Featured news in this OJJDP (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention) newsletter concerns a new online resource of evidence-based programs; a joint project on school disciplinary practices; peer advocate for at-risk and delinquent youth; a leadership conference for Tribal youth; a publication series on underage drinking; family engagement listening sessions; and online technical assistance for OJJDP's Missing and Exploited Children's Program.
CrimeSolutions.gov is a website that informs practitioners and policymakers about what works in criminal justice, juvenile justice, and crime-victim services. On July 21, 2011, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Education announced the creation of the Supportive School Discipline Initiative. It is a collaboration between the two agencies in targeting school disciplinary policies and in-school arrests that push youth out of school and into the justice system. Starcia Ague, who is leading a national crusade for reforms in the juvenile justice system, was incarcerated for 6 years at age 15 on charges that included kidnapping and robbery. On July 24-28, 2011, just over 170 Tribal youth from across the Nation joined Federal officials, youth advocates, and field experts at the National Intertribal Youth Summit to discuss a range of issues impacting youth in Indian country. OJJDP has launched a new publication series ("Underage Drinking") that is intended to educate practitioners and policymakers about the problems youth face when they abuse alcohol; evidence-based guidelines for addressing this issue will be offered. During the spring and summer of 2011, OJJDP hosted a series of Family Engagement Listening Sessions in which family members of current and previously incarcerated youth shared with juvenile justice leaders their firsthand experiences, challenges, and recommendations. OJJDP recently opened a website that facilitates access to training and technical assistance offered by the Missing and Exploited Children's Program.