ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH

Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission 2008/2009 Report

Governor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families Division for Community and Youth Development

June 2009

Name of Report Goes Here

Copyright © 2009 by State of Arizona

All rights reserved. Permission is given to reproduce this report, in whole or in part, for educational or personal use, provided such copies are not disseminated for profit and each copy bears the statement, “Copyright © 2009 by State of Arizona. All rights reserved. Used with permission.”

Published June 2009

For additional copies of this report contact: Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families 1700 W. Washington Street, Suite 101 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542‐3422 www.gocyf.az.gov ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This report would not have been possible without the support of the following individuals.

G OVERNOR’ S YOUTH COMMISSION GOVERNOR’S OFFICE FOR CHILDREN, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE YOUTH & FAMILIES Cassandra Larsen, Director Andres Cano, Chair Tammy Paz-Combs, Director City High School Division for Community and Youth Development Christopher Bodington Natalie Lucas, Vice Chair Smitha Ramakrishna Youth Development Program Administrator, CYD Sinagua High School Corona del Sol High School Melissa Lempke, Director Andrew Conlogue Abby Wells Community Relations Buena High School Mesa High School

C OMMISSIONERS

Alexis McKenzie Diarra Anderson Victor De La Cerda Courtney Rothwell Veritas Preparatory Academy Hamilton High School Casa Grande Union High School Thunderbird High School

Amber McKenzie Ariana Balderaz Katie Jaffe Shantanu Bala Nogales High School Desert Mountain High School Red Mountain High School Barry Goldwater High School

Sabra Nuel Dominic Chen Courtney Nash Valeria Lopez Central High School Desert Vista High School Mogollon High School Westwood High School

Hannah Nunez Ashlee Day Matthew Prusak Basil Latif Copper Canyon High School The Scholars’ Academy Phoenix Country Day Phoenix Country Day

Sarah Poplin Alexis Gomm David Reynolds Pranav Kelkar BASIS Scottsdale Sahuarita High School McClintock High School Barry Goldwater High School Casey Rice Hannah Hunter Alison Goulder Brophy College Preparatory Bagdad High School Xavier College Preparatory

Nilo Thomas Patrick McNeel Carl Hayden High School Flagstaff High School

Zayd Ahmed John Owens Brophy College Preparatory Desert Mountain High School

Muhammad Seedat Debbie Robles Mesquite High School Arizona School for the Arts

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 1

Dear Governor Brewer, Policy Makers, and Community Members:

Arizona is fortunate to have an advising body like the Governor's Youth Commission. Far too often youth voice has been underestimated and pushed aside. But the State of Arizona is unique. You believe in our younger population, and have given us the opportunity to voice our perspectives.

The GYC does not take this responsibility lightly; we must hold up to our mission and provide you with effective recom‐ mendations. In the following report, Addressing the Issues of Today's Youth, we hope you gain in‐ sight on what teens throughout this state are thinking.

The challenges of our time are great. It is crucial for all stake‐ holders to collaborate and make sure our teens live in a healthy, productive Arizona. This report is a step forward.

Yours Very Truly,

Andres Cano, Chair Natalie Lucas, Vice Chair Governor’s Youth Commission Governor’s Youth Commission

PAGE 2 ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH Governor's Youth Commission 2008/2009

The Governor’s Youth Commission (GYC) was originally created in 1989 as the Governor’s Youth Commission Against Drugs. The GYC’s responsibilities have expanded from year to year, focusing on such areas as volunteerism, service-learning, leadership, civic engagement, and substance abuse prevention.

Currently, the purpose of the GYC is to advise the Governor and the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families on issues affecting youth in Arizona. The mission of the GYC is to promote youth volunteerism and service learning, to increase awareness of community issues, and to enhance civic participation.

GYC membership is determined through a competitive application process each year. The GYC is comprised of 35 youth who must be a sophomore, junior or senior in high school. Currently, the members represent 10 of Arizona’s 15 counties and 31 schools around the state.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Based on findings from the 2007 Children’s Cabinet report titled, Arizona’s Results for Children and Youth, Governor’s Youth Commission members adopted several focus areas for 2008-09 to further research and make recommendations.

Committees were created for the following areas:

Committee for Juvenile Justice and Substance Abuse Prevention Committee on Youth Experiencing Homelessness Committee to Prevent Domestic Violence Committee on Education

Over the past 12 months, commissioners conducted extensive research using online resources, periodicals, and interviews with experts in the field. Using these sources, members of each committee developed recommendations they feel will help meet the diverse needs of Arizona’s youth.

In total, 70 individuals, including youth, case managers, state employ- ees, victims, and an attorney were interviewed. Seventy-three online resources, periodicals and scholarly sources have been cited in this study.

PAGE 4 ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STRENGTHENING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM PAGE 6

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & RELATIONSHIPS PAGE 14

SUBSTANCE ABUSE & JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM PAGE 20

HOMELESS YOUTH IN ARIZONA PAGE 36

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 5

STRENGTHENING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION By Dominic Chen, Natalie Lucas and Muhammad Seedat

In today’s global economy, the quality of For the purposes of this report, a high education plays an important role in the school dropout is defined as a student future success of our nation. Despite this within the state of Arizona who chooses fact, education funding in the United not to continue their education past the States is severely deficient. In terms of age of 16—to both leave the high school educational funding as a percentage of setting and to pursue no further formal the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the education (GED or college diploma). United States ranks 31st globally1, and in Four preliminary solutions have been Arizona per‐pupil spending ranks sec‐ identified to reduce the number of high ond to last.2 This is reflected in the sub‐ school dropouts. These include the im‐ standard National Assessment of Educa‐ plementation of more service‐learning tional Progress (NAEP) scores of Ari‐ opportunities, the addition of a dropout zona students, who consistently score awareness segment to the state curricu‐ around ten points below the national lum, making course material relevant to average in math, reading, writing, and students in a real world setting, and the science every year.3 This problem has establishment of a ten‐hour per semes‐ only been further compounded by low ter community service requirement for high school attendance requirements graduation. Changes in the education and high secondary education dropout system will allow Arizona students to rates, which also exceed the national become more involved in their schools average.4 Furthermore, additional sta‐ and communities, thus making them tistics have shown that high school more aware of the educational and ca‐ dropouts cost the nation more than reer opportunities available to them. In $329 billion in lost wages, taxes and addition, students will also be able to productivity over their lifetimes, an become productive members of society, alarming figure in light of the current and their earning potential will increase economic downturn and the growing dramatically. Students will furthermore U.S. trade deficit.5 With the recent become educated citizens who can ac‐ stimulus package however, Arizona has tively participate in our nation’s democ‐ the opportunity to directly alter the ratic decision‐making process. These quality of education available to the next solutions will address the problem of generation of Arizonans, and ensure the high school dropout at the core by in‐ future economic success of the United creasing student engagement and States. school relevancy.

PAGE 6 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AWARENESS BY SHANTANU BALA AND MATT PRUSAK

Recommendation: Create a statewide curriculum that highlights the consequences of dropping out and available options to graduate high school.

High school dropout rates have drastic effects on coursework necessary for obtaining a high Arizona – socially and economically. Without an school diploma. Policy should require that a stu‐ improving graduation rate, Arizona cannot adapt dent’s guidance counselor speak with him or her to the growing demand for higher education in about available options before abandoning the workforce. The Center for the Future of Ari‐ school. Louisiana’s EMPLoY pilot program is an zona estimates that high school dropouts have a ideal guideline because it includes positive alter‐ 23.8 percent lower employment rate than gradu‐ natives such as job training, internships, and ates, resulting in between $311,130 and adult mentoring.9 The comprehensive nature of $496,785 in lost productivity and taxes per drop‐ the program is a key part of its anticipated suc‐ out. This estimate rises to between $2.2 million cess. EMPLoY utilizes the Jobs for America’s and $3 million if the dropout is a career criminal Graduates (JAG) curriculum as a model. JAG, and drug user.6 The Wall Street Journal wrote which boasts a 90 percent graduation rate of its that cutting the dropout rate in half would raise at‐risk participants and a 94 percent full‐time federal income tax revenue by $45 billion.7 Ac‐ employment rate upon completion, is a “school‐ cording to the Arizona Department of Education, to‐career program” which seeks to keep students the largest percentage of dropouts occurs during in school through “work‐based learning experi‐ the 12th grade at 7.6 percent.8 If the dropout rate ences that will lead to career advancement op‐ is left unchanged, long‐term effects on Arizona’s portunities or [enrollment] in a postsecondary workforce are inevitable. institution.”10 Through the lesson, students would become conscious of the drastic effects of Our recommendation is for schools to set aside not completing high school and aware of their time in the curriculum for teachers or guidance options to complete their studies. The potential counselors to highlight the consequences of amount of new high school graduates would con‐ dropping out. This portion of the curriculum tribute to the state both as skilled members of would include statistics highlighting the negative the workforce and increased tax revenue. effects of dropping out. It would also provide in‐ formation of alternative ways to complete the

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 7 SERVICE­LEARNING BY DIARRA ANDERSON

Recommendation: Incorporate Service­Learning into Academic Curricula.

