Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence s5

JOHNS HOPKINS CENTER FOR THE PREVENTION OF YOUTH VIOLENCE: WAGING PEACE ITEMS OF INTEREST

April 23, 2008

Of Special Note

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS OR ACTIVITIES THAT OTHERS INTERESTED IN REDUCING YOUTH VIOLENCE SHOULD KNOW? PLEASE SEND INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE INCLUDED IN OUR ITEMS OF INTEREST TO [email protected].

 Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland launches Maryland Community Services Locator Website (MDCSL). With funding from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention (GOCCP), CESAR has created a new community services locator website. The Maryland Community Services Locator (MDCSL) website was created to help Maryland service providers and the general public more easily access local programs and resources. This website helps users quickly find detailed resource listings for a variety of services, including maps and directions to program sites, using a single website. The current website includes listings of substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meeting lists, Buprenorphine certified physicians, short-term housing services (such as drop-in centers and shelters), job readiness resources, HIV/AIDS resources, parole and probation offices, public schools, and victim services, searchable by proximity to a given address. In the future, the MDCSL’s program service listings will be expanded to include other community services, including health/mental health services, emergency food assistance, family assistance programs and more! We invite you to visit the MDCSL beta website at: http://www.mdcsl.org. For more information, contact the University of Maryland by email ([email protected]) or phone (301-405-9796).

 At the Fourth Annual Regional Conference on Afterschool on May 8 and 9, 2008 in Baltimore, over 30 different workshops and institutes will take place over the two days, allowing attendees to hear about best practices and promising ideas from a variety of sources. Workshop and institute topics include how to create effective programs for older youth, how to relate to older youth, how to include health in after-school programs, and how to recruit and retain at-risk youth. Dr. Nancy Grasmick will speak at the opening session on May 8, followed by a panel discussion on Education Policy, and a spoken-word youth performance. Panelists include Dr. Toks Fashola, Dr. Ivory Toldson, and Dr. Jane Sundius. The opening session on May 9 will feature a youth performance by the Baltimore Urban Debate League, and a panel discussion on Youth and Youth Workers. This panel will feature youth from Baltimore as well as several other cities, sharing their perspective on after-school programming. City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will speak at the closing session on May 9, followed by a panel discussion with national funders. Panelists will be from The After-School Corporation, Atlantic Philanthropies, the Mott Foundation (not yet confirmed), the Wallace Foundation, the US Department of Education, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Prudential. Registation deadline is quickly approaching so register as soon as possible via our website, www.afterschoolinstitute.org.

 “Breaking the Cycle” Radio Dialogue. Sunday, April 27, 2008 2:00-4:00 p.m. Brother Bey, the founder of the Fraternal Order of X-Offenders (F.O.X.O), hosts a weekly radio show on W.O.L.B (1010 am) that presents community-based, ex-offender driven efforts in Baltimore and elsewhere that are helping to break the cycle of violence. The primary focus of the F.O.X.O.’s “Breaking The Cycle” Radio Dialogue is to extend discussion, increase consideration of community-driven alternatives, and initiate and expand the collective action needed to deter, decrease and prevent the pandemic of juvenile delinquency and adult criminality gripping Baltimore and many other communities. The radio show provides a voice to those attempting to change their thinking and behaviors, informing ex-offenders, their families, and others of opportunities, increasing access to strategies that work, and exposing those that don’t. You are invited to call in to the radio program at 410-481-1010. To learn more about FOXO, visit their website at http://www.foxo.org/ , email: [email protected] and [email protected] or call 410- 262-4456.

 On January 11, 2008 Mayor Dixon was at 4601 Park Heights Ave along with representatives from the Prisoner’s Aid Association of Maryland (PAA) and the Fraternal Order of X- Offenders (F.O.X.O.) to officially open the doors of Project P.E.A.C.E. (Proper Education Always Corrects Errors), a collaboration between PAA and F.O.X.O. that will connect thousands of ex-offenders each year to services provided in its crime prevention and recidivism avoidance program. The P.E.A.C.E. program, developed and implemented by ex- offenders, connects other ex-offenders with needed resources and uses the power of peer influence to facilitate the cognitive restructuring and personal supports needed for successful re-integration. “In order to truly make Baltimore safer, we need to help ex-offenders become productive citizens,” Mayor Sheila Dixon said. “Project P.E.A.C.E. is going to help a lot of people fulfill their potential and make meaningful contributions to those around them.”

