Education
Decreasing state's high school dropout rate is summit's goal
Lexington Herald-Leader, Frankfort, KY – August 20, 2009
Almost 6,500 students dropped out of Kentucky schools in 2008 — enough to make up a good-size small town — and faced an uncertain employment future without a high school diploma. Kentucky first lady Jane Beshear said Wednesday that the state can't afford to keep sending so many young people handicapped by an incomplete education into an increasingly competitive job market. "Together, as a community, we must find ways to keep all of our students engaged and in school," she said in a statement. Accordingly, Beshear will host a summit in Frankfort on Sept. 11-12 called Graduate Kentucky: A Community Approach. It's aimed at developing a statewide action plan to raise Kentucky graduation rates and help prepare more young people for success in life.
Fort Jackson program helps recruits earn GED
The Herald, Columbia, SC – August 23, 2009
At 19, Brian May was making $60,000 a year at a wood mill near his home in Mount Vernon, Wash., but then the economy tanked. So May, who was married and the father of a small boy, joined the Army. There was a problem: May didn't have a high school diploma or GED certificate. At one time, people such as Pvt. May would have been out of luck. But May landed in a program at Fort Jackson aimed at helping recruits earn a GED, which stands for General Educational Development.
Autauga, Elmore schools look for ways to lower dropout numbers
Prattville Progress, Autauga, AL – August 24, 2009
As the new school year begins, improving the tri-county area's high school dropout rates is on the minds of educators who recently learned that their high schools failed to meet federal education standards for the 2008-2009 school year because of graduation rates. High school dropout rates in Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore counties' public school systems as well as others throughout the state can hinder Alabama's education goals and affect the state's economic health, experts contend.
Juvenile Justice
Future plans ready by end of year
The Advocate, Louisiana – August 24, 2009
Louisiana juvenile justice officials say future plans for the transition from correctional care to therapeutic treatment will be ready at the end of the year. Members of a commission charged with improving the juvenile justice system and advocacy groups say little progress has been made in the six years that the state has been working on the system.
Juvenile Justice Agency Starts Free Lawn-Service Program
The Washington Post, Washington, DC – August 20, 2009
Elderly residents of Ward 5 in the District will get their lawns cut once a month free through a program created by the city's juvenile justice agency to give youths under court supervision a chance to give back to the community. The D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services kicked off this year's program last week at the Northeast home of Eddye L. Williams, 109, thought to be the city's oldest resident.
Summit offers hope for teen minorities
Post-Tribune, Indiana – August 20, 2009
The Indiana State Bar Association is hosting "Summit on Racial Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System" on Aug. 27. While summits come and go and often have little impact, this one could be special. Organizers and participants know there are too many minorities in the juvenile justice system. They want to find out why and reduce those numbers in the future. The areas of focus are child welfare, juvenile justice, education and mental health systems.
Foster Care
Foster good outcomes
Orlando Sentinel, Central Florida – August 24, 2009
With retired Gen. Colin Powell at his side, then-Gov. Jeb Bush launched the Governor's Mentoring Initiative, an ambitious campaign to enlist 200,000 Floridians into the mentoring ranks. Plans are in the works for pilot mentoring programs at two Central Florida foster group homes this fall. The pilot, in particular, aims to help the hundreds of teenagers who will soon "age out" of foster care so they can negotiate the treacherous transition to adulthood. Such a focused effort from the lauded mentoring initiative is not only critical, but also long overdue.
Programs give direction to foster kids
Amarillo Globe-News, Amarillo, TX - August 19, 2009
Twin extra long. They're three words most every mother who's sent a child off to college knows. The nonstandard sheet size is the standard in college dormitories across America. Buy a sheet too short, and the mattress bows up or the sheet corners rip. It's twin extra long for a good night's sleep. But not every child has a mother obsessively shopping for twin-extra-long sheets to outfit a dorm room bed. Too often it's left to others to provide the care, the nurturing and the love to raise a child. An aunt, a grandmother, a foster parent may be charged with a mother's usual duties, but sometimes the need is greater. Proper care requires a home. Presbyterian Home for Children shelters 35 to 40 youths and another 10 older teens about to age out of foster care and face the world as adults.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Preventing high school dropouts can start in 4th grade
Missourian, New York, NY – August 12, 2009
Not everyone earns their diploma. One out of every four students fails to graduate from high school in four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But here's a shocker from Lynne Strathman, director of Lydia Urban Academy in Rockford, Ill., a small faith-based alternative program for dropouts. Strathman says the one thing that she consistently finds is that "the last time these students felt successful was the fourth grade."
