Rebuilding the Infrastructure for At-Risk Youth

• NCJ Number: 242432
• Author(s): Barry Krisberg Ph.D.; Linh Vuong
• Date Published: February 2009
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Sale Source: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This "Special Report" of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) identifies changes under the Bush administration that have negatively impacted the support system for at-risk youth, their families, and their communities; and it suggests opportunities for the Obama administration to rebuild the infrastructure needed to promote the positive development of at-risk youth and their families.

Abstract

With a decrease in Federal funding under the Bush administration, many excellent after-school programs have closed. Data show that the hours between after-school and evening are prime time for juvenile crimes. After-school programs not only prevent crime by keeping youth off the streets, they promote values and behaviors that work as protective factors. Another significant area that has been hurt under the Bush administration is services for at-risk youth under the Federal Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). President Bush's last budget proposal eliminated JJDPA funding completely, replacing it with two other programs, the "Child Safety and Juvenile Justice Program" and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. The JJDPA, which was enacted in 1974, encompasses the work of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), which supports State and local efforts in juvenile justice through research and information dissemination on juvenile justice topics. It also facilitates protections for youth with which States must comply in order to receive Federal funding. On the other hand, both programs proposed by the Bush administration to replace the JJDPA would further decrease the Federal Government's role in juvenile justice. Actions recommended for the Obama administration pertain to ending abuse in juvenile detention facilities ensuring gender-specific care for youth, addressing youth's mental health needs, providing services for children of incarcerated parents, and providing culturally and linguistically competent services. 26 notes