The National CARES Mentoring Movement (NCMM) is a call to commitment and action to the Black community to mentor its young, providing guidance and encouragement to build happy, productive and self-sustaining lives. Objectives include: (1) Connecting vulnerable Black youngsters with caring adults; (2) Communicating to at-risk youth that their…

This report presents the experiences of and lessons learned by Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) sites regarding the development of effective alternatives to secure detention. Each site expanded or enhanced its program repertoire as part of its detention system reform efforts. Chapter 1, "Why We Need Effective Alternatives to…

This report discusses how to reduce unnecessary delay in the juvenile justice system, presenting data from the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). Chapter 1, "Why Focus on Unnecessary Delay?" explains the negative effects of unnecessary delays. Chapter 2, "Guiding Principles," examines principles inherent in all…

This report discusses strategies for handling difficult juvenile detention populations (warrant cases, probation violators, and post-adjudication detention). It offers strategies used in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) sites and in other jurisdictions to reduce unnecessary detention in these special cases. Chapter 1,…

This report explores how Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) sites promoted and sustained detention reforms in their jurisdictions. Chapter 1, "Why Promoting and Sustaining Detention Reform are Important," introduces the issue. Chapter 2, "Promoting Reform," discusses how to establish the need for reform, build…

The placement of tobacco retail outlets near schools (especially elementary schools) has potentially harmful implications for youth, since kids get the message that smoking is acceptable. In order to determine how easy it is for youth to buy cigarettes, the Youth Tobacco Project was launched in October, 1995. To find out how accessible cigarettes…

This report addresses governance and leadership prerequisites for implementing specific strategies essential to juvenile detention reform. Chapter 1, "Why Are Collaboration and Leadership Essential to Detention Reform?" discusses principles of collaboration and leadership that emerged from the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative…

In 1992, the Annie E. Casey Foundation launched a multiyear, multisite project known as the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). This report focuses on reducing racial disparities in juvenile detention. The number of youth held in secure detention nationwide increased by 72% from 1985 to 1995. During this period, the number of white…

This report describes lessons learned from the Broward Detention Initiative (BDI) in Broward County, Florida, a successful detention reform effort that led to attempts at replication. Chapter 1, "The Predecessor Program: The Broward Detention Initiative," explains key factors in BDI's success (e.g., the site was ready, problems were…

Describes how one community (1) realized it had a problem with disaffected and troubled youth; (2) began to learn about the problem; (3) gradually shaped a youth program and then expanded it to reach younger teens; and (4) regained its young people. (SR)

This report examines how Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) sites used data to plan reforms and assess reform success, noting where and how they gathered data. Chapter 1, "The Need for Data," discusses: assessing data utilization, using data to enhance communication, and using this report to support reform. Chapter 2,…

New voluntary agencies have grown out of the social changes of the 1960s. These grass-roots organizations, such as coffee houses, legal aid societies, and community counseling centers, differ in program style and attitude from traditional social agencies and may be more effective with alienated and cynical young people. (SJL)

Provides an in-depth discussion of issue of gang violence and effects on schools. In past two decades street gangs have become a problem, not just in large urban centers, but also in smaller urban areas and suburbs. Outlines seven ways to work at preventing gang activities in schools. Urges school boards to play greater role in fighting gang…

Describes bulimia, its symptoms, characteristics and bulimic's family profile. Disorder may be more difficult to hide at camp. Camp staff could be first to recognize symptoms. Describes behavior indicators of bulimics. Suggests appropriate responses and counseling techniques for helping bulimic campers. (TES)

Describes the principles of the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) model and how these principles are expressed in a program serving delinquent and dependent youth in Pennsylvania. Discusses creating a BARJ culture, competency-based curriculum, unique features of the Pennsylvania program, and student discipline. (SR)