‘Middle school’ is much more than a name
South Washington County Bulletin, Cottage Grove, MN – August 17, 2009
When School District 833’s junior high schools become middle schools this fall, much more than the schools’ grade configurations will change. Students in grades six through eight will be part of a middle school system, which emphasizes relationships among students and staff. Teams of teachers will work with the same group of students, and they’ll meet daily to discuss students to learn what is working, and what areas a student may need help in.
Schools launch pilot program to meet needs of at-risk students
SCNow.com, Columbia, SC – August 17, 2009
Twelve elementary schools and middle schools in South Carolina are taking part in a pilot program to meet the needs of at-risk students in lower grades. According to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Education, the two-year effort - Early Connections - strengthens the collaboration of dropout prevention activities between high schools and their feeder elementary and middle schools. It will provide technical assistance and training, especially in analyzing school data and developing intervention strategies to reduce the number of potential at-risk students who may fail to graduate.
Juvenile Justice
Iowa senators announce juvenile justice grant
Chicago Tribune, Washington, DC – August 13, 2009
Iowa's two U.S. senators have announced the awarding by the Justice Department of a $600,000 grant to the Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Agency in Des Moines. According to Sen. Chuck Grassley, the funds will help the agency "develop programs and policies that work to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system and stop problems before they arise."
EMU program helps teen parents with school, life
Chicago Tribune, Ypsilanti, MI – August 15, 2009
Having a baby doesn't have to mark a teenage girl for a life of failure, putting her on the path of welfare dependency and under-education, say two Eastern Michigan University professors who run a program to give young mothers a better shot at success. The Ypsilanti school is using a $539,000 grant from the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to operate the program.
Foster Care
Iowa foster program receives national award
Examiner, Des Moines, IA – August 15, 2009
The statistics can be grim for teenagers in the foster care system here in Iowa and across the nation. According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, less than half of those who "age out" will graduate from high school within four years of release from care. Consequently fewer than 20% will be able to support themselves financially. Fortunately, Children & Families of Iowa has a program named Elevate that is designed for and run by youth in foster care.
New program helps foster youth find housing
Contra Costa Times, San Bernardino County, CA – August 14, 2009
Every year, thousands of foster youth age out of the system in San Bernardino County and end up living on the street, going to prison or worse. To ensure these vulnerable young people don't fall through the cracks, ASPIRAnet, a nonprofit family services agency, now offers a program that gets them started on the road to self-sufficiency. "At least 50 percent of the youth who leave foster care at 18 leave with no stable housing. In other words they are technically homeless. " said Tonya McCampbell, program manager for the ASPIRAnet office in San Bernardino. "This grim scenario plays out all over the U.S., so we are excited to begin the program."
Foster kids make transition to adulthood through summer program at Rutgers
MyCentralJersey.com, New Jersey – August 13, 2009
Tina Colagero knew it was time to grow up. "I started to figure out things for myself, for my life, like where I could go, what I was going to do next if this didn't work out and what was my plan going to be." She was 10 years old. This summer Colagero, 19, was one of 10 students selected to participate in a 10-week Transitions for Youth Summer Housing and Internship Program (SHIP) managed by the Institute for Families at the Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Preventing high school dropouts can start in 4th grade
Missourian, New York, NY – August 12, 2009
Not everyone earns their diploma. One out of every four students fails to graduate from high school in four years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. But here's a shocker from Lynne Strathman, director of Lydia Urban Academy in Rockford, Ill., a small faith-based alternative program for dropouts. Strathman says the one thing that she consistently finds is that "the last time these students felt successful was the fourth grade."
‘Middle school’ is much more than a name
South Washington County Bulletin, Cottage Grove, MN – August 17, 2009
When School District 833’s junior high schools become middle schools this fall, much more than the schools’ grade configurations will change. Students in grades six through eight will be part of a middle school system, which emphasizes relationships among students and staff. Teams of teachers will work with the same group of students, and they’ll meet daily to discuss students to learn what is working, and what areas a student may need help in.
