More Data Needed on New Group ‘Emerging Adults’
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This age interval is the final stage in the continuum of brain development that creates mature adults — those with aspirations, plans and possibilities and who are engaged in society.
OP-ED: Justice Foiled by Ignorance of Trauma
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I can attempt to salve my conscience because I did not know about brain development or trauma-informed practice. But it doesn’t work — acknowledging my ignorance and failures of the justice system cannot repair the harm done.
OP-ED: Reality of Child Crime Often Starts With Child Abuse, Neglect
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There is sometimes a perception that abused kids are good and that delinquents are bad. But when an abused kid commits a crime, he suddenly is seen by some as a dangerous miscreant. Obviously, system change is needed.
OP-ED: Fraternity Chant Shows How Racism Infects Organization
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When something happens to upset our intellectual, emotional and social well-being, we have to find a way to deal with it. The cellphone video of the racist chant on a fraternity bus ride now stands stark in our collective conscience and is such an event.
OP-ED: We Must Advocate for Juvenile Defense Attorneys
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The defender is the court stakeholder who MUST know and understand adolescent development science, evidence, trauma-informed therapies and the local availability of treatment modalities. An effective juvenile defender makes the justice system work in determining guilt as well as advocating for the consequence that will be most likely to improve public safety.
OP-ED: Judges’ Involvement in Juvenile Justice Meetings Is Booster Shot
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The more we can engage judges in the work of juvenile justice councils, the more likely we will be to involve the entire community. State systems can make better laws and policies and provide funding and resources, but it takes community members to change attitudes and practices that impact individual lives.
OP-ED: Juvenile Justice Questions to Ask for 2015
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“You always have something to look forward to — there is always something to repair or improve.”
That is also a good attitude for juvenile justice advocates.
OP-ED: Time to Talk to the New Politicians and Save Some Lives
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What do state politics have to do with juvenile justice? Just about everything.
OP-ED: Book Clubs Are Next Logical Step
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In just the last 15 years, the field of juvenile justice has exploded with knowledge gained through scientific research and the increased availability of data. Making that information more widely known can speed the pace of juvenile justice reform.
OP-ED: Juvenile Courts Are Losing Opportunities to Create Better Futures
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This outcome isn’t inevitable. The research and training opportunities for all juvenile court practitioners have helped spread the word of better practices, which not only avoid the devastation caused by unnecessary incarceration but also offer more effective approaches that improve the well-being of youth, crime victims and communities.