The Editorial Projects in Education Research help to bridge the gap between abstract ideas Center found that “1.23 million high school stu‐ and practical skills, allowing students to under‐ dents or almost 30 percent will not be graduat‐ stand the meaning of their education. In an in‐ ing with their peers this year.”11 One of the rea‐ terview conducted at Hamilton High School, sons for the high number of students dropping some students stated that the major reason they out of high school today is that students do not would not dropout would be because they understand the relevancy of the material taught would lose contact with friends and acquaintan‐ in their schools. The Silent Epidemic website ces.15 With service‐learning programs in effect, found that nearly half of the total dropouts sur‐ high school students will also be around others veyed left school because they were not inter‐ who they are bound to share common interests. ested in attending.12 Edward Polus, Michigan Effective service‐learning projects can include Education Association director, suggests that a anything from gravesite preservation to a significant number of students drop out because youth‐run internet service.16 Projects such as they do not see the point of school.13 According these will help students gain practical knowl‐ to a student at Hamilton High School and East edge, which might include environmental care‐ Valley Technical Institute, school is irrelevant to taking and entrepreneurial skills.17 If projects students because it “teach[es] unnecessary in‐ such as these were implemented in a high formation that will not benefit students later in school curriculum it would no doubt have a pro‐ life.”14 found and positive effect on each student.

The implementation of more service‐learning into schools would help captivate students’ in‐ According to another student interviewee at terests and prevent them from dropping out. Hamilton High School, a probable cause of the Interesting opportunities to learn outside of the dropout rate is that school is becoming a minor 18 classroom and gain real world experience would priority in the busy lives of many students.

PAGE 8 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION The Michigan Education Association conducted students who participated in service‐learning, ten dropout workshops with parents and stu‐ students gained “civic knowledge, behaviors, dents with the goal of pinpointing the prob‐ and dispositions to school engagement factors, lem.19 Through those workshops, Polus found such as attachment to school and enjoyment of that family problems, economic issues, and coursework, that generally predict academic emotional troubles can also upset a student’s success.”24 Based on these studies, service learn‐ life to the point where he or she turns to drop‐ ing not only promotes relevancy to teens, but it ping out.20 This situation could be curbed with demonstrates how their studies can be used in service‐learning by allowing students to develop the future. their skills in active learning environments that are important to their pro‐ According to several of our in‐ fessional development. This terviewees, students in Arizona would keep school at the agree with these findings. A jun‐ forefront of their lives, and ior at Hamilton High School show them how the skills stated that the main reason he they enjoy utilizing can be keeps from dropping out of made into successful ca‐ school is the constant thought reers. of his education benefiting him in the future.25 Another student One of the specific goals of at the East Valley Institute of the Michigan Education As‐ Technology (EVIT) encourages sociation was to boost the service‐learning as a relevant relevancy of the classroom means of learning.26 According by joining it with the to him, this type of learning is “acquisitions of workplace beneficial by teaching him what skills;” in other words, ser‐ he “wants to learn”, not what he vice‐learning.21 An Ameri‐ is “forced to learn.”27 These pro‐ can Youth Policy forum (AYPF) paper provided grams deliver “direct opportunity” that is pre‐ the statement that policymakers and the public paring him well for his future career.28 “School tend to have negative outlooks on service‐ gives you what you take from it, and it gives me learning, seeing it as antiquated and providing everything.”29 Giving more to students in the only low‐paying jobs for low‐performing stu‐ form of traditional schooling and service‐ dents.22 However, Betty Band, the AYPF Execu‐ learning allows them to understand the rele‐ tive Director, acknowledges that times are dif‐ vancy of their studies on a personal level. ferent and that professions that service‐learning Students can take from it what they like in the contributes to, such as technical careers, are in form of enjoyable service‐learning projects, demand.23 A study conducted by the Center for and what they need in the form of invaluable Information & Research on Civic Learning and workplace skills. Engagement, found that out of more than 1,000

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 9

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND RELEVANCY BY KATIE JAFFE, NATALIE LUCAS, AND DAVID REYNOLDS

Students in Arizona are dropping out for many reasons. Some explanations include the lack of relevancy of school to them, family problems, or immediate job opportunities. Regardless of the reasons, the dropout rate is increasing throughout Arizona, and our state needs to assist schools to find an efficient solution to keep students in school until they graduate.

Recommendation 1: Implement a mandatory ten hour per­semester community service requirement at each high school.

By putting community service into effect peers he “found a passion in helping oth‐ within our state high schools, students ers through education.”30 Based on this will be able to learn the value and posi‐ experience, the student is currently pur‐ tive effects that service work has on their suing a career in education. Community communities and their own lives. Stu‐ service has shown to give students hands dents can work closely on a personal on experience and opens the doors for level with areas of their interest; such as many career opportunities. A freshman at working at an animal shelter, an environ‐ Tulane University and former volunteer mental organization, or a soup kitchen. at the Story Board Wall Coordinator for This may lead students to pursue a career the Arizona Lost Boys Center stated that paralleling the volunteer work they be‐ she has grown to appreciate the refugees came passionate about in high school. of Sudan. Community service projects This can also encourage them to finish “helped me develop personal skills that high school as they learn about real world later helped me in my educational ca‐ issues and gain applicable workforce reer.”31 These opportunities allow stu‐ skills. With these service experiences dents to find their passion and their po‐ they can see the world around them and tential through volunteering and may realize the potential that regular high lead to a burning desire to continue their school classes could not provide them. education beyond high school. For example, a volunteer opportunity in The Tempe High School District in Ari‐ tutoring may lead to a future career in zona is a prime example of what manda‐ education, just as volunteering at an ani‐ tory volunteer service can do for stu‐ mal shelter could potentially encourage a dents. The district has health classes that student to pursue veterinary studies. A require ten hours of community service recent graduate of Flagstaff High School in order to graduate. This program has stated that while he was tutoring his been successful at getting students to

PAGE 10 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION learn more than is presented in a classroom, and stead of showing the serious side of it.”33 has encouraged teamwork and trustworthiness This gives them more than the average school as students check up on each other to make sure day, and adds to the excitement that school can the service is completed. This puts the responsi‐ provide if it offers community service to its stu‐ bility in the students’ hands, and reinforces the dents. Students gain experience, find passion, importance of community service. and as shown

Students at Red Mountain High School see the here many con‐ importance of community service and pursue it nect by having in their daily lives. A sophomore at Red Moun‐ more fun. This is tain High School thinks highly of the idea of a chance to get more community service. “People would get students in‐ more involved into service and they would feel volved and ex‐ cited about go‐ better about their school.”32 This brings about a sense of connection between the students and ing to school what they do for their school, and overall en‐ and doing courages them to continue to attend and be‐ meaningful come further involved in activities. Another work that they sophomore at Red Mountain High School feels a are passionate greater impact from community service. “It is about, in turn preventing high school dropouts good to show how service work can be fun in‐ in Arizona.

Recommendation 2: Demonstrate the relevancy of course work through improved technology and hands­on experience.