The P.E.A.C.E. program addresses a variety of social and behavioral issues confronting ex- offenders, including: short term and long term housing, emergency shelter, transitional housing, substance abuse, parenting, GED services, employment and job placement, financial literacy and HIV/AIDS information and education. In addition to the 12-Step Lifeskills Workshops and services such as emergency shelter, transitional housing, and linkage to other services, the P.E.A.C.E. project provides individual supports from individuals who have turned around their lives and who serve as mentors and positive role models. For additional information or referrals, call Project P.E.A.C.E. at 410 367-8393 or Brother Bey at 410 262-4456.

Quick Glance at this week’s Items of Interest

New Events/Conferences/Trainings 1. Baltimore, MD: Fourth Annual Eastern Regional Conference on After-School. May 8-9, 2008 2. Wilmington, DE: The 2008 Nemours Conference on Child Health Promotion: Advocacy, Policy, and Progress in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity. October 23-24, 2008

Up-Coming Events/Conference/Trainings 3. Global Youth Service Day. April 25-27, 2008 4. Washington, DC: Investing in Our Children: Emerging Reforms in Juvenile Justice. April 25-29, 2008. 5. Baltimore, MD: SOURCE Tri-School Day of Service. April 26, 2008 6. Denver, CO: Evaluating Your Truancy Reduction Program. April 28-29, 2008 7. Philadelphia, PA: National Forum on Children, Families and the Courts: Planning for the Future. April 29-May 2, 2008. 8. Portland, OR: Coalition for Community Schools National Forum 2008. April 30 – May 2, 2008 9. Baltimore, MD: Kids On The Hill Sounds of Hope and Change. May 4, 2008

Noteworthy 10. Open Society Institute – Baltimore: Audacious Ideas. 11. Georgetown Program Trains for Greater Impact in Juvenile Justice.

Reports, Research & Recent Publications 12. Current-Generation Youth Programs What Works, What Doesn't, and at What Cost? 13. A list of recent publications compiled by SafetyLit. 14. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2005.

Resources 15. Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements. 16. GrantCraft’s Evaluation Technique Series.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) 17. Reston, VA: 2008 Education Conference: Evidence-Based Practice, Scientifically-Based Instruction, and Educational Effectiveness. September 5-7, 2008 18. Ellicott City, MD: 2008 Maryland PBIS Summer Institute. July 21-25, 2008. 19. PBIS Maryland Events

Funding Opportunities/Scholarships/Awards 20. World of Children 2008 Humanitarian Award 21. Project LAUNCH – A New Grant Program Promoting the Mental and Physical Wellness of Young Children.

For Youth 22. World of Children 2008 Founder's Award for Youth 23. 2008 Student/Newspaper Partnership.

Job & Volunteer Opportunities 24. Baltimore, MD: The Baltimore Community Child Health Network (CCHN) – Project Director/Field Coordinator. 25. New York: Director of Juvenile Justice Project: Correctional Association of New York

Previously Posted Events/Conferences/Training

New Events/Conferences/Training

1. Baltimore, MD: Fourth Annual Eastern Regional Conference on After-School. May 8-9, 2008 at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, 100 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore 21201. Sponsored by The After-School Institute and Maryland After-School Partnership. To improve the quality of after-school programs in the Eastern Region of the United States, the 2008 Regional Conference will focus on the following areas: Embedding Core Academic Content in Enrichment Activities; Promoting Policy and Practices to Create Capacity, Partnerships & Sustainability; Integrating Youth Development Principles; Merging Research & Practice to Improve Quality, and Showcasing Programs in the Region. More information at http://www.afterschoolinstitute.org/tasi/conference/default.aspx

2. Wilmington, DE: The 2008 Nemours Conference on Child Health Promotion: Advocacy, Policy, and Progress in the Fight Against Childhood Obesity. October 23-24, 2008. Nemours Health & Prevention Services is bringing together regional and national leaders who are making policy work to create healthier environments and programs for children and families. More information at http://www.nemours.org/department/nhps/annual-conference.html.