Schools launch pilot program to meet needs of at-risk students
SCNow.com, Columbia, SC – August 17, 2009
Twelve elementary schools and middle schools in South Carolina are taking part in a pilot program to meet the needs of at-risk students in lower grades. According to a news release from the South Carolina Department of Education, the two-year effort - Early Connections - strengthens the collaboration of dropout prevention activities between high schools and their feeder elementary and middle schools. It will provide technical assistance and training, especially in analyzing school data and developing intervention strategies to reduce the number of potential at-risk students who may fail to graduate.
Juvenile Justice
Iowa senators announce juvenile justice grant
Chicago Tribune, Washington, DC – August 13, 2009
Iowa's two U.S. senators have announced the awarding by the Justice Department of a $600,000 grant to the Iowa Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Agency in Des Moines. According to Sen. Chuck Grassley, the funds will help the agency "develop programs and policies that work to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system and stop problems before they arise."
EMU program helps teen parents with school, life
Chicago Tribune, Ypsilanti, MI – August 15, 2009
Having a baby doesn't have to mark a teenage girl for a life of failure, putting her on the path of welfare dependency and under-education, say two Eastern Michigan University professors who run a program to give young mothers a better shot at success. The Ypsilanti school is using a $539,000 grant from the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to operate the program.
Foster Care
Iowa foster program receives national award
Examiner, Des Moines, IA – August 15, 2009
The statistics can be grim for teenagers in the foster care system here in Iowa and across the nation. According to the Iowa Department of Human Services, less than half of those who "age out" will graduate from high school within four years of release from care. Consequently fewer than 20% will be able to support themselves financially. Fortunately, Children & Families of Iowa has a program named Elevate that is designed for and run by youth in foster care.
New program helps foster youth find housing
Contra Costa Times, San Bernardino County, CA – August 14, 2009
Every year, thousands of foster youth age out of the system in San Bernardino County and end up living on the street, going to prison or worse. To ensure these vulnerable young people don't fall through the cracks, ASPIRAnet, a nonprofit family services agency, now offers a program that gets them started on the road to self-sufficiency. "At least 50 percent of the youth who leave foster care at 18 leave with no stable housing. In other words they are technically homeless. " said Tonya McCampbell, program manager for the ASPIRAnet office in San Bernardino. "This grim scenario plays out all over the U.S., so we are excited to begin the program."
Foster kids make transition to adulthood through summer program at Rutgers
MyCentralJersey.com, New Jersey – August 13, 2009
Tina Colagero knew it was time to grow up. "I started to figure out things for myself, for my life, like where I could go, what I was going to do next if this didn't work out and what was my plan going to be." She was 10 years old. This summer Colagero, 19, was one of 10 students selected to participate in a 10-week Transitions for Youth Summer Housing and Internship Program (SHIP) managed by the Institute for Families at the Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Monday, August 10, 2009
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
Group formed to combat dropout rate
Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, AL – August 6, 2009
Representatives from 16 city, state and community agencies met Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church for the fourth Alabama State Department of Education dropout prevention meeting. At the meeting, ideas were exchanged, solutions were suggested, and a new organization was formed to combat the city’s high school dropout rate. The Community Solution Network will address the needs of students identified as at-risk, in hopes of preventing them from dropping out, said Zack Barnes, director of graduation success and dropout prevention for the Tuscaloosa City School System.
Job Front: At-risk teens create garden, grow job skills
The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA – August 10, 2009
Shamar Armstrong dug the shovel into the hard-packed earth behind Elinor Hickey School, then jumped, the full weight of his fullback-size frame stomping the shovel into the ground, carving out an irrigation line one blade-width at a time. For the past five weeks, the 16-year-old Armstrong and 32 of his classmates have been hard at work building a community garden at the Ethan Way campus. They will unveil the garden on Friday.
Juvenile Justice
National Initiative Keeping Youths Out of Jail, Report Says
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. – August 6, 2009
A national juvenile justice initiative is helping reduce the number of young offenders being jailed after arrest, according to a new report by the foundation that has backed the effort. But in the District, where the number of juveniles detained had been dropping since the Justice Detention Alternatives Initiative was put in place in 2005, there has been an increase this year, officials said.
Great improvements seen at Santa Clara County juvenile ranches
Mercury News, Santa Clara County, CA – August 7, 2009
Santa Clara County has transformed its military-style boot camps for juvenile offenders into homey ranches that are safer and more conducive to treatment, according to a new analysis from a renowned criminal justice research center. Designed for youth committing violent or repeated crimes who would otherwise head for tougher state facilities, the county ranches had long been considered failures — criticized for everything from how they warehoused kids to endemic violence and high recividism rates. However, in a report released this week, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency praises the overhaul of the two youth ranches, located in rural south San Jose and Morgan Hill.
