance from former officials of Missouri’s nationally recognized juvenile correctional system, the J. Paul Taylor Center outside of Las Cruces is being transformed. The changes in this facility are the first in a statewide movement to create safe, effective juvenile correctional programs in which young people committed to state custody have every opportunity to become contributing, healthy, law-abiding citizens.

Foster Care

Jacksonville facility will be home, resource to foster kids
The Florida Times-Union, Jacksonville, FL – May 18, 2009
Construction is under way for a second facility in Jacksonville to help teenagers aging out of foster care develop independent living skills. The $1.4 million facility at the Children's Home Society on San Diego Road on the Southside will combine a group home for teen mothers in foster care with apartments for girls after they have aged out of foster care at 18.

State issues final foster care plan
ABC7, San Francisco, CA – May 13, 2009
The California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care, created in 2006, previously presented its 79 recommendations to the state Judicial Council in San Francisco in August. California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, who chaired the commission, said, "The urgent need for action on these recommendations cannot be overstated." Moreno said nearly half of California's children in foster care have been in care for more than two years and 17 percent more than three years. He said, "Too often these children find themselves in a foster-care limbo, shifted from placement to placement, and separated from siblings, friends, and schools. We simply must act now to fulfill our promise to them -- the promise of a brighter future."