Upcoming Events/Conferences/Training 3. Global Youth Service Day. April 25-27, 2008. Global Youth Service Day is the largest annual celebration of young volunteers, where millions of young people in countries everywhere highlight and carry out thousands of community improvement projects. Learn more at http://www.gysd.net/home/index.html?width=1440

4. Washington, DC: Investing in Our Children: Emerging Reforms in Juvenile Justice. April 25-29, 2008. Learn about emerging reform efforts in juvenile justice. The conference will emphasize significant juvenile justice and delinquency prevention reform efforts at the local, state and federal government level, as well as models of public/private partnerships to enhance systems of care. http://www.juvjustice.org/conference_5.html

5. Baltimore, MD: SOURCE Tri-School Day of Service. April 26, 2008. The Johns Hopkins University SOURCE announces its Spring Tri-School Day of Service. Join students, faculty and staff from all three Schools (SOM, SON, JHSPH) at one of several sites throughout Baltimore for a day of community service! Stay tuned for upcoming information on service projects for the day and information on how to sign up! This event is co-sponsored by: SOM InterAction, SON SGA, and the JHSPH Student Assembly Community Affairs Committee. The Day of Service is a part of National Volunteer Week Activities (April 26 – May 3). http://www.jhsph.edu/source

6. Denver, CO: Evaluating Your Truancy Reduction Program. April 28-29, 2008. The National Center for School Engagement will conduct the training course Evaluating Your Truancy Reduction Program. Designed for persons responsible for school, court, and community-based truancy reduction programs, this interactive course is drawn from practical training experience, lessons learned about truancy reduction, and expertise in research. More information and registration at http://www.coloradofoundation.org/truancyevent.asp

7. Philadelphia, PA: National Forum on Children, Families and the Courts: Planning for the Future. April 29-May 2, 2008. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, in conjunction with the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, will conduct the National Forum on Children, Families and the Courts: Planning for the Future. Faculty will discuss the latest research findings and provide training to assist judges and other professionals who work with children and families involved with court proceedings. Courses will focus on pragmatic, practice-based tools that assist in the management of complex juvenile and family law issues. More information http://www.ncjfcj.org/content/view/1070/315/

8. Portland, OR: Coalition for Community Schools National Forum 2008. April 30 – May 2, 2008. The Coalition for Community Schools is an alliance of national, state and local organizations in education K- 16, youth development, community planning and development, family support, health and human services, government and philanthropy as well as national, state and local community school networks. The Coalition advocates for community schools as the vehicle for strengthening schools, families and communities so that together they can improve student learning. http://www.communityschools.org/

9. Baltimore, MD: Kids On The Hill Sounds of Hope and Change. May 4, 2008, 2:00pm at Beth Am Synagogue, 2501 Eutaw Place, Baltimore. Come hear the fabulous sounds of the soulful Lea Gilmore, croon to Charm City Klezmer, jam to Korean drumming and experience the flow and funk of beat box performer Shodekeh. Also featuring the charismatic Joyce J. Scott as our queen of inspiration and mistress of ceremonies. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children under 14. Join for brunch before the concert from 11 am – 1:30 pm at 2412 Madison Avenue, cost $100 (includes priority seating for the concert). For more information, contact: Rebecca Yenawine [email protected]. For more information about Kids on the Hill, visit SOURCE’s webpage: http://www.jhsph.edu/source/VolunteerAgencies/YouthOrgs/KidsOnHill

10. Open Society Institute – Baltimore: Audacious Ideas. This week, Maria Broom, a dancer and actress, well known for her role in “The Wire”, shares her audacious idea on how to engage young people in thoughtful learning and thoughtful behavior. To read her idea and participate in the discussion, visit www.audaciousideas.org.