Foster Care
TCC lends hand to foster-care children
Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee, FL – August 8, 2009
Tallahassee Community College, along with several child-advocacy agencies, has created a program that will give support to foster-care teens who have aged out of the system. Five 18- and 19-year-old students will begin the program this Wednesday. It's a multi-year commitment by both the students and the program to ensure each student graduates with an associate degree — and possibly a bachelor's degree.
First Steps center gives Oakland foster youth their own space
The Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA – August 7, 2009
Gina Velarde loves spending time at the First Steps Community Resource Center and often is there every weekday from the time it opens at 10 a.m. to closing at 6 p.m. The center is an extension of First Place for Youth, which provides housing, education and employment services to foster youths when they age out of the system at 18. The First Place administrative building in downtown Oakland was running out of space for many of its programs, and the youths needed their own space, said Sam Cobbs, executive director of First Place for Youth. They also wanted a place that was welcoming to the public and not an office building.
Overloaded charities get federal stimulus money
American-Statesman, Austin, TX – August 10, 2009
Vanesha Alexander wants to pay her own way. The 22-year-old Austin mother works at Austin Energy and lives on a tight budget. She saves her money. And she eventually wants to move out of the apartment that she rents with help from a local nonprofit group. New federal stimulus money flowing into local nonprofits may help her do just that. Four Austin agencies that serve homeless and low-income people recently received a combined
Group formed to combat dropout rate
Tuscaloosa News, Tuscaloosa, AL – August 6, 2009
Representatives from 16 city, state and community agencies met Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church for the fourth Alabama State Department of Education dropout prevention meeting. At the meeting, ideas were exchanged, solutions were suggested, and a new organization was formed to combat the city’s high school dropout rate. The Community Solution Network will address the needs of students identified as at-risk, in hopes of preventing them from dropping out, said Zack Barnes, director of graduation success and dropout prevention for the Tuscaloosa City School System.
Job Front: At-risk teens create garden, grow job skills
The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, CA – August 10, 2009
Shamar Armstrong dug the shovel into the hard-packed earth behind Elinor Hickey School, then jumped, the full weight of his fullback-size frame stomping the shovel into the ground, carving out an irrigation line one blade-width at a time. For the past five weeks, the 16-year-old Armstrong and 32 of his classmates have been hard at work building a community garden at the Ethan Way campus. They will unveil the garden on Friday.
Juvenile Justice
National Initiative Keeping Youths Out of Jail, Report Says
The Washington Post, Washington, D.C. – August 6, 2009
A national juvenile justice initiative is helping reduce the number of young offenders being jailed after arrest, according to a new report by the foundation that has backed the effort. But in the District, where the number of juveniles detained had been dropping since the Justice Detention Alternatives Initiative was put in place in 2005, there has been an increase this year, officials said.
Great improvements seen at Santa Clara County juvenile ranches
Mercury News, Santa Clara County, CA – August 7, 2009
Santa Clara County has transformed its military-style boot camps for juvenile offenders into homey ranches that are safer and more conducive to treatment, according to a new analysis from a renowned criminal justice research center. Designed for youth committing violent or repeated crimes who would otherwise head for tougher state facilities, the county ranches had long been considered failures — criticized for everything from how they warehoused kids to endemic violence and high recividism rates. However, in a report released this week, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency praises the overhaul of the two youth ranches, located in rural south San Jose and Morgan Hill.
Foster Care
TCC lends hand to foster-care children
Tallahassee Democrat, Tallahassee, FL – August 8, 2009
Tallahassee Community College, along with several child-advocacy agencies, has created a program that will give support to foster-care teens who have aged out of the system. Five 18- and 19-year-old students will begin the program this Wednesday. It's a multi-year commitment by both the students and the program to ensure each student graduates with an associate degree — and possibly a bachelor's degree.
First Steps center gives Oakland foster youth their own space
The Oakland Tribune, Oakland, CA – August 7, 2009
Gina Velarde loves spending time at the First Steps Community Resource Center and often is there every weekday from the time it opens at 10 a.m. to closing at 6 p.m. The center is an extension of First Place for Youth, which provides housing, education and employment services to foster youths when they age out of the system at 18. The First Place administrative building in downtown Oakland was running out of space for many of its programs, and the youths needed their own space, said Sam Cobbs, executive director of First Place for Youth. They also wanted a place that was welcoming to the public and not an office building.
