JCCF NEWS SUMMARY
March 21, 2013
Covering the Justice Gap
Photo Courtesy of U.S. Supreme Court
 
Gideon v. Wainwright, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case guaranteeing a right to counsel in criminal cases, celebrated its 50th anniversary this week.
 
The Gideon ruling championed the idea of justice for all, but the legal needs of many Americans remain unfulfilled. That's because civil proceedings like divorce, child support, protection orders, home foreclosures and landlord-tenant disputes are not covered by Gideon. So for people who can't afford a lawyer, justice is often still out of reach.
 
What are the civil legal aid programs in your state?  Civil legal assistance programs by the
Legal Services Corporation are in every state but funding for these public-private partnership programs vary wildly, and the funding disparities are sure to be exacerbated by sequestration. In 2010, California was the first state to enact legislation that provided representation for its low-income residents through a series of pilot programs. 
 
Additional Resources:
"The Next 4 Years: What Lies Ahead for Legal Services, Pro Bono and Access to Justice (Video), February 2013, Washington Council of Lawyers and Center for American Progress
"The Justice Gap: Civil Legal Assistance Today and Tomorrow," June 2011, Center for American Progess
"Documenting the Justice Gap," September 2009, Legal Services Counsel 
 
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Appointment TV: Education Under Arrest
 
Zero Tolerance Policies remove kids from schools the first time they transgress.
 
As a consequence of zero tolerance policies, students are suspended, expelled, even arrested for minor offenses, creating a "school to prison pipeline." Tavis Smiley Reports will explore the connection between the dropout crisis and the zero tolerance policies in "Education Under Arrest," airing on Tuesday, March 26 at 8 p.m.  ET/7 p.m. CT. 

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NewsNEWS OF NOTE

 

Meth-Addicted Moms Have Babies With Odd Stress Response

LiveScience, Stephanie Pappas | March 20

Toddlers whose mothers used methamphetamines during pregnancy show a blunted response to stressful situations, but only when they also live in unstable home environments. The odd stress response puts children at a greater risk for depression, anxiety and ADHD.

 

Why ICE Released Those 2,000 Immigrant Detainees

PBS Frontline, Sarah Childress | March 19

Last month, the Office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) quietly announced that it had released 2,000 undocumented immigrants it was holding in detention. For the most part, those who were released were people who didn't need to be detained in the first place, ICE Director John Morton said.

 

As Sex Abuse Case Goes Unprosecuted, Some Want Missouri Law Changed

St. Louis Post Dispatch, Nancy Cambria | March 18

A Missouri man accused of child sexual abuse escapes criminal charges, despite a finding by the state Children's division that sexual abuse had occurred. The case has helped inspire a legislative movement to amend the state constitution.

 

A Brave New World of Firepower Since the 2nd Amendment (Opinion)

Fair Warning, Barton Dean | March 18

At the time the Second Amendment was adopted, the framers of the Constitution would never have foreseen citizens owning semi-automatic assault weapons and high-capacity ammo clips.

 

Two Steubenville Football Players Are Sentenced to Youth Prison for Raping 16-year-old Girl

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Rachel Dissell | March 18

A grand jury will convene April 15 to investigate whether charges will be filed against others.

 

To Control Asthma, Start with the Home Instead of the Child

NPR, Richard Knox | March 18

When doctors at Children's Hospital in Boston noticed they kept seeing a high number of asthmatic kids from low-income neighborhoods, they developed a program to help parents get rid of asthma attack triggers in the home.

 

California EPA Puts West Fresno Atop Cities with High Health Risks

The Sacramento Bee, Mark Grossi | March 17

West Fresno and many parts of the Central Valley will soon be known as the riskiest places in California to live. Financial help appears to be headed there, but controversy surrounds it.

 

Annmarie Timmins: I'm One of the 26 Percent with Mental Illness

Concord (N.H.) Monitor, Annmarie Timmins | March 17

Reporter Annmarie Timmins shares the story of her long and private struggle with depression.

 

Another Side of Illegal Immigration

Los Angeles Times, Steve Lopez | March 17

More than 1 million of the nation's undocumented immigrants are Asian and Pacific Islanders. Young members of that group have benefitted from the Dream Act and are speaking up to advocate for immigration reform

 

Gay Couples also Deserve Chance to Get Married (opinion)

Columbus Dispatch, Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) | March 15

After his own son came out as gay, GOP Senator Rob Portman grappled with his Christian faith and had a change of heart on same-sex marriage.

 

Why Do We Suspend Children from School?

Slate, Brian Palmer | March 15

Suspension is a common punishment even though it is demonstrably ineffective. Why? Because it's familiar, cheap and convenient.

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EventsEVENTS
March 22, 12 p.m - 1:15 p.m. ET
Coalition for Human Needs and the Community Action Partnership
Decisions made by Congress in the next few months can open up consequences for safety net programs like Medicaid, Medicare and SNAP. An expert panel will provide an explanation of where things stand now and what steps can be taken to fight efforts to slash services.

April 3, 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
American Enterprise Institute
Washington, DC or Webinar
A discussion on the education reform agenda and its impact on U.S. public schools.  

April 9, 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. ET
America's Promise Alliance
The webinar will highlight leaders from Baltimore, Los Angeles and New York, who have rallied their communities to promote and improve student attendance. An online toolkit will provide resources for joining Attendance Awareness Month this September.
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OpportunitiesOPPORTUNITIES 
 
Deadline: April 1
UC Berkeley
A $10,000 fellowship for early and mid-career journalists who wish to report longform stories on agricultural and nutritional policy, the food industry, food science, technology and culture, rural and urban farming and other food systems subjects. 
 
Deadline: April 10
The California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships at USC Annenberg
Twenty journalists from around the country will be chosen for the all-expenses-paid five-day fellowship, which will explore the links between place and health. Each fellow will receive a grant of $2,000-$10,000 to support an ambitious health reporting project.  
 
Deadline: April 15
A $10,000 fellowship to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and combat stigma against people with mental illnesses. 
  
Deadline: Ongoing
Poynter's News University and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center
A free, self-directed course covering the complex topic of sexual violence. 
 
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ABOUT THE JCCF NEWS SUMMARY

Mina Dixon, Editor 

The Journalism Center on Children & Families, a program of the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, is a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting media coverage of children, youth and families, particularly the disadvantaged. The JCCF News Summary helps journalists and others keep in touch with the latest news, policy analysis and research reports on critical social issues that impact families and communities. We encourage redistribution of this material with credit given to the Journalism Center on Children & Families.

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