Experts to Share Latest Bullying Prevention Strategies

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Every day, thousands of kids wake up afraid to go to school. They check their Facebook or look at their cell phones, worried about what they’ll find. If there’s a child in your life who needs help, check out a webcast sponsored by the Federal Partners in Bullying Prevention Working Group, taking place October 27 at 1:00 p.m.

The webcast will feature a panel of experts including:

Dr. Catherine Bradshaw, Associate Director, Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence
Kevin Jennings, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, U.S. Department of Education
Capt. Stephanie Bryn, Director, Injury and Violence Prevention Programs, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The registration deadline is October 25. To register and get log in information, click here.

Teens Drinking Less in Georgia: Feds Credit Community Teamwork

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Underage drinking has declined in Georgia, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA has released a video on the many ways the state of Georgia has successfully fought underage drinking. “I’m happy to say that Georgia has the lowest reported binge drinking rates of all the states and I firmly believe that this is the result of a concerted effort,” said Brenda J.D. Rowe, Ph.D., Director of Substance Abuse Prevention & Behavioral Development for Georgia’s Department of Human Resources. The Cobb County Alcohol Taskforce is one of the groups on the frontlines. Coordinator Cathy Fink also sees great progress.

Marietta Police Produce Video on Bullying

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The Marietta Police Department and the City School system have created an eight-minute video with advice for parents on bullying.  The first recommendation may be the most important: good communication between parents and kids. Police officers also outline how families can identify the signs of bullying, how parents should report bullying, what schools are required to do, and what actions police may take. Click here to watch the video

Click here to see more crime prevention videos from the Marietta Police Department.

Not Your Average Schoolhouse: Inside Ga.’s Largest Detention Center

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In many ways it looks like a typical school building – the non-descript tan brick exterior, the packed parking lot and the flagpole with the American and Georgia state flags thrashing in the wind out front. The majestic arched fence topped by a mass of coiled barbed wire is the first tipoff.  And the fact that you have to step inside and a guard must view you on a surveillance camera, before buzzing you into the fenced-in walkway confirms it. Clearly this isn’t your average schoolhouse. Welcome to the Metro Atlanta Regional Youth Detention Center, a 200-bed facility (maximum capacity of 150 boys and 50 girls) where Georgia youth who are in trouble with the law live and learn while they navigate the criminal justice system.  On this day, the population is down, 132 students are onsite.

Hotel and Airline Workers Get Training to Spot Victims of Child Sex Trafficking

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Hotel and airline workers are getting trained to spot child sex trafficking, according to Reuters.com. Innocents At Risk, a nonprofit focused on fighting child exploitation and human trafficking, is working with Airline Ambassadors International and the Air Transport Association. They have a training program to help flight attendants, hotel desk clerks, cleaning crews and other workers spot children in trouble. Signs of child trafficking include:

The child has few personal items when they board the plane. The child avoids eye contact, looks paranoid, undernourished and behaves in an unusually submissive manner.

Reducing Gang Activity: OJJDP Best Practices

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Looking for some help to reduce gang crime in your neighborhood? Doing a thorough assessment of the nature and scope of the youth gang problem in your community is just one of the Best Practices from OJJDP. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has just released a new report called Best Practices To Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP’s Comprehensive Gang Model, which includes nationwide research on effective gang reduction methods. Some of these Best Practices include:

Addressing the problem
Holding youth accountable
Providing relevant programming
Coordinating community participation

For the full model, click here.

Judge Hatchett Brings Juvenile Justice Message To Atlanta Twice This Month

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Judge Glenda Hatchet is most widely known for her nationally-syndicated television show, but many people don’t know that before she claimed fame on the tube, she served as Chief Presiding Judge of Atlanta’s Fulton County Juvenile Court. Over the years the former senior attorney for Delta Air Lines and Emory University School of Law alumna, has built up quite a reputation as a passionate advocate for parents, children and families.  The author and in-demand speaker is scheduled to take her expertise and no-nonsense commentary to metro Atlanta  audiences twice this month during addresses October 16 and October 28.  It's no surprise that  Hatchett has a lot to say about the juvenile justice system. She spoke to JJIE.org’s Chandra Thomas about an array of issues, including her concerns about Georgia’s system, why fighting truancy matters and the focus of her new book. What do you consider the number one juvenile justice issue in Georgia? Hands down it would be the lack of resources.

Expunging Your Record: How-To Forum

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An estimated 400,000 Georgians will be arrested for a criminal offense this year, according to the Georgia Justice Project. Some of these people will never be convicted, but their arrest record could make it hard for them to get a job, rent an apartment, get into school, etc. The Georgia Justice Project is hosting a forum called “Is There A Real Second Chance in Georgia?” on October 9. It’s a day long event to help people get their records expunged and/or corrected. Religious leaders and elected officials, including Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, will be there.

How Social Media Can Help or Hurt in Court

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Teens have been warned that what they post on Facebook, Myspace and other social websites can affect their chances at getting into college or landing a job. Now, judges and attorneys are using these online profiles in court, which could hurt or help. Criminal defense lawyers sometimes consider reviewing social pages as important as reviewing medical and school records and other background information, according to the New York Law Journal. Teens often post pictures of their wild exploits and share information through posts and comments. This kind of personal disclosure can undermine statements they make in court and lead to a longer sentence.

Elementary Kids Accused of Gang Activity – Mayoral Candidate Intervenes

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Should children face felony charges for a school fight? The issue has become political in Bibb County. Mayoral candidate C. Jack Ellis is supporting four boys, ages 9 and 10, charged with felony gang violence, according to WMAZ-13 TV. The boys put another child in a chokehold in March during a fight at school. Ellis maintains this was not an act of gang violence because there was no blood, broken bones or weapons.