Overloaded charities get federal stimulus money
American-Statesman, Austin, TX – August 10, 2009
Vanesha Alexander wants to pay her own way. The 22-year-old Austin mother works at Austin Energy and lives on a tight budget. She saves her money. And she eventually wants to move out of the apartment that she rents with help from a local nonprofit group. New federal stimulus money flowing into local nonprofits may help her do just that. Four Austin agencies that serve homeless and low-income people recently received a combined
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
This Week's News: Youth in Transition
Education
New Hampshire's first virtual high school classroom program in Exeter getting good grades
Foster’s Daily Democrat, Exeter, NH – August 3, 2009
The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, New Hampshire's first online high school, is becoming a force in the state's education system. About 2,000 students are currently signed up for classes. One hundred teachers from all five New England states are on staff. Almost 50 courses are offered. Since its founding in May 2007, the academy has exceeded all expectations, according to education officials.
Calhoun school district makes dropping out difficult
Victoria Advocate, Port Lavaca, TX – August 2, 2009
Students in Calhoun County school district have been celebrating accomplishments ranging from University Interscholastic League academics to athletics. And just before school starts again, the district has another reason to celebrate. Calhoun County was recognized this summer by "Education Week,'' a national magazine, as one of 27 districts in the country that surpassed expected graduation-rate improvements between 1996 and 2006 by 10 points or more.
Conference to put spotlight on dropout rate
The Times, Shreveport, LA – July 30, 2009
In an attempt to make a dent in the school dropout rate, a group of Caddo entities led by Alliance for Education will host a conference next week at Southern University-Shreveport. The Shreveport Dropout Prevention Summit: Parent University will be a forum to discuss the dropout rate, generate solutions and give parents resources to help their children toward high school graduation.
Juvenile Justice
Summer programs pay off
The Gainesville Sun, Alachua County, FL – August 3, 2009
Cuts to this year's Alachua County traditional summer school program and last year's series of teenage troubles, where Gainesville police dealt with a fight near a city pool and rowdy gatherings in store parking lots, didn't bode well for this summer's juvenile crime record. But, unlike rising summer temperatures, arrests of juveniles for the first month of summer didn't increase for Alachua County or the city of Gainesville. The numbers held steady or decreased compared to the two months prior to June, according to reports from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department.
County introduces program to deter juvenile crime
Sentinel, Middlesex County, NJ – July 30, 2009
Anew county initiative called the "Clean Slate" program will give youngsters suspected of minor crimes a second chance to stay out of trouble, while easing the number of cases going to Family Court. According to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, when youngsters commit crimes such as carrying fake identification cards or damaging someone's property, they face the possibility of getting arrested and convicted as juvenile delinquents. However, some youths will be spared the ordeal of being arrested, charged and then tried by a Family Court judge under a new comprehensive program aimed at deterring first-time juvenile offenders from committing more serious crimes.
Foster Care
MSU summer camp prepares foster kids for college
Chicago Tribune, East Lansing, MI – August 2, 2009
Michigan State University begins its efforts to keep former foster children in college even before they enroll. This Wednesday through Friday, the East Lansing school holds its second-annual summer camp for high school age foster children. The camp focuses on what the students can expect once they get to college. The Michigan State camp is an outgrowth of the university's Foster Care Alumni Services.
The Brighter Side Of DCF
Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT – August 2, 2009
Her mother died when she was just 2. She never knew her father. She was 11 when she first entered the labyrinth of the Department of Children and Families. Sounds like the beginning of a hard luck story, one we've heard too many times. And yet, there sat Tina Thomas one recent afternoon, surrounded by adults who all had the same open-mouthed reaction to how masterfully the 18-year-old worked a system that manages to break so many others. If there was an educational program offered by DCF, Thomas was all over it. Youth leadership seminars — she was there. Job readiness programs — that's how she landed the law office internship she has now. Financial literacy workshops — no question, count her in. In fact, that's why I'd initially gone to the DCF office on Hamilton Street, to talk to her about a matched savings account program offered by the Jim Casey Foundation for youths in foster care.