11. Georgetown Program Trains for Greater Impact in Juvenile Justice. A new program at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute is designed to provide intensive study for leaders responsible for policy development and implementation in their jurisdictions in order to enhance systems integration and build a strong cadre of public agency leaders supportive of juvenile justice reform and better outcomes for young people. For more information on the Certificate Program: Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Multi-jurisdictional Teams, visit http://cjjr.georgetown.edu/pdfs/cpbscsummary.pdf. [source: Human Service Newsbytes, April 14, 2008 http://cjjr.georgetown.edu/]

REPORTS, RESEARCH & RECENT PUBLICATIONS

12. Current-Generation Youth Programs What Works, What Doesn't, and at What Cost? Policymakers nationwide must decide how to best invest in education and related opportunities, such as out-of- school-time programs targeting youth and early-childhood education programs. This publication by RAND reviews the costs, benefits, and costs and benefits relative to one another for one alternative type of investment: youth programs that are offered during the time that students are not in school. Such programs are often viewed as a mechanism for addressing working parents’ needs for care of their school-age children, for improving the developmental outcomes of youth, and for reducing the gap in academic achievement between advantaged youth and disadvantaged youth. http://www.rand.org/pubs/occasional_papers/OP215/

13. A list of recent publications compiled by SafetyLit. April 21, 2008. Volume 16, Number 14. SafetyLit is a free service of the Center for Injury Prevention Policy and Practice at San Diego State University in collaboration with the World Health Organization. Abstracts available at http://www.safetylit.org/citations/index.php?fuseaction=citations.home A framework for community mobilization to promote healthy youth development. Watson- Thompson J, Fawcett SB, Schultz JA. Am J Prev Med 2008; 34(3 Suppl): S72-81.

An ethnic-studies model of community mobilization: collaborative partnership with a high- risk public high school. Sobredo J, Kim-Ju G, Figueroa J, Mark GY, Fabionar J. Am J Prev Med 2008; 34(3): S82-8.

Asian/Pacific islander youth violence prevention center: community mobilization efforts to reduce and prevent youth violence. Lai MH. Am J Prev Med 2008; 34(3 Suppl): S48-55.

Child Maltreatment Profiles and Adjustment Problems in High-Risk Adolescents. Hazen AL, Connelly CD, Roesch SC, Hough RL, Landsverk JA. J Interpers Violence 2008; ePub Community mobilization and its application to youth violence prevention. Kim-Ju G, Mark GY, Cohen R, Garcia-Santiago O, Nguyen P. Am J Prev Med 2008; 34(3): S5-S12.

Community mobilization to prevent youth violence and to create safer communities. David- Ferdon C, Hammond WR. Am J Prev Med 2008; 34(3): S1-2.

Developmental trajectories of bullying and associated factors. Pepler D, Jiang D, Craig W, Connolly J. Child Dev 2008; 79(2): 325-38. Suicide ideation among later elementary school-aged youth. Riesch SK, Jacobson G, Sawdey L, Anderson J, Henriques J. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs 2008; 15(4): 263-77.

14. Surveillance for Violent Deaths — National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2005. This report summarizes data on nearly 16,000 violent deaths occurring in 16 states. Findings show the majority of violent deaths included in the report were suicides (56 percent). More information at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/. [source: SPRC: The Weekly Spark, April 16, 2008 http://www.sprc.org/]

15. Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements. The purpose of the child maltreatment uniform definitions and recommended data elements is to present a definition of child maltreatment, its associated terms, and recommended data elements for voluntary use by individuals and organizations in the public health community. The definitions and data elements are intended to promote and improve consistency of child maltreatment surveillance for public health practices. It is designed to be used by state and local health department staff to assist in and provide a framework for the collection of public health surveillance data on child maltreatment. Full text available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/CMP/CMP-Surveillance.htm.