An administrator at Red Mountain High School missing the big picture. Statistics show that stu‐ said, “everything we teach should have a real dents who drop out of high school earn $9,200 world effect so kids will learn, and the subjects less annually than a student who has graduated will become more relevant.”34 By making school from high school. They earn over one million more relevant, students will see the benefits and less dollars in a lifetime than a high school career choices schooling actually provides them. graduate. Additionally, high school dropouts Relevancy is one of the main reasons students earn only 60 percent of what graduates make, drop out of school as we have found from our resulting in a $50 billion loss in state revenue, personal interviews, and they feel that the an amount that we can never gain back.35 things they are being taught in class will have no Technology may also have a large impact on stu‐ effect on their choice of occupation or their life dents seeing relevancy to schooling, especially in the future. They have a point in that not eve‐ during a recession where education is becoming rything is going to apply to them, but they are

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 11

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND RELEVANCY CONT. FROM LAST PAGE

more and more a necessity to find meaningful lieve that “it would help if teachers spent more employment in the 21st century. We need to time with students who don’t understand any‐ prepare and equip our students for the work‐ thing. It seems like some of them don’t care.38 In force with new state of the art facilities. If we an interview of 500 students who were between place advanced technology in schools within the ages of 16‐25, 69% of the interviewees said low income communities, we will see students they dropped out because they were not moti‐ become more engaged and excited. “Research vated enough to work harder.39 Additionally, on classrooms that have put constructive teach‐ 47% said that they dropped out of high school ing and learning models into practice also indi‐ because their classes were not interesting. cates that technology can enhance student en‐ These students are not getting the attention and gagement and productivity. More specifically, the motivation from those around them that technology increases the complexity of the tasks they need, and are not therefore completing that students can perform successfully, raises their high school education. A sophomore at Red student motivation, and leads to changes in Mountain feels teachers need to show more ef‐ classroom roles and organization.”36 These tech‐ fort. “I think more hands‐on experience. I hate nologies and new ideas can and will keep stu‐ to say this with the economic crisis, but field dents in school and return those who have left. trips would be better. For example, in math A history teacher and coach at Red Mountain class, concepts would be easier to understand if High School agrees. “More use of technology in we had a hands‐on experience.”40 An English the classrooms and training teachers to use teacher at Red Mountain agrees. “A lot of kids technology in the classroom is helpful.”37 We ask ‘how am I ever going to use English or math need to get students engaged and give them spe‐ outside of school? You use English every day.' . cial skills that will allow them to enjoy school They don’t see high school as being relevant. and discover new opportunities. What I do is teach students to use skills beyond . We need to show students why school is rele‐ high school.”41 Although it is difficult to build vant to their lives; however some students be‐ relevancy into everything, this must be done in

PAGE 12 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION order to help students develop bright make students excited about school. futures. To some it is an exceptionally Additionally, integrating technology hard four years, but those four years in schools will help captivate stu‐ can make all the difference in their dents, and show them how they can lives and the future of Arizona be a unique part of our fast paced world. Whether through encouraging High school dropouts are increasing words, simple in‐class projects, tech‐ in Arizona, but something can be nology, or community work, schools done if things are changed and im‐ need to take the first step towards proving education is taken seriously. keeping students in school through We need to ensure that programs innovative learning projects. This is such as music, physical education, cu‐ not only to make the lives of our stu‐ linary skills, and electives are not cut dents better, but also to ensure that so that students understand the rele‐ we build a more dynamic state. Ari‐ vancy of coursework and feel empow‐ zona does have a problem with high ered to pursue their passions. If we school dropouts, but it also has the

want to make school more relevant E ? ; potential to fix it. , we need to provide the programs that

CONCLUSION BY DOMINIC CHEN, NATALIE LUCAS AND MUHAMMAD SEEDAT

Although the problem of low high school atten‐ makes the difference in student learning.”42 It is dance rates seems to be something easily re‐ thus important that legislators listen to the solved by more legislation, it is important to re‐ voices of educators, parents and students as leg‐ member that the success of any political initia‐ islation is being drafted. The Governor’s Youth tive depends on the support of the teachers and Commission thus recommends that the Arizona school administrators which work every day State Legislature explore this problem beyond with the future of America, as well as direct evi‐ the breadth of this document by directly seeking dence that attests to the success of a specific so‐ public input and establishing a study group to lution. For example, in a report presented to the produce comprehensive action steps.

Issaquah High School District of Issaquah, The economic and political importance of Washington, educators and administrators note proper education in the near future is undeni‐ that “there [is] little correlation to student suc‐ able: without the abilities of political visionaries cess in college with increased high school and well‐educated scientists, America is graduation requirements – it [is] not the quan‐ doomed to failure. As a state—as a nation—does ? tity but quality of courses and instructors that America dare take the risk? ,

Continued on next page

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 13

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & RELATIONSHIPS

INTRODUCTION BY SARAH POPLIN

Dating violence, or relationship abuse, is a pat‐ lence, one out of every five dating relationships tern of controlling behavior that someone uses includes an abusive element, affecting the part‐ against a current or prior girlfriend or boy‐ ners physically, emotionally, or many times friend.43 When abused, many victims run both.46 This is a major problem throughout our through a range of emotions including shame, state, and should be addressed by both policy mistrust, depression, fear, terror, self‐blame, makers and community members in order to sadness, confusion, anxiety, guilt, and denial. ensure the safety and dignity of individuals in This is incredibly dangerous, and many times relationships. In particular, relationship abuse impairs the victims’ decision‐making process.44 affects young women in a deadly way. Between According to a member of the White Mountain 1993 and 1999, 22 percent of all homicides Safe House in Pinetop, Arizona, once involved in against females 6 to 19 years of age were com‐ an abusive dating relationship, a victim of abuse mitted by an intimate partner. 47 on average “will return to [the] abuser seven times before [he or she] is willing to leave for In order to effectively address this social issue, the good.”45 Governor’s Youth Commission Committee to Pre­ vent Domestic Violence (CPDV) proposes the fol­ According to an informational pamphlet from lowing recommendations. the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Vio‐

PAGE 14 COMMITTEE TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DATING VIOLENCE LAW BY ANDREW CONLOGUE

Recommendation: Introduce dating violence language into state domestic violence law.

Adult victims of domestic violence involved in an do not allow for the same protections for vic‐ established marital relationship are more likely tims of dating violence as they do for victims of to have access to domestic violence shelter ser‐ other forms of domestic violence. As it stands vices and legal services than younger, typically now, the A.R.S. define domestic violence, and unmarried victims. This is an unfortunate fact therefore the protections available to domestic because research shows that young women are violence victims, in such a way to exclude vic‐ three times more likely to be abused by their tims of dating violence unless they have a child partner than in other age groups.48 These statis‐ in common or an individual is pregnant by the tics are horrifying enough, but the added, and other partner. Orders of protection, a tool for often forgotten, toll on the families of young preventing domestic violence situations through women who are victims of dating violence adds the law, are not available to victims of dating vio‐ another layer of suffering to this situation. Un‐ lence. In fact, Break the Cycle, an organization fortunately, upwards of 81 percent of parents that monitors state laws on teen dating violence, believe that dating violence is neither an issue or gave Arizona an F on its last State Report Card admit to not knowing whether it is a problem.49 for this very reason.50

Tragically, they often find out how real and terri‐ A domestic violence caseworker at the Forgach fying dating violence is far too late to prevent the House in rural Southern Arizona said that a vital effects. Though the likelihood of a dangerous re‐ issue in terms of dating violence in Arizona is the lationship developing among young people, and lack of strong laws that provide legal protection the likelihood that it will continue even after and care to victims.51 In Florida, a young woman multiple offenses, is higher than among adults, named Tiffany Barwick was killed by her ex‐ the protections available are not equitable. boyfriend in part because Florida law did not

In the state of Arizona, many issues contribute to stipulate “arrest in this case because the statu‐ this discrepancy. One of the most significant is tory charge was a misdemeanor and not one of the fact that the Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) the exceptions that will allow for arrest.” In

continued on next pa ge Continued on next page

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 15

DATING VIOLENCE LAW CONT. FROM LAST PAGE

other words, Miss Barwick’s death does not require a lengthy and un‐ may have been prevented if laws certain screening process, the or‐ preventing contact between her der may have prevented this tragic abuser and herself had been more incident.54 However, “Sudberry did‐ stringent at the time. As a result of n't qualify to file the more pressing her tragic case, the Florida legisla‐ order of protection because the law ture passed a law known as the requires that the applicant be mar‐ Barwick / Ruschak Act, which pro‐ ried or formerly married to the al‐ vides victims of dating violence leged abusive party, or have other with the same rights as those who deep ties, such as living together or experience domestic violence.52 having had a child together.”55 Al‐ . though the threat to Kaitlyn’s safety Florida has taken an additional step was as pressing as in an abusive to address this problem with re‐ marriage, she was not able to ac‐ gards to the law. Arizona has not, cess immediate protection due to and without similar legislation inadequate laws of protection. Sud‐ there will be many more cases like berry’s grievous death highlights Tiffany Barwick’s. On January 28, the faults in Arizona’s dating vio‐ 2008, 17‐year‐old Kaitlyn Sudberry lence law. An appropriate legal re‐ was fatally shot by her ex‐ sponse is necessary in order to help boyfriend, Daniel Byrd. Kaitlyn had prevent similar cases. been involved in an abusive rela‐ . tionship, and a week prior to her It is with this in mind that we pre‐ murder had filed for an injunction sent the first of our recommenda‐ against harassment. The papers tions, and the one that will require were never served, and Byrd, who the most immediate attention. Put had been accused of assaulting simply, the State of Arizona needs Kaitlyn by her parents, murdered to change the legal language of do‐ the young teen and subsequently mestic violence law and give committed suicide.53 Had Sudberry greater protection to victims of dat‐ had the legal grounds to access an ing violence. The easiest way to do order of protection, which unlike this is to target the current law in an injunction against harassment A.R.S. §13‐3601. It is absolutely must be served immediately and necessary that, through the most

