New Guideline Addresses Management of Adolescent ADHD in Correctional Settings

Chicago (January 13, 2014) -- To assist in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adolescents in correctional institutions, the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) has issued a new guideline on Adolescent ADHD. According to a study by the Yale School of Public Health, children with ADHD are more likely to engage in criminal activity such as burglary, theft and drug dealing as they grow older. In fact, individuals involved with the justice system show significantly higher rates of ADHD than appear in the community. When this risk factor is identified in adolescents already involved with the justice system, it is especially important to help manage and treat ADHD so they can avoid additional behaviors that lead to further incarceration.

This information is available at this link: http://www.ncchc.org/new-guideline-addresses-management-of-adolescent-adhd-in-correctional-settings

New Resource Center on Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Established

The National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice at Policy Research Associates is pleased to announce the official launch of its new online Resource Center. The Mental Health and Juvenile Justice Collaborative for Change is one of four new Resource Centers supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation as part of the new Models for Change Resource Center Partnership. 
 
Webinar to Discuss Isolation Practices with Vulnerable Populations

On January 22, 2014, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in collaboration with the National Center for Youth in Custody (NCYC) will present "Isolation Practices With Vulnerable Populations: Impact and Alternatives," the first Webinar in the series "Improving Conditions of Confinement for Vulnerable Populations." While isolation is harmful and traumatic for any youth, it can be particularly traumatic for youth with disabilities and for youth who have experienced physical, sexual, or other forms of abuse. This Webinar will look at the impact of isolation practices on these vulnerable populations and identify appropriate alternatives being implemented in several jurisdictions.

Webinar To Discuss Co-Occurrence of Animal Abuse and Child Abuse

On January 28, 2014, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. ET, OJJDP, in collaboration with the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), will present "When the Abuse of Animals Co-Occurs With Child Abuse." Animal abuse is often a symptom of other violence in the home, and children who witness it may engage in aggressive behavior toward people and animals. This Webinar will focus on the link between animal cruelty and child abuse and highlight intervention strategies, including team responses, talking with children about their experiences with animals, animal-assisted activities to help maltreated children who have witnessed animal abuse, and programs to assist family members with animals to flee abusive homes and find safety.

Resources:

Register for this free Webinar.

Vera Institute To Examine Impact of Family Visitation on Detained Youth

Exploratory research by the Vera Institute of Justice (Vera) suggests that increased family visitation is associated with better educational outcomes and behavior in incarcerated youth. With funds from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Vera will conduct a 2-year study of the effect of expanded family visitation policies and practices on youth during confinement in Indiana Department of Correction, Division of Youth Services (DYS) facilities and reentry into their communities. This research will inform juvenile justice leaders of ways to keep incarcerated young people and their families connected and how to improve youth's long-term outcomes and lower their recidivism rates.

Resources:

Read about Vera's pilot project on family engagement standards with the Indiana DYS.

AMBER Alerts Now Available on Twitter

On January 13, 2014, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) announced the launch of an AMBER Alert Twitter account to allow 49 million users nationwide to receive AMBER Alerts using the handle @AMBERAlert. This announcement comes on AMBER Alert Awareness Day, which recognizes the AMBER Alert program of urgent bulletins to assist in the search for and rescue of abducted children. The alerts are distributed by media, transportation agencies, the wireless industry, Internet service providers, the trucking industry, and others. OJJDP administers the national training and technical assistance program, which expands and enhances the national AMBER Alert network; increases and improves law enforcement response to missing, endangered, and abducted children; creates greater community capacity in understanding broader issues related to exploitation and abuse of children; and enhances public participation in the recovery of missing, endangered, and abducted children. To that end, OJJDP works closely with NCMEC and other key partners.

Preparing for SPEP: Creating and Understanding Logic Models for Juvenile Justice Programs

January 24, 2014 at 11:00 am

This webinar, presented by EPISCenter staff, will provide a basic overview of how logic models can be used by providers to help prepare for the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol process. Logic models can help providers clearly communicate the services they offer and how those services are expected to influence youth behavior and outcomes. Logic models can be helpful for focusing provider activities and for providing some structure for the SPEP interview. Join this webinar to learn more about how to use logic models for enhanced program delivery.

Register Now: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eOHwMEvgtkj6UHr

The EPISCenter is funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the Department of Public Welfare. This email list-serve provides information of general interest to the field of prevention research, practice, and policy. Learn more at www.episcenter.psu.edu.