This Week's News: Youth in Transition

Education

Kentucky to raise school dropout age to 18
UPI.com, Kentucky – March 12, 2013
A bill to raise Kentucky's legal school dropout age from 16 to 18 was sent to Gov. Steve Beshear, who said he will sign it.  The bill passed the Senate by 34-5 Monday after passing in the House by 88-10.

BOE studies the warnings signs of dropout students
The Pocahontas Times, West Virginia - March 14, 2013
The Pocahontas County board of education heard from dropout preventionist and attendance director Susan Borror at its meeting Monday night. Borror outlined the top 10 reasons students drop out of school.

Juvenile Justice

Addressing girls' health needs at juvenile detention centers
Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles County, CA – March 16, 2013
Latrice lifts the sleeve of her gray sweatshirt to reveal small, dark lines — scars from slicing her forearm over and over to drown out pain from years of sexual abuse. She says she was an alcoholic, dropped out of school in the eighth grade and got pregnant at 16.  Research shows that many of these girls’ problems could be addressed if officials simply asked the right questions.

Bill aims to reduce number of youths at YRTCs
KearnyHub.com, Lincoln, NE – March 13, 2013
Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers in Kearney and Geneva may eventually consolidate, but will escape immediate closure under the latest plan for revamping Nebraska’s juvenile justice system.  Members of the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee agreed Tuesday to prioritize a bill with a yet-to-be-finalized amendment intended to sharply reduce the number of juvenile offenders sent to the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers. LB561 will try to encourage greater use of community treatment as a better alternative to locked detention.

Foster Care

Park West Foundation helps youth transition out of foster care
Michigan Chronicle, Michigan – March 15, 2013
Since 2006, the nonprofit Park West Foundation has helped more than 350 young women and men in the foster care system transition into the “real world.”

Teen Pregnancy

Berkshire United Way launches effort to reduce teen pregnancy
The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, MA – March 15, 2013
The president and CEO of the Berkshire United Way has outlined a plan to decrease the county's high teenage pregnancy rate at least 10 percent by 2016.  Thursday morning before a crowd of Berkshire County stakeholders, Kristine Hazzard said the plan will educate parents, raise awareness about the high rate of teenage pregnancy, and use resources to leverage cooperation.