16. GrantCraft’s Evaluation Technique Series. To help grant makers understand some of these newer evaluative approaches and weigh their advantages, GrantCraft is developing a collection of briefing notes. Each note will explain the basics of one technique and answer some common questions about its use. View current available resources at http://www.grantcraft.org/index.cfm? fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=742. [source: CFK Weekly, April 16, 2008 http://www.connectforkids.org/]

POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS (PBIS)

17. Reston, VA: 2008 Education Conference: Evidence-Based Practice, Scientifically-Based Instruction, and Educational Effectiveness. September 5-7, 2008. The 2008 ABA International Education Conference is a two-day, primarily single-track conference on evidence-based education focusing on research and applied issues. This event will address the current state of knowledge of evidence-based practices at the policy, evaluation, and practice levels. More information at http://www.abainternational.org/educonf/index.asp

18. Ellicott City, MD: 2008 Maryland PBIS Summer Institute. July 21-25, 2008. The PBIS Maryland Coaches and New Team Training will be held July 21-28 at Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center. For more information, visit http://www.pbismaryland.org/SI2008/2008SummerInstituteNew.htm icott

19. PBIS Maryland Events http://www.pbismaryland.org/ Special/Alternative Schools Spring Forum – April 16, 2008 State Leadership Meeting – April 17, 2008 Training of Trainers – May 27-29, 2008 State Leadership Meeting – June 12, 2008 Western Region Returning Team Training – June 24, 2008 Upper Chesapeake Returning Team Training – June 26-27, 2008 Baltimore County Returning Team Training, July 16-17, 2008 Central 2 Returning Team Training - July 16-17, 2008 Back To Top

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

20. World of Children 2008 Humanitarian Award. The World of Children Awards program was created to recognize and elevate those selfless individuals who make a difference in the lives of children across the globe, regardless of political, religious or geographical boundaries. These courageous leaders recognize that our children are the world's most important asset, so they have established programs that profoundly support children in need. The Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to children in the areas of social services, education or humanitarian services. Nominee must have created, managed or otherwise supported a sustainable program which has significantly contributed to children's opportunities to be safe, to learn, and to grow. Deadline: April 30, 2008. More information at http://www.worldofchildren.org/Awards.htm.

21. Project LAUNCH – A New Grant Program Promoting the Mental and Physical Wellness of Young Children. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is soliciting applications for Project LAUNCH (Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health), a new grant program designed to promote the physical, emotional, social, and behavioral health of young children, birth to 8 years of age. A wide range of early childhood service programs can be provided through Project LAUNCH grants including mental health consultation to promote more effective child care and early education programs, parenting skills training and other family support services. States receiving these grants will fund local providers of these services. Full announcement at http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2008/sm_08_011.aspx.

FOR YOUTH

22. World of Children 2008 Founder's Award for Youth recognizes youth that are making extraordinary contributions to the lives of other children. Nominees must be under the age of 21 and have an existing non-profit organization in good standing that can receive grant funds if awarded. Deadline: April 30, 2008. http://www.worldofchildren.org/Awards.htm [source: PEN Weekly NewsBlast, April 18, 2008 http://www.publiceducation.org/ ]

23. 2008 Student/Newspaper Partnership. The Newspaper Association of America Foundation 2008 Student/Newspaper Partnership encourages middle and high schools to partner with professional newspapers in their communities and seek funding to start, re-launch or revitalize student newspapers, whether online or in print. Deadline: May 16, 2008. More information at http://www.naafoundation.org/Home/NAAFoundation/ScholasticPress/PartnershipGrants.aspx [source: PEN Weekly NewsBlast, April 18, 2008 http://www.publiceducation.org/ ]

JOB AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

24. Baltimore, MD: The Baltimore Community Child Health Network (CCHN) - Project Director/Field Coordinator. The Baltimore Community Child Health Network (CCHN) is a community-university partnered research project that is part of a national multi-site network. The Project Director (PD) for Baltimore’s site will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the field research; supervising the recruiters and interviewers; monitoring monthly recruitment numbers and sample retention of subjects; and will fill-in for the recruiters/interviewers in their absence. Must have a Masters degree in Public Health, Social Work or Nursing; minimum of 2 years research experience and program development experience. Interested persons can contact Maxine Reed-Vance ([email protected]) for more information and a detailed job description. [source: SOURCE Weekly Service Scoop, April 15, 2008 http://www.jhsph.edu/source]