PAGE 16 COMMITTEE TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DATING VIOLENCE LAW CONT. FROM LAST PAGE

expedient means possible, A.R.S. §13‐ indeed been subjected to dating vio‐ 3601 be amended to cover a broader lence. This alteration of the statute will range of situations and victims. grant them the power to do so. Some . may argue that judges may not be con‐ The most prevalent question to answer sistent in their rulings, but each judge in making this amendment is what con‐ has been vested with authority and stitutes a dating relationship and who trust by the people of Arizona, and is in fact a victim of dating violence? therefore should be trusted by the laws The vagueness among adolescents and of the State to make these decisions. young adult relationships is a legiti‐ mate concern when applying the law so The Arizona Governor’s Youth Commis‐ heavily. This question however has sion Committee to Prevent Domestic been answered in a satisfactory man‐ Violence strongly urges that govern‐ ner by S.B. 1088, introduced during the ment officials take action to either rein‐ first regular session of the 49th Legisla‐ troduce S.B. 1088 or introduce a bill or ture by Senator Jonathon Paton and other form of amendment with similar supported by his rival in his election, provisions. If dating violence victims Georgette Valle.56 The bill states that are not afforded the services, protec‐ the courts will decide whether the rela‐ tions and rights that they deserve, the tionship was previously a ‘romantic or number of people hurt or killed in Ari‐ sexual’ relationship based on the type zona, and the number of families torn of relationship, the length of the rela‐ to irreparable shreds by dating vio‐ tionship, the frequency of interaction, lence will only increase unchecked. and the length of time since the rela‐ With the introduction of S.B. 1088 and tionship, if it no longer exists, has been the ideas it has sparked, state officials terminated.57 This addition is vitally and ordinary citizens are in a unique necessary for the victims who are not position to do something about it. receiving access to the legal protection There has already been bipartisan con‐ they require and deserve, and answers sensus about the necessity of the bill. the question of the nature of violence Unless acted on now, the chance that that requires protection. The court sys‐ this unity provides will be lost. tem and the judicial personnel have full capability of making a ruling as to whether a victim of a violent act has

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 17 ONLINE RESOURCES BY PRANAV KELKAR

Recommendation: Establish a statewide database of information regarding domestic violence resources and services.

One of the most disheartening parts of dating tions that assist victims. This resource, however, violence is that many abused victims are not is only available to ten countries in northern and able to seek help at a shelter. In the state of Ari‐ central parts of the state. Five other counties are zona, many victims are turned away from do‐ not included, and as a result residents of other mestic violence shelters because there are not areas, particularly rural ones, are many times enough resources, such as shelter, counseling, or not as aware of their surrounding options. the developmentally appropriate resources to In order to meet the needs of its residents, Ari‐ assist youth. One of the major problems is that zona should create an accessible statewide sys‐ many agencies do not effectively communicate tem that lists all resources. The creation of a with each other. Particularly in rural areas, centralized database would help eliminate the agencies that are not connected with other or‐ dangerous lack of information available to ser‐ ganizations are often forced to turn victims vice providers. This online system would allow away when the pertinent counseling services are all domestic violence agencies to submit a sum‐ simply not available in the area. This is a huge mary of their activities, including the amount of problem, especially for young victims. As one unused beds, types of services, and the number worker at the Phoenix Family Advocacy Center of counselors, among other forms of informa‐ said, “if we can’t help [a victim] with anything tion. With this database, case workers would be we have, we will be forced to turn them away.”58 able to refer a victim to the appropriate agency A centralized database of counseling and shelter depending on the type of help needed. The first information would help solve this problem. step toward creating this database would be to In parts of Arizona, the Community Information conduct a statewide survey on the resources and & Referral website and hotline is an important services provided by each center. Information resource used by case managers and service would be categorized by the services provided, a providers. It serves as a “vital link between peo‐ tool which would help victims find resources ple who need help and the organizations which and their locations. This effort will benefit vic‐ provide that help.”59 Individuals can use this tool tims tremendously, and give caseworkers a use‐ ?; to search for contact information of organiza‐ ful referral tool.

PAGE 18 COMMITTEE TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BREAKING THE CYCLE WITH REPEATED EDUCATION BY SARAH POPLIN

Recommendation: Create school based curricula and public service announce­ ments about the correct avenues of assistance and healthy relationships.

Including dating violence language in A.R.S. §13‐ well as information about how to create and 3601 will be a helpful tool to increase account‐ preserve a healthy one. This information could ability and decrease the number of domestic be taught with help from non‐profit organiza‐ violence victims. At the same time, victims tions, such as DoSomething.org or LoveIsRe­ should be made aware of the appropriate steps spect.com. These organizations have made it to leave a relationship in the event that it does their mission to stop teen dating violence. become abusive. Through the process of inform‐ DoSomething.org can help teenagers understand ing people about healthy relationships and safe their rights and identify how much control they ways to break‐off destructive ones, our hope is have in their relationships, whereas LoveIsRe­ that abusive relationships will not continue in a spect.org provides guides for identifying victims repeating cycle. Information should be more and abusers as well as symptoms of unhealthy readily available to everyone, for abuse tran‐ or healthy relationships, such as deciding scends all barriers of ages, races, socio‐ whether partners feel pressured into feeling re‐ economic statuses, and genders. sponsible or pressured to never talk to friends. To educate those who are not in school, public It is important that information be distributed to service announcements should be made using schools because thirty‐one percent of teenagers helpful information provided by the above men‐ have experienced themselves, or have a friend 60 tioned resources. who has experienced a form of dating violence. School based programs should be centered on By presenting more information to the public, situations that youth are in and problems they we feel that victims will be more aware of their face. options, and the community will be more tuned in to the warning signs presented by the people Education for people of all ages should include around them. warning signs about abusive relationships as

CONCLUSION The Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission Committee to Prevent Domestic Violence has sought to define dating violence, illustrate some examples, and demonstrate ways that both public officials and ordinary citizens can control and drastically reduce the threat of this horrifying problem. Now it is up to the people of Arizona, represented by its government, to take action against a pattern of behavior that is both mor­ ally unacceptable and entirely criminal in its spirit. Through more effective laws, the spread of awareness about an issue that is often understated or forgotten, and the consolidation of victims’ services into a cen­ tral database, Arizona can not only take a strong stand against teen dating violence, but also pave the way for other states on this issue. As a government and as a state, Arizona now has the choice of forging with the hands of its own people a policy of strict punishment for abusers and open arms towards the abused.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 19 JUVENILE JUSTICE & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

INTRODUCTION BY ABIGAIL WELLS

Youth: an era that is comprised of the most cru‐ but much stronger and more direct. The decisions cial and defining years of one’s life. The mind has made by adults during this time will affect youth not fully developed, and is therefore more sus‐ for the rest of their lives. It is a process that de‐ ceptible to the influences that surround it. These mands care and precision; with a direct focus on critical experiences are the means by which char‐ reform rather than punishment—taking into ac‐ acter is built, and the future is decided. We, the count the countless factors surrounding and in‐ youth of the Committee for Juvenile Justice and fluencing the delinquent acts (i.e. family situation, Substance Abuse Prevention, recognize the value learning disabilities, anger issues, etc.). There is a of youth in our society, and believe that shaping much more extensive causal analysis that must the character of a youth is, in essence, shaping the take place in the juvenile courts; finding and ad‐ future. dressing the reasons for the crime, rather than the crime itself.61 Juvenile treatment must be in‐ Because youth is such a crucial period in one’s dividually‐based. life, institutions that work with youth—especially troubled youth—are necessarily more complex. Unfortunately, there has been a dramatic shift in This report will discuss one of these institutions, mindset in recent years regarding juvenile jus‐ and will outline specific recommendations that tice. The "tough on crime" mindset of the 1990's we believe will allow for a safer, and a more effec‐ has caused a shift from rehabilitation and reform tive rehabilitative process. to punishment in the adult and juvenile crime systems. While this approach may warrant suc‐ The juvenile justice system is comprised of indi‐ cess in the short‐term; the long‐term effects have viduals who hold a great deal of discretionary been proven less effective, if not detrimental both power—similar to that of a teacher or mentor, to the youth and society as a whole.