State Leaders Taking Steps to Make Sure Foster Children Get Education
WMBB News Channel 13, Tallahassee, FL – July 30, 2009
State government leaders are taking action to try to make sure children in Florida’s foster care system are getting the stability and assistance they need to succeed in school. The leaders of five state agencies signed an agreement Thursday to work together on that mission. State leaders say too many children lose stability when they enter the foster care system and that makes it tough for them to do well in school. Children are often shuffled from home to home and are forced to change schools.
New Hampshire's first virtual high school classroom program in Exeter getting good grades
Foster’s Daily Democrat, Exeter, NH – August 3, 2009
The Virtual Learning Academy Charter School, New Hampshire's first online high school, is becoming a force in the state's education system. About 2,000 students are currently signed up for classes. One hundred teachers from all five New England states are on staff. Almost 50 courses are offered. Since its founding in May 2007, the academy has exceeded all expectations, according to education officials.
Calhoun school district makes dropping out difficult
Victoria Advocate, Port Lavaca, TX – August 2, 2009
Students in Calhoun County school district have been celebrating accomplishments ranging from University Interscholastic League academics to athletics. And just before school starts again, the district has another reason to celebrate. Calhoun County was recognized this summer by "Education Week,'' a national magazine, as one of 27 districts in the country that surpassed expected graduation-rate improvements between 1996 and 2006 by 10 points or more.
Conference to put spotlight on dropout rate
The Times, Shreveport, LA – July 30, 2009
In an attempt to make a dent in the school dropout rate, a group of Caddo entities led by Alliance for Education will host a conference next week at Southern University-Shreveport. The Shreveport Dropout Prevention Summit: Parent University will be a forum to discuss the dropout rate, generate solutions and give parents resources to help their children toward high school graduation.
Juvenile Justice
Summer programs pay off
The Gainesville Sun, Alachua County, FL – August 3, 2009
Cuts to this year's Alachua County traditional summer school program and last year's series of teenage troubles, where Gainesville police dealt with a fight near a city pool and rowdy gatherings in store parking lots, didn't bode well for this summer's juvenile crime record. But, unlike rising summer temperatures, arrests of juveniles for the first month of summer didn't increase for Alachua County or the city of Gainesville. The numbers held steady or decreased compared to the two months prior to June, according to reports from the Alachua County Sheriff's Office and the Gainesville Police Department.
County introduces program to deter juvenile crime
Sentinel, Middlesex County, NJ – July 30, 2009
Anew county initiative called the "Clean Slate" program will give youngsters suspected of minor crimes a second chance to stay out of trouble, while easing the number of cases going to Family Court. According to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, when youngsters commit crimes such as carrying fake identification cards or damaging someone's property, they face the possibility of getting arrested and convicted as juvenile delinquents. However, some youths will be spared the ordeal of being arrested, charged and then tried by a Family Court judge under a new comprehensive program aimed at deterring first-time juvenile offenders from committing more serious crimes.
Foster Care
MSU summer camp prepares foster kids for college
Chicago Tribune, East Lansing, MI – August 2, 2009
Michigan State University begins its efforts to keep former foster children in college even before they enroll. This Wednesday through Friday, the East Lansing school holds its second-annual summer camp for high school age foster children. The camp focuses on what the students can expect once they get to college. The Michigan State camp is an outgrowth of the university's Foster Care Alumni Services.
The Brighter Side Of DCF
Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT – August 2, 2009
Her mother died when she was just 2. She never knew her father. She was 11 when she first entered the labyrinth of the Department of Children and Families. Sounds like the beginning of a hard luck story, one we've heard too many times. And yet, there sat Tina Thomas one recent afternoon, surrounded by adults who all had the same open-mouthed reaction to how masterfully the 18-year-old worked a system that manages to break so many others. If there was an educational program offered by DCF, Thomas was all over it. Youth leadership seminars — she was there. Job readiness programs — that's how she landed the law office internship she has now. Financial literacy workshops — no question, count her in. In fact, that's why I'd initially gone to the DCF office on Hamilton Street, to talk to her about a matched savings account program offered by the Jim Casey Foundation for youths in foster care.
State Leaders Taking Steps to Make Sure Foster Children Get Education
WMBB News Channel 13, Tallahassee, FL – July 30, 2009
State government leaders are taking action to try to make sure children in Florida’s foster care system are getting the stability and assistance they need to succeed in school. The leaders of five state agencies signed an agreement Thursday to work together on that mission. State leaders say too many children lose stability when they enter the foster care system and that makes it tough for them to do well in school. Children are often shuffled from home to home and are forced to change schools.
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