25. New York: Director of Juvenile Justice Project: Correctional Association of New York. The Correctional Association of New York operates primarily as a research, public education and policy advocacy organization, and is the only private organization in New York with the legislative authority to visit prisons and report its findings to policymakers. The main goals of the Juvenile Justice Project are to reduce youth incarceration and promote more fair and effective juvenile justice policies. The Director of the project will oversee and carry out the project’s principal activities and must have research, policy analysis, writing and communication skills. Call 212-254-5700 for more information. [source: NJJN-Announce E-Newsletter, April 17, 2008 http://www.njjn.org/]

PREVIOUSLY POSTED EVENTS, CONFERENCES, & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Baltimore, MD: Baltimore City Public Schools Parent and Community Advisory Board Meeting Agenda. The Parent and Community Advisory Board (PCAB) was established to advise the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. PCAB supports parent involvement by helping to facilitate the flow of information from parents and community to the Board of School Commissioners, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and BCPSS administrators. PCAB is knowledgeable and informed about BCPSS policies, operations, and student data. The Board also helps to organize parent and community members to have an effective voice with the Board of School Commissioners. PCAB meetings are conducted in an open and public setting. During these public board meetings, time is set aside to accept public comment. Please support the work of The Parent and Community Advisory Board (PCAB) through your attendance at their board meetings, parent engagement is important to the success of the education of our children. All meetings begin promptly at 6:30pm, 1st Floor Board Room / BCPSS 200 E. North Ave., Baltimore. The remaining meeting dates are as follows: May 26, 2008; June 9, 2008; June 22, 2008; July 09, 2008

Adelphi, MD & Washington, DC: 8th Annual Jerry Lee Crime Prevention Symposium – Systematic Evidence on What Works in Crime and Justice. May 5-6, 2008. The first day will at 1:00 p.m. at the University of Maryland Inn & Conference Center, located in Adelphi, Maryland. The focus of this portion of the Symposium is on methodological issues of random assignment and meta-analysis. It will include five presentations addressing the methodological issues of evidence, evaluation, and systematic reviews. The second day will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Washington, DC. The focus of this portion of the Symposium is on presentations of research results on two key criminal justice topics—second responder programs for family abuse and early childhood family programs. Presentations will be followed by reactions from panels of leading practitioners and policymakers. The second day also features a roundtable discussion pertaining to advancing evidence-based policy. Further details and online registration at http://www.ccjs.umd.edu/ccjg/.

Washington, DC: White House Summit on Youth Drug Prevention. May 7, 2008, 1:00 – 5:00pm in the 5th Floor Conference room of 750 17th Street, NW in Washington, DC 20503. This is a free summit that will be held at the Office of National Drug Control Policy to share information about Random Student Drug Testing - a viable prevention and intervention approach to reduce substance abuse among youth. Local and national experts will present and answer questions on Legal Concerns, Policy Development, and funding sources. You are welcomed to bring several representatives of your school community. To register to attend, please send an email to [email protected], or call 202-395-6750.

Arlington, VA: Social Services Performance Summit. May 7-9, 2008. Learn how to implement measures to improve your agency’s effectiveness and service delivery. More information and registration at http://www.performanceweb.org/CENTERS/SP/Events/S300/. National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: One Day May Voices. May 8, 2008. Awareness Day raises awareness of effective programs for children's mental health needs, demonstrates how children's mental health initiatives promote positive youth development, recovery and resilience, and shows how children with mental health needs thrive in their communities. The theme for this year's national event is Thriving in the Community, with a special emphasis on high school youth who receive the services they need are more likely to have positive outcomes such as better grades and higher rates of education and less likely to have negative outcomes such as involvement with the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Consider holding an event to build awareness of children’s mental health needs and to promote the progress being made toward developing effective strategies to address these needs. More information at http://systemsofcare.samhsa.gov/nationalawareness/materials.aspx