PAGE 20 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Preven­ bilitative for youth. The opportunity to change tion Act of 2002 established a federal law that should be universal, as should the opportunity requires the following components to be met at to make a positive difference in the world. It is the state level regarding juvenile justice: up to adults to provide such opportunity and to facilitate growth for the youth of our society. 1. Deinstitutionalization of status offenders: The choices adults make now are shaping the A minor should not be detained for any status lives of future generations. Too often are the offense. A status offense is defined as any of‐ long‐term effects of our decisions ignored in fense that an adult would not be penalized for place of short‐term successes. When it comes to (i.e. minor in possession, running away, etc). the youth, however, these future consequences ? cannot be ignored. , 2. Jail Removal: A juvenile must not spend more than six hours in an adult jail before being transferred to a juvenile facility.

3. Sight and Sound Separation: When a juve‐ nile is held in an adult jail, they must not be able to hear or see any adult offenders.

4. Disproportionate Minority Contact: States must address this issue and show efforts to re‐ duce the overrepresentation of minority youth in the system.

This federal law was passed in response to the widespread overuse of detention facilities, and as an attempt to make the juvenile justice proc‐ ess safer and more effective. Each of its require‐ ments is directly linked with the amount of an‐ nual federal funding that each state receives.

We, the youth of the Arizona Governor’s Youth Commission, believe that decisions made throughout the juvenile justice system should be reflective of the goals above, and should strive to make the justice process safer and more reha‐

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 21 ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION BY ABIGAIL WELLS

Recommendation: More detention alternatives are utilized and created.

Juvenile detention centers are a vital psychologist found that for one‐third of component of the juvenile justice sys‐ incarcerated youth diagnosed with de‐ tem, and offer effective solutions in the pression, the onset of the depression supervising of at‐risk youth. Detention occurred after they began their incar‐ centers should be treated as a last re‐ ceration.”65 Detention removes youth sort, however, and should only be util‐ from their community and their fam‐ ized if: ily—all of the people who are most

A. Minor is alleged to have committed a vested in their success. It is not surpris‐ delinquent offense, and an objective as­ ing that detention is not only an ineffec‐ sessment demonstrates high risk that tive treatment of delinquent behavior; presents a significant risk to the commu­ but that it is actually detrimental to the nity or; healing, rehabilitative process that B. There are significant indicators that should occur during one’s time in the the minor is not likely to appear at future juvenile justice system. In addition to being harmful to the men‐ hearings.63 . tal health and well‐being of youth, de‐ While specialists agree that these re‐ tention can even increase the odds of quirements should be met by all deten‐ continued crime. “A recent evaluation of tion referrals, recent studies demon‐ secure detention in Wisconsin, con‐ strate a system mindset that is inconsis‐ ducted by the state’s Joint Legislative tent with these goals. “Detention cen‐ Audit Committee reported that, in the ters do serve a role by temporarily su‐ four counties studied, 70 percent of pervising the most at‐risk youth. How‐ youth held in secure detention were ar‐ ever, with 70 percent being held for rested or returned to secure detention nonviolent offenses at the national level, within one year of release. The re‐ it is not clear whether the mass deten‐ searchers found that ‘placement in se‐ 64 tion of youth is necessary […]”. cure detention may deter a small pro‐ Not only is this detainment unneces‐ portion of juveniles from future crimi‐ sary, but it can become dangerous to nal activity, although they do not deter both the detained youth and the com‐ most juveniles.’”66

munities in which they reside. Deten‐ . tion facilities have been proven to have Not only is detention a dangerous treat‐ a negative impact on the mental health ment of youth delinquency, but it is not

and well‐being of the detainees. “One cost‐effective. In fact, when compared

PAGE 22 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION with other alternative forms of crime treatment, be the all‐encompassing solution. Cases of this detention is one of the least cost‐effective invest‐ nature should be provided with alternatives that ments. The Washington State Institute for Public will meet the needs of the individual, and provide Policy (WSIPP) found that: “for every dollar the effective services necessary to their case. . spent on county juvenile detention systems, The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative $1.98 of ‘benefits’ in terms of reduced crime and (JDAI) offers a strategy of reform to juvenile jus‐ costs of crime to taxpayers was achieved. By tice systems across the nation, and is a response sharp contrast, diversion and mentoring pro‐ to the requirements of the Juvenile Justice and grams produced $3.36 of benefits for every dol‐ Delinquency Prevention Act. In pursuing its goal lar spent, aggression replacement training pro‐ of utilizing detention as a last resort, JDAI duced $10 of benefits for every dollar spent, and “restructures the surrounding systems to create multi‐systemic therapy produced $13 of benefits improvements that reach far beyond detention 67 for every dollar spent.” Detention produces less alone.” The core strategies of the JDAI movement than one‐sixth of the monetary benefits reaped include: inter‐governmental collaboration, reli‐ by crime treatment alternatives. In a time of eco‐ ance on data, objective admissions screening, al‐ nomic downturn, American taxpayers cannot af‐ ternatives to secure confinement, expedited case ford this type of irresponsible government processing, improved handling of “special cases,” spending. express strategies to reduce racial disparities, . Detention pulls youth deeper into the juvenile and improving conditions of confinement. In and criminal justice system. As San Jose Police 1996, the strategies were piloted in several coun‐ Chief, Bill Landsdowne, stated, “Locking up kids ties across the United States. The results have is the easiest way. But once they get in the juve‐ proven it to be remarkably effective. From 1996 nile justice system, it’s very hard to get them to 2002, the violent juvenile arrest rate de‐ out.”68 Many who work within the system find creased by an average of 37 percent. Pima this to be true. In fact, some youth become de‐ County, Arizona has adopted this movement and pendent on the structure of detention facilities, has also seen positive results. Some of the deten‐ making them incapable of functioning well in tion alternatives offered in Pima County involve normal society. This is a state that many special‐ community‐based treatment and temporary ists refer to as becoming “institutionalized.” A hold‐over centers. Youth who have engaged in Phoenix juvenile attorney and co‐founder of an delinquent behavior should be kept out of deten‐ alternative program for troubled youth stated, tion facilities at all costs. Not only are these facili‐ “The therapists in our program have found that it ties less effective, but they are also not cost effi‐ is far more difficult to invite a change of heart cient, and are dangerous to the mental health and to create mature independence in children and well‐being of the youth they detain. Wash‐ who have developed dependency patterns in in‐ ington State SAG Chair, Janice O’Mahony, stated stitutions. This process is simplified, however, “Children in conflict with the law deserve to be for those who have been in highly structured al‐ given a chance to change. Change is best fostered ternative treatment programs.”69 These youth by keeping kids close to home, enrolled in school, thrive on the structure of the system as that is, in and whenever possible, out of costly, harmful some cases, the only source of structure in their and unnecessary placement in locked deten‐ lives. Again, individualized treatment seems to tion.”70

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 23 DISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACT BY ABIGAIL WELLS

Recommendation: More research and action should be taken to eliminate the causes of disproportionate minority contact within the juvenile system.

