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JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDER REFORM AND CONFERENCE
The “Youth Who Fall Through the Cracks” Project
Hundreds of thousands of teenage youth in the United States face social and emotional problems that can result in their placement into public and/or private systems that are supposed to ensure their safety, permanence and/or to rehabilitate “troublesome” behaviors. Often, however, the “systems” in which these youth are placed—child protection and status offense—are ill-equipped to address the particular needs of these youth.
Project Populations
Juvenile Status Offenders: Each year hundreds of thousands of youth are the subject of juvenile court “status offender” petitions. These youth are brought before the court because they are missing school, run away from home, or are allegedly ‘beyond the control’ of their parents.
Teenage Youth under the Supervision of Child Protective Services: Some teenagers come under the care of child protection agencies for reasons other than “typical” abuse or neglect. Many enter the dependency system because they chronically run away from home or are allegedly out of the control of their parent(s).
Project Focus and Research
This project aims to identify innovative and successful legislation, policies, and programs that respond to these youth and their families by:
- Researching legislation and policy;
- Reviewing literature and studies;
- Conducting informant interviews; and
- Visiting select sites.
Click here to download the press release
Based on this research, in 2007, project staff published a report containing recommendations and examples of how public systems can better respond to this population of youth through legislative and policy reform. This report offers:
- Guidance on the paths at-risk youth take to court involvement;
- Recommendations regarding the keys to innovative juvenile status offense laws; and
- Recommendations regarding successful child welfare policies for youth who are at-risk of entering foster care because of behavior.
Click here to purchase a copy of this publication.
ABA Policy: Diversion of and Programs for Juvenile Status Offenders
On August 13, 2007 the American Bar Association’s policy-making body, the House of Delegates, meeting in San Francisco, spoke out on critical legislative and policy issues affecting juvenile status offenders. The House of Delegates adopted association policy that urges states and Congress to pass laws and support policies that divert status offenders from court jurisdiction by requiring the implementation of programs that provide early intervention services to these youth and families in need of critical assistance.
Resolution 104C
RESOLVED, that the American Bar Association urges state, local, territorial, and tribal jurisdictions to pass laws and support policies and programs that divert alleged juvenile status offenders from court jurisdiction that:
- Mandate the development and implementation of targeted evidence-based programs that provide juvenile, family-focused, and strength-based early intervention and pre-court prevention services and treatment to alleged juvenile status offenders and their families; and
- Promote the development of gender-responsive programs, treatment, and services for alleged juvenile status offenders.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the American Bar Association urges Congress to make the availability of federal funds contingent on compliance with the following requirements related to juvenile status offenders:
- Articulate minimum guidelines with which states, territories, and tribal jurisdictions must comply in implementing early intervention and diversion programs for alleged juvenile status offenders. These programs should be evidence-based, gender-responsive, family and youth-focused and attempt to exhaust voluntary treatment and services to avoid court involvement and out-of-home placement;
- Expand and support the ability of state, local, territorial, and tribal youth-serving social service agencies to be a timely first responder to situations involving juvenile status offenders and provide effective services and treatment to both alleged and adjudicated juvenile status offenders; and
- Promote community-based services to alleged and adjudicated status offenders and families in their homes, communities, or in respite, foster, group, or staff-secure settings, if necessary for the protection and safety of the juvenile.
Click here to access the full text of the resolution.
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Juvenile Status Offense
Videoconference
On Thursday, January 18, 2007, the American Bar Association's Commission on Youth at Risk with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice and the Family and the Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aired the 2-hour national videoconference "Addressing the Needs of Juvenile Status Offenders and Their Families." This satellite/Internet videoconference focuses on the factors that may lead a juvenile status offender to become more deeply involved in serious risk behavior or the juvenile justice system. The broadcast highlights legislative reforms, policies, programs, and practices around the country that have shown promise in intervening with juvenile status offenders by reducing further offending, providing needed support to their families, and steering them toward a positive future. Click
here to watch a free on-line version of the videoconference. |
Contact Us:
American Bar Association
Center on Children and the Law
740 15th St, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005-1019
Phone: (202) 662-1720 Fax: (202) 662-1755
Please direct inquiries to Jessica
Kendall
