This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

Schools looks to fix problems causing dropouts
Sun Herald, Vicksburg, MS – March 2, 2013
At the time, dropping out of Vicksburg Junior High School seemed like the only decision for Sengrid Griffin.  Today, the Vicksburg Warren School District is making strides to address the problems of dropouts. Griffin said she wishes school districts placed more emphasis on identifying potential dropouts and helping -- whether it be through tutoring or therapy.

Tennessee's graduation rates improve
Jackson Sun, Tennessee – February 26, 2013
Tennessee’s high school graduation rate improved faster than those of other states as the nation finally showed promise of reaching the 90 percent diploma threshold, according to a report released today.

It Takes a B.A. to Find a Job as a File Clerk
The New York Times, Atlanta, GA – February 19, 2013
The college degree is becoming the new high school diploma: the new minimum requirement, albeit an expensive one, for getting even the lowest-level job.  Consider the 45-person law firm of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh here in Atlanta, a place that has seen tremendous growth in the college-educated population.

Juvenile Justice

Tennessee leads in shrinking juvenile detention rate
KnoxNews.com, Washington, D.C. – March 3, 2013
The rate of juvenile detention has fallen to its lowest national level in 35 years, with Tennessee showing the biggest drop, a new analysis of federal statistics shows.  “Reducing Youth Incarceration in the U.S.,” released Wednesday by the private Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, shows a significant decline in confinement of people younger than 21.

Neb. lawmakers promise push for juvenile justice
San Francisco Chronicle, Lincoln, NE – March 1, 2013
Lawmakers are promising a major push to reduce the number of incarcerated juveniles in Nebraska, with a focus on early treatment for those with behavioral problems.  Sens. Brad Ashford of Omaha and Amanda McGill of Lincoln touted a series of reform measures Friday that are set for hearings next week.

Georgia House approves juvenile justice overhaul
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia – February 28, 2013
After a brief presentation and no questions, the House on Thursday unanimously approved a rewrite of the state’s laws governing children, those in trouble with the law and those who are neglected or abused.

Foster Care

Mid-Plains to offer pilot program for transitional living
 The Independent, Nebraska – March 3, 2013
Teenagers aging out of the Nebraska foster care system may soon have a place to land in Grand Island before being totally on their own.  Mid-Plains Center for Behavioral Healthcare Services is preparing to open a pilot program for transitional living.

Cal Poly Former Foster Child Turns Into Foster Mentor
KCOY, San Luis Obispo, CA – March 2, 2013
Foster youth who age out of the system often end up homeless, unemployed or jailed.  One foster care program in San Luis Obispo is hoping to change that.  When Jesse Bartley was taken from her stepfather for abuse and neglect, all she had was a trash bag full of clothes.  "Not having a stable environment and not having esteem," says Bartley. "You let you grades slack. All the things that you need to prop yourself up can fall through the cracks.”  Her story reflects that of more than 350 foster kids in San Luis Obispo County alone.

Teen Pregnancy

New NYC media effort targets teen pregnancies
Long Island Newsday, New York, NY – March 3, 2013
The city launched a new media campaign Sunday to curb teen pregnancies.  Although the teen-pregnancy rate in the city deceased 27 percent during the past 10 years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said there are 20,000 teen pregnancies annually in the city and many of those parents struggle to pay the bills.

Raleigh County groups come together to lower teen pregnancy rates
WVNS TV, Raleigh County, NC – March 2, 2013
Child poverty in Raleigh County is unfortunately on the rise but many outreach groups are working hard to turn that around.  On Saturday local agencies campaigned to lower teen pregnancy and school drop out rates.  After the United Way and the Raleigh County Schools Superintendent began the event, the floor was open for discussion.

YWCA Working To Prevent Teen Pregnancy
WFMY News, Greensboro, NC – February 25, 2013
The YWCA's of Greensboro and High Point are teaming up on Monday to ask legislators for their help in preventing teenage pregnancy, an effort the YWCA tackles every day.