Baltimore, MD: Fourth Annual Eastern Regional Conference on After-School. May 8-9, 2008 at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel, 100 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore 21201. Sponsored by The After- School Institute and Maryland After-School Partnership. To improve the quality of after-school programs in the Eastern Region of the United States, the 2008 Regional Conference will focus on the following areas: Embedding Core Academic Content in Enrichment Activities; Promoting Policy and Practices to Create Capacity, Partnerships & Sustainability; Integrating Youth Development Principles; Merging Research & Practice to Improve Quality, and Showcasing Programs in the Region. More information at http://www.afterschoolinstitute.org/tasi/conference/default.aspx

Bethesda, MD: Accelerating the Dissemination and Translation of Clinical Research into Practice. May 9, 2008. This is the first in a series of workshops to discuss and share best practices and ways in which researchers can partner with community health care providers to translate clinical research into practice. Participants will develop recommendations for academic-community collaborations and partnerships with other community programs to better facilitate translating science into community-based practice. More information and registration at http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/news_&_events/upcoming_events/index.asp#05_09_2008.

Baltimore, MD: Maps on Purpose Seminar. May 10, 2008, 11:00am – 3:00pm at the Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore. Come for a gathering of neighborhood leaders and stakeholders to discover, explore, and brainstorm the many ways mapping and community knowledge can help build connectivity in Baltimore. This event is free; registration is required. For more information or to register, call (410) 243-4750 or visit www.artonpurpose.org

Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins 58th Institute for Spirituality and Medicine: Violence and the Challenge of Healing in Our Communities. May 12-14, 2008. This conference will address the topic of violence as a public health problem through a theological and social ecology lens. The conference will give attendees information about violence and peacemaking as well as concrete, practical interventions and programs with proven success. Speakers will share conceptual frameworks and personal experiences of Violence and Healing in Our Communities. More information at http://www.hopkinscme.edu/CourseDetail.aspx?course_code=80018650

Washington, DC: 7th Annual Afterschool for All Challenge. May 13-14, 2008. The Afterschool for All Challenge will bring together afterschool staff, administrators, advocates and youth from all over the country. Further information at http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/challenge_2008.cfm.

Aurora, CO: The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) Correctional Leadership Development training program. May 13-23, 2008. The 70-hour blended delivery course is intended for juvenile justice senior-level leaders, such as facility superintendents, juvenile detention facility superintendents, and senior probation and parole supervisors. Deputies of these leaders will be considered if recommended by their chief executive officer. There is no registration fee for this training, and the cost of air travel, lodging, and meals are also covered for selected participants. The application deadline is March 7, 2008. To access additional information about the OJJDP/NIC Correctional Leadership Development training program, including an application form, visit http://community.nicic.org/blogs/training/archive/2008/02/11/juvenile-justice-leadership-training- opportunity-now-available.aspx.

Milwaukee, WI: Prevent Child Abuse America 2008 National Conference. May 19-22, 2008. This conference is focused specifically on the prevention of child abuse and neglect through a variety of strategies including home visitation, research, parent education, public policy and advocacy, parent leadership, and integrated services for family support. More information http://www.preventchildabuse.org/events/conference/index.shtml.

Portland, OR: The National Center for Victims of Crime 2008 National Conference, "Responses, Rights, and Resources for Crime Victims." June 2-4, 2008. Conference will feature more than 130 leading experts and 70 skill-building workshops on a wide range of issues for those supporting victims of crime. Among those are workshops that focus on several aspects of the trauma of victimization. Featured Workshops on Child and Young Adult Victims: When Authorities Fail to Investigate Child Abuse Allegations; Death is Not Like Sleeping: Talking to Children about Living and Dying; Cyberspace Safety: Online Social Network and Second Life; "Snitches Get Stitches": Youth, Gangs, and Witness Intimidation; Child Molesters, Rapists, and Other Sex Offenders: Who They Are and How They Operate; Engaging Our Youth. For more information on these and other workshops, our plenary speakers, and registration, visit the conference Web page http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx? dbID=DB_Training_Institute1160

Washington, DC: Mental Health America 2008 Annual Conference & National Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Summit. June 4-7, 2008. More information at http://www.nmha.org/go/conference/

Ocean City, MD: Middle Atlantic States Correctional Association (MASCA) 2008 Conference “The Overflow of Corrections: The Road to Re-Entry and Reunification”. June 8-11, 2008. The goal of the conference is to provide high quality training through speakers and workshops on topics of interest to the MASCA membership, which is comprised of adult and juvenile probation agents, state prison and local detention center officers and case managers, and pretrial detention/supervision officers and case managers. http://masca.corrections.com/.

Atlanta, GA: Youth Gang Symposium. June 23–26, 2008. The OJJDP Youth Gang Symposium will be held in Atlanta, GA. The theme is “Partnering to Prevent Gang Violence: From Faith-Based and Community Organizations to Law Enforcement.” The conference will feature focused workshops to enhance efforts by law enforcement, school personnel, faith-based and community organizations, policymakers, youth serving agencies, and others who are working together to combat youth gang issues. More information at http://www.gangsymposium.org/.

Los Angeles, CA: National Assembly of School-Based Health Centers Annual Conference. June 26- 28, 2008. Interdisciplinary professional education and networking with school-based health center colleagues from across the country. For more information, please visit http://www.nasbhc.org/site/c.jsJPKWPFJrH/b.2708163/.

Denver, CO: National Area Health Education Center Organization 2008 Conference: Moving Mountains to Overcome Health Disparities. June 28-July1, 2008. For more information, please visit http://www.nationalahec.org/home/index.asp.

Nashville, TN: National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health: Training Institutes on Local Systems of Care. July 16-20, 2008. The intent of the Institutes is to provide in-depth, practical information on how to develop, operate, and sustain systems of care and how to provide high- quality, effective clinical interventions and supports within them. For more information, visit http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/TrainingInstitutes/index2.html. Arlington, VA: The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Conference 2008. July 21–23, 2008. Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice (NIJ) will hold its annual conference. The conference will bring together criminal justice scholars, policymakers, and practitioners at the local, state, and federal levels to share the latest research findings and technology. This year's conference includes a panel on youth gang research and best practices organized by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Other panel topics include commercial sexual exploitation of children, school-based prevention programs, and bullying. More information and registration at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/events/nij_conference/welcome.htm.

Chicago, IL: "Sustainable Schoolwide Social and Emotional Learning" Training. July 24-25, 2008 and August 14-15, 2008. These workshops are designed to equip school administrators and their teams with the tools and skills needed to implement high quality, sustainable, evidence-based social and emotional learning programming that is integrated into all aspects of schooling. If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please visit CASEL's website at www.casel.org to download the registration form.

New Orleans, LA: National Conference on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention. August 26-28, 2008. More information at http://www.nationalcac.org/professionals/index.php? option=com_content&task=view&id=122&Itemid=118.

Baltimore, MD: National Healthy Homes Festival. September 12-14, 2008 at Druid Hill Park. This event will bring together national and local community partners, lead and asthma prevention programs, Healthy Homes organizations, health, housing, and environmental agencies, local universities, federal, state, and city agencies, and the citizens of Baltimore in an effort to promote the benefits of Healthy Homes. If you have questions regarding the National Healthy Homes Festival, please contact Michelle LeDonne, at 410-534-6447 or [email protected].

Indianapolis, IN: The International Bullying Prevention Association is pleased to present our 5th Annual Conference: Best Practices in Bullying and Violence Prevention. November 6-8, 2008 The conference will be co-sponsored by the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy and the Indiana Department of Education. The conference is designed for school guidance counselors, administrators, teachers, school health educators, school social workers, school psychologists, school safety specialists, Safe and Drug-Free Coordinators, school resource officers (SRO's), school attorneys, and law enforcement working with youth, student service directors, PTA/PTO members, children and family mental health counselors, school nurses, school board members, parents, extended day/after school staff, prevention specialists, etc. This conference also welcomes college students. http://www.stopbullyingworld.org/ and http://www.doe.state.in.us/isssa/ .

Denver, CO: Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting. April 2-4, 2009. In response to overwhelming requests from membership and meeting attendees, SRCD is moving to a new Biennial Meeting schedule. http://www.srcd.org/biennial.html

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