From 1985 to 1995, youth of color less concrete, the problem itself is came to represent the majority in more difficult to overcome; but it detention centers across the coun‐ must be addressed nevertheless. The try.71 These numbers have become Honorable Patricia Escher, of the increasingly disproportionate as the Pima County Juvenile Court, ex‐ years have passed. A national 2003 plained that it is necessary to “look study indicated that African‐ at the system through a racially‐ American youth were detained at a aware lens” in order to solve the rate 4.5 times that of Caucasian problems surrounding dispropor‐ youth, and Latino youth were de‐ tionate minority contact.76 4 tained twice as much as Cauca‐ The Juvenile Detention Alternatives 72 sians. Recent studies have found Initiative offers six guiding princi‐ that while minority youth represent ples for Disproportionate Minority only a third of the total American Contact (DMC) reduction in deten‐ population, 61 percent of youth de‐ tion: 77 tained represent a minority.73 Some may reason these figures as proof 1. All children should be treated equally that minority youth are more likely within the juvenile detention system. . to commit a detainable crime. This is 2. Racial/ethnic disparities in detention not the case, however. Studies have occur because of both conscious and sub­ conscious racism. revealed that, even in cases in which . 3. Racial/ethnic disparities in detention an extremely similar act of delin‐ are often the unintended consequences of quency has been committed, youth seemingly race­neutral practices. . of color are still more likely to be ar‐ 4. Data must be collected and carefully rested.74 analyzed to enhance efforts to reduce . racial/ethnic disparities in detention policies/practices. The cause of this disproportionate . minority contact within the juvenile 5. Leadership makes a difference; both individuals and agencies have a responsi­ system is abstract, and can be found bility to address racial/ethnic disparities in some of the deepest social issues in juvenile justice. of our nation. These issues are evi‐ While we cannot control all the factors that lead to racial/ethnic disparities, dent at every decision‐making point there are things we can control and in the system.75 Because the cause is change in the detention system.

PAGE 24 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION The JDAI strategy resource also of all juvenile justice stakeholders provides examples of how these at every level in the system. principles should be imple‐ mented. It outlines the need to The overall process should begin create cultural competency at with the creation of a workgroup every level of the system, and to and/or task force. This work‐ ensure that culturally competent group will facilitate research and programs and alternatives are of‐ the collection of data that exam‐ fered to youth.78 Once again, the ines the demographic of youth at importance of specific and indi‐ various entry points in the sys‐ vidual treatment of every juvenile tem. Once this data is analyzed, case is emphasized. Because the specific problem areas can be change of this nature takes time, targeted, and the education proc‐ progress in this area will be pre‐ ess can begin. These targeted sumably slow. Monitoring and problem areas will vary from research must be utilized continu‐ county to county, and therefore ally, however, as a means of iden‐ the solutions will be unique. Sur‐ tifying and targeting the areas in veillance, however, is necessary in which the system is the weakest. each system, and should be paired with the education of the public The Juvenile Court System of Pima and law enforcement. County, Arizona has implemented several of these strategies— Change of this nature takes time, beginning with the basics of re‐ and progress will be presumably search and the gathering of statis‐ slow; but the issue of dispropor‐ tical data. This data is then re‐ tionate minority contact can be viewed by a workgroup specifi‐ ignored no longer. We live in a na‐ cally designed to decrease dispro‐ tion that stands upon the basic portionate minority contact, and values of equality and opportu‐ the exact problem areas are iden‐ nity. We should therefore deem tified. The solutions to the prob‐ the solutions to these issues as lem of disproportionate minority vital and imperative steps in the contact reside within the realm of progress of our democracy. education; of both the public and

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 25 LESS YOUTH IN THE ADULT SYSTEM BY ZAYD AHMED

Recommendation: Decrease the number of youth in the adult system.

Youth in adult prisons are five times more adult jail or lockup, with the exception of juve‐ likely to be assaulted and eight times more niles who are accused of non‐status offenses likely to commit suicide than in juvenile facili‐ and detained in a jail or lockup for a period not ties.79 To avoid negative mentoring and to pre‐ to exceed six hours, during processing or re‐ vent youth from becoming career criminals, it lease, while awaiting transfer to a juvenile facil‐ is imperative that youth are housed separately ity, or when making a court appearance. The from adults. JJDPA also provides for a “rural exception,”

The four core requirements of the Juvenile Jus‐ which allows juveniles who are accused of de‐ tice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPPA) of‐ linquency offenses to be detained in an adult fers guidelines for the reduction of juveniles in facility for up to 48 hours (or longer due to ex‐ adult prisons: tenuating circumstances), after being taken into custody and while awaiting an initial court A. Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders . appearance. Several states have ‘holdover sites’ ..Status offenders and juveniles not charged which are short term, non‐secure sites such as with an offense shall not be placed in secured youth centers, faith institutions, unused hospi‐ detention. For example, New Mexico uses fed‐ tal spaces –where youth are given one‐on‐one eral funds to support non secure shelters to attention from trained adults like teachers, so‐ hold runways and alcohol offenders for 24‐48 cial workers or clergy. For example, in North hours. Also, they use grant funds for a non‐ Dakota 87% of youth awaiting court hearings secure detoxification shelter, known as Juvenile were held in adult jails. Now, less than 1% re‐ Crisis Center, to manage offenders charged main in adult jails. with alcohol possession and delinquency of‐ C. Reducing Disproportionate Minority Contact fenses in the state. The JJDPA specifically mandates that states ad‐ B. Removal of juveniles from adult jails and dress juvenile delinquency prevention and sys‐ lockups. tem improvement efforts designed to reduce The Jail Removal core requirement mandates the disproportionate number of juvenile that juveniles should not be detained in an

PAGE 26 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION members of minority groups who come into con‐ community centers, faith institutions, hospitals, etc. tact with the juvenile justice system. To support 2. Use community monitoring (electronic moni­ DMC compliance, State Advisory Groups are sup‐ toring). porting the use of an objective risk assessment 3. Non­secure crisis and detoxification centers. instrument before a child/youth is detained, and 4. Use objective risk assessments to narrow the the development of continuums of culturally detention criteria. New Mexico limits incarceration competent, community‐based, family and com‐ to youth who pose a substantial danger to commu­ munity services and supports, as alternatives to nities or who are at risk of flight. detention.80 5. Detention Expeditor – more efficient case proc­

Although difficult to implement, Arizona could essing and reduced length of stay in detention. follow a model used by New Mexico: 6. Restrict the incar­ ceration age to eleven 1. Use ‘holdover sites’ ­ non secure facilities like and above.

EDUCATION AND REINTERGRATION INTO SCHOOL BY ZAYD AHMED

Recommendation: Place a larger emphasis on education in detention and reintegrating juveniles into schools.

According to Janice O’Mahony (SAG Chair, Wash‐ Therefore, it is impor‐ ington State‐ Coalition for Juvenile Justice), tant to keep youth in “children in conflict with the law deserve to be touch with school given a chance to change. Change is best fostered while in detention. For by keeping kids close to home, enrolled in school, example, Pinal and whenever possible out of costly, harmful and County’s Youth Justice unnecessary placement in locked detention”81 Center is a facility built

Schools are sometimes the gateway to the juve‐ around a school. While nile justice system. It is important for schools to in detention, it is im‐ address educational issues for at‐risk youth. portant to have educa‐ Youth are more malleable and receptive than tion, support and men‐ adults to learning new behaviors, as well as new toring services available as well as life skills train‐ modes of thought and values, and these can be ing on a variety of topics such as budgeting and used as key ingredients in effective rehabilitation. time management.

The juvenile court system has to be engaged in Juvenile facilities and school districts should prevention and intervention programs at schools. work together to help youth released from court After release from court or detention, it can be custody and detention successfully reintegrate overwhelming for youth to return to school. back into classrooms and peer communities.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 27

EDUCATION AND REINTERGRATION INTO SCHOOL CONT. FROM LAST PAGE

Rehabilitation programs should represent an as‐ Another example is the Gang Violence Bridging sociation between school systems, community Project initiated by the Pat Brown Institute of based organizations and the juvenile court sys‐ Public Affairs.84 This project assists at‐risk youth tem. For example, Los Angeles has a program and former gang members in seizing educational called Project Joyas82 which is an afterschool and employment opportunities. The most impor‐ leadership academy for delinquent or unruly girls tant aim should not only be enrollment, but also who are referred to by probation officers, juve‐ graduation and follow‐up visits by mentors, case nile courts and schools. Tutors, mentors and workers, cooperative family members, and school counselors work to build self‐esteem and build staff. camaraderie.83

INCREASE SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION/ EDUCATION/TREATMENT

BY ZAYD AHMED

Recommendation: More research is completed and programs implemented that address the issue of substance abuse in the lives of juveniles who have participated in delinquent behavior.

Research shows that young people who abuse For example, we must ensure that SCHIP, the drugs and alcohol are more likely to behave vio‐ State Children’s Health Insurance Program which lently and end up in court.85 Nationwide, 2 mil‐ provides health insurance to children and fami‐ lion teenagers are arrested each year and two‐ lies at or below 200 percent of the federal pov‐ thirds test positive for drugs or alcohol. A further erty line,87 covers substance abuse services for 70% of juveniles in secure detention have sub‐ adolescents. The Robert Wood Johnson Founda‐ stance abuse problems.86 To address this prob‐ tion evaluated a $21 million initiative called Re‐ lem, interagency, community focused interven‐ claiming Futures. It advocates that all children tion is needed. It is necessary that juvenile justice entering the juvenile justice system be screened and treatment systems should cooperate across for drug and alcohol addiction. Additionally, sup‐ agency boundaries and measure their collective port for youth and families who have successfully efforts. It is important to increase funding for left the juvenile justice system should be pro‐ adolescent substance abu se treatment services. vided in order to prevent relapses.88

PAGE 28 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION Prevention teenagers. We must fund substance abuse and

Fund community programs that address family treatment programs that consider family history violence and substance abuse. Also teach youth and dynamics, culture and social environment, as how to cope with anger, alienation, loss, and well as pair youth with mentors in order to moni‐ stress as many of them resort to drugs to cope. tor and prevent relapses. Drug counselors should Schools, doctors and parents should be trained to not focus on dependency at the exclusion of com‐ meet educational, physical and social needs of prehensive mental health assessments.

INCREASE FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN INTERVENTION BY ZAYD AHMED

Recommendation: Educational and therapeutic programs are implemented to help the families of juveniles who are involved in delinquent activities.

According to the Justice Policy Institute report, ments and work through differences. “Dangers of Detention”, community and family 2. Non­parental adult role models: a network of based interventions prove most effective, dollar responsible adults who mentor the child. for dollar. The American Youth and Policy Forum 3. Good health practices: regular exercise and also asserts that “when used appropriately, home meeting nutritional needs. and community linked programs report success 4. Time spent in group activities / connection to rates of 90% and higher at a fraction of the cost of an organization. secure detention.”89 5. Community Involvement.

Jeffery Butts, research fellow at The University of

Chicago, advises the following for optimal adoles‐ Butts envisions a juvenile justice and delinquency cent development, and has advocated the same prevention program that places a premium on for juvenile delinquency prevention:90 strong bonds between youth, families, adults and 1. Family Communication: to celebrate achieve­ their larger communities. i:

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 29 INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUTH BY VICTOR DE LA CERDA

Recommendation: Increased mental health services are offered at every level of the juvenile justice system.

The 1990’s saw a wave of rising violence, and a them, or are unaware of any programs present in surge of tough law swept across the nation which their communities. A Coalition for Juvenile Justice reduced judicial discretion and the ability to report indicated that 36% of respondents from a screen and divert youth who were mentally ill. national survey said their children were in the This, combined with a sharp decrease of public juvenile justice system because mental health and youth mental health systems, created a services outside of the system were unavailable “dumping ground” for youth with mental ill‐ to them.92 One program, Wraparound Milwaukee, nesses in juvenile detentions. Researchers have treats mentally ill youth from referral to intense determined that treatment and has built two‐thirds of youth a network of commu‐ who enter a deten‐ nity based programs, tion facility meet religious institutions, criteria for a men‐ recreational programs, tal disorder, and and law enforcement one‐third of these agencies that families youth will require can go to when in need ongoing mental of support. health treatment When examining the after they leave de‐ nation’s juvenile deten‐ tention.91 This tion facilities, it is obvi‐ shows that mental ous that a void is pre‐ health services are not only necessary while in sent in the area of mental health services. As detention, but also in their communities before stated previously, two‐thirds of youth who enter entrance and after release. detention meet the criteria for a mental illness,

Establishing effective community based mental among the facilities housing these youth 75% fail health treatment programs is essential to helping to conform to the most basic suicide prevention 93 schools, organizations, and families treat youth guidelines. This demonstrates what detention who are diagnosed or show signs of a mental ill‐ directors and numerous studies have said: deten‐ ness. Having these institutions for at‐risk youth tion is a dangerous environment that fosters re‐ lowers the possibility of youth entering a deten‐ cidivism, violence, mental illness, and higher sui‐ tion facility; however, most families are placed on cide and depression rates. a wait list to enter these facilities, cannot afford

PAGE 30 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION First, an examination of the current detention fa‐ of mentally ill youth, determining whether or not cility must be done to ensure that youth are being their condition and behavior will worsen or if it treated safely, legally, and humanely to effectively has been treated effectively. While some youth provide services. Facilities must examine their will be placed in a long‐term treatment home of population and each individual youth using objec‐ some sort after detention (as that is perhaps why tive admissions screening, a Juvenile Detentions they were placed there in the first place), others Alternative Initiative core strategy. This strategy do not require it and will need more community uses risk assessment instruments and changing based programming. This treatment should be procedures so that they are used to guide deten‐ part of an ongoing plan provided while in deten‐ tion decisions. Another core strategy of JDAI is tion. Keeping youth close to home helps them re‐ special detention cases, using particular ap‐ adjust to supportive environments, and is a key proaches with youth who are in detention on component to the rehabilitation of mentally ill technical probation violations, outstanding war‐ youth.

rants, and youth awaiting services elsewhere. Creating effective and sustainable programming Both of these tools provide a clearer and more and treatment for mentally ill youth is beneficial effective way of treating mentally ill youth while to all stakeholders involved in juvenile justice. in treatment. However, one thing must be in place While an initial investment in these programs is before the services can be provided. A trained exactly that, an investment, it will reap numerous and understanding staff is necessary in order to benefits, such as decreasing recidivism, providing effectively create treatment plans for mentally ill more diversion programs for mentally ill youth, youth as well as treating individual populations and overall creating a more supporting commu‐ in a respectable manner, especially youth of nity that supports and sustains. However, it is im‐ color, girls, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans‐ portant that mentally ill youth are not placed in gender (GLBT) youth. Trained medical treatment detention unless absolutely necessary. By devel‐ staff must also be made available to youth to di‐ oping and changing policy, juvenile justice lead‐ agnose, treat, and provide guidance on each case. ers change the storage‐unit methods of many of

Post‐detention is a pivotal point in the treatment today’s detention centers.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 31 INCREASE COLLABORATION AMONG LOCAL AGENCIES & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

BY VICTOR DE LA CERDA

Recommendation: Further collaboration between the juvenile justice system and outside programs that focus on youth development.

When detaining youth and treating them in the ment, and has proven to help at‐risk youth reha‐ Juvenile Justice System, collaboration of local bilitate. Such programs also help young offenders agencies within government and the community is understand their victims, build responsibility, and essential to creating unique and diverse program‐ understand how they fit into the “real world”. Pro‐ ming. Collaboration, especially with programs that viding these services is also a great way for de‐ foster youth development, is not only a treatment tained youth to explore their interests and future method, but also a way to build skills and knowl‐ career options.

edge that will help youth when they are released Schools and the services they provide youth dur‐ from detention. ing and after detention help youth to adjust and

Pinal County’s youth justice center is a leading ex‐ relate to their peers. Developing these programs ample of using collaboration to help youth in de‐ reduces the chance of youth dropping out of tention. A detention center built around a school, school by creating an understanding environment the justice center and the county’s Juvenile Court rather than a judgmental one. It also helps to have a large volunteer program that promotes ca‐ showcase promising extracurricular and career reer exploration through services and contact opportunities available to them.

with mentors, tutors, and teachers skilled in A key part in collaborating with local agencies and health, safety, and life. For example, Pinal County outside programs is identifying the community’s offers service opportunities outside of detention stakeholders and how they can help improve a fa‐ facilities that allow youth to help pay off their res‐ cility and the lives of youth. Businesses, volunteers titution. and non‐profit organizations can all assist youth in

Service‐learning is a great tool in youth develop‐ various ways.

PAGE 32 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION GENDER­SPECIFIC PROGRAMS BY VICTOR DE LA CERDA

Recommendation: Create more gender­specific programs to meet the disparate needs of juvenile offenders.

Looking at today’s juvenile detention population it of this, however the foremost reason is that girls is obvious that boys remain the dominant popula‐ are predominately arrested for non‐violent status tion while girls play a minority in the overall land‐ offenses. The most popular offenses are running scape. These numbers are quickly changing how‐ away and truancy, in fact, girls are 170% more ever, as the amount of girls arrested and placed in likely to be detained for these offenses than detention is rising. Indeed, they are the fastest boys.98 . growing segment of the juvenile justice popula‐ With an understanding of gender differences, risk tion.94 factors, and knowledge of the increased amount The first step in developing gender‐specific pro‐ of status offense incarcerations (a violation of the gramming is understanding the population of at‐ JJDP act), detention centers must move forward risk girls in detention, their unique needs, and the with creating gender‐specific programming. Each risk factors involved. The dominant factor of girls county must first examine their decision making in detention is a history of trauma, physical, and process, but this does not only include admissions. sexual abuse.95 In fact, a study found that 92% of This includes training programs for police and incarcerated girls have experienced one or more other law enforcement. After educating all the forms of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, and stakeholders in the community, data must be col‐ 40% have been raped.96 Some gender differences lected before programming is initiated. This infor‐ that girls demonstrate are a tendency to be more mation will also help build a knowledge base for focused on relationships, internalize trauma, ex‐ gender based programming of which there is cur‐ perience family conflict and separation to a higher rently very little. While a national model for girls degree, and an elevated incidence of mental health does not exist, there are some notable organiza‐ disorders and undiagnosed learning disabilities.97 tions that can be modeled after such as the PACE ... Center for Girls, Movimento Ascendia, Girls, Inc.

Why is the number of girls in detention rising? ? Friendly PEERsuasion, and SISTERS. , There are a number of social factors that are a part

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 33 EVALUATION OF PROGRAMMING WITHIN JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS BY ABIGAIL WELLS

Recommendation: Further studies are conducted on the effectiveness of programs throughout the juvenile justice system.

“I’d really like to see research on if we’re making the funding community.”101 The project benefited a difference, […] or areas we can improve on. I’m all involved—giving the local non‐profit organiza‐ always open to suggestions,” says a juvenile pro‐ tions the “opportunity to have their work vali‐ bation officer from the Juvenile Probation Depart‐ dated by an outside organization” while giving ment of Maricopa County, Arizona.99 A Pinal students and faculty at the university level more County Detention Director agrees: “One key thing experience and contacts within the world of in‐ we’re missing on a national level is seeing where vestigation and research. A similar university we are, because that's the most important thing. partnership could be formed for the purpose of We need to make sure we’re making a difference juvenile justice outcome research, and would and having an impact.”100 reap similar benefits for all involved. Once a part‐ nership or team is created, it would then work Research and analysis of past performance is a with professionals in the juvenile justice field to vital first step for any system in which constant, determine the criterion of success for youth who progressive change is necessary. Therefore, these leave the system. Because every youth has unique types of follow‐through studies should be con‐ needs and therefore a unique means in which tinually conducted at every level of the juvenile they meet “success,” the criterion would be nec‐ justice system: prevention, treatment, and deten‐ essarily basic. tion. Creating or employing an existing outcome research institute, perhaps at the university level, These outcome studies would not only be useful would prove to be a successful state investment. in determining the effectiveness and measuring The Pew Partnership for Civic Change gives one the success of various programs, but also in out‐ example of a similar partnership in which a na‐ lining the progress of the state’s efforts in the tional research organization partnered with vari‐ realm of disproportionate minority contact and ous colleges and universities across the nation to other areas of juvenile justice. The communica‐ identify the “Solutions for America.” “Instead of tion of this research is just as vital as the research sending a sole researcher to each Solutions com‐ itself. Once the research is complete, the results munity, we decided to partner program staff at should be regularly communicated to all stake‐ each site with academics from colleges and uni‐ holders at every level in the system—from law‐ versities in their own backyards. […] The results makers to fieldworkers. This would allow the of these local partnerships, we have found, are state to spend its money more efficiently and ef‐ promising and exciting for all those involved: fectively and to become more successful in its practitioners in the nonprofit and government overall juvenile justice efforts. sectors, researchers fro m higher education, and

PAGE 34 COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION CONCLUSION BY ARIANA BALDERAZ

As stressed in the above policies, it is imperative when he or she is released and back in class. to reduce the number of youth detained and use However, to avoid detention completely, juvenile the available funds for juvenile intervention. justice intervention programs must be made When youth commit a crime, many are sent to a available to all youth at schools and other learn‐ juvenile detention center. Many times, the rea‐ ing facilities. sons behind the crime or their environment at home are overlooked. The Juvenile Justice System The most effective and easiest way to approach supervises at risk youth and criminals; but this intervention is at home with the youth’s family should be the last resort. and community. The emotional and spiritual sup‐ port comes from this background, and will have a Youth detained in a Juvenile Justice System ex‐ positive effect if they all work together for the perience a life that no youth should know. Once sake of their youth’s life and well‐being. youth go into the system, it is hard to get them As from youth’s point of view we feel that there out. They establish a life that isn’t healthy for should be less youth detained and more alterna‐ them or those around them when they are re‐ tives to detention. A youth detained costs nearly leased. Youth detention facilities have shown to $40,000 a year, whereas treatment costs close to have a negative impact on the youth detained. $3,000 a year.103 These extra funds can go a long Mental, spiritual, and reintegration into society way. They could go to more prevention programs and school are all major issues a youth must face at schools, youth facilities, communities, and after release.102 treatment programs for substance abuse. Why wait and fully corrupt a youth in detention than As youth are released they must go back to stop the number of youth going in by positive al‐ school, but after establishing a life in the system ternatives? Reducing the number of youth in de‐ they don’t know how to connect with society tention will have a big impact on the youth’s life, again. School must be in their lives when a youth well‐being, and the community. is detained; doing this will help loosen the stress

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 35 YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

INTRODUCTION

There are over 1 million homeless youth in the forces them to shun help in order to remain un‐ United States,104 and close to 800,000 who are noticed. In other instances, youth may become predicted to become homeless annually.105 homeless when separated from their families by Within Arizona, over 15,000 youth are home‐ strict shelter or transitional home rules, or even less,106 a problem highlighted by a 2007 Depart‐ by the child welfare policies meant to protect ment of Economic Security report that asserted them. youth homelessness as a critical issue affecting The barriers which homeless youth face de‐ the future development of the state. mand the immediate attention of both policy‐ With rapidly increasing numbers, homeless makers and community leaders. The following youth are an often unheard population. In many recommendations are an attempt to alleviate cases, they leave home to escape lives endan‐ the problem which many young people struggle

gered by drug, physical, mental, or sexual abuse. with on a daily basis. ~ These runaways are subject to arrest, which

DEFINITION BY VALERIA LOPEZ Recommendation: Advocate that youth homeless serving agencies adopt the definition used in the McKinney­Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Nationwide studies point out that there is a high cause homeless youth serving agencies inter‐ rate of homelessness among adolescents. The pret each definition in different ways. exact rate is not specified for one major reason: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban De‐ there is no single definition for youth homeless‐ velopment (HUD) defines homelessness as an ness. This issue causes obvious problems be individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and ade‐ HUD, but is expanded to cover other groups of quate nighttime residence; and an individual who people and living situations. The McKinney‐Vento has a primary nighttime residence that is (a) su­ Act is a United States federal law that provides pervised publicly or privately operated shelter de­ federal money for shelter programs. It originally signed to provide temporary accommodations covered fifteen programs that provide services to (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and homeless people, including the Continuum of Care transitional housing for the mentally ill); (b) an Programs: the Supportive Housing Programs, the institution that provides a temporary residence for Shelter Plus Care Program, the Single Room Occu‐ individuals intended to be institutionalized; or (c) a pancy Program, as well as the Emergency Shelter public or private place not designed for, or ordinar­ Grant Program. It also established what is now ily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for called the Interagency and Community Council on human beings.107 Homelessness. The legislation has been amended several times since it was first written and au‐ This current definition does not match the reality thorized. of who is homeless nationwide. In addition, it ex‐ cludes many children and youth. Today’s home‐ less youth are at high risk of becoming tomor‐ row’s homeless adults; if agencies do not imple‐ ment policies that are responsive to the needs of youth, homelessness will continue for genera‐ tions. Broad definitions that define homeless indi‐ viduals who are highly mobile “between places of abode” or who lack “emotional support and sta‐ bility in the place of residence” are not very spe‐ cific and leave too much room for interpreta‐ tion.108 A more rational and realistic definition of homeless adolescents is vital, and without a change in wording clear dilemmas will surface. In The expanded definition of the McKinney‐Vento many instances, homeless youth are not afforded Act includes children and youth who share hous‐ the proper services because their living situation ing due to economic hardship, living in emergency does not specifically match the vague definitions or transitional shelters, abandoned in hospitals, that are used by some service providers. or awaiting for foster care placement. In compari‐ son with the HUD definition, the McKinney‐Vento For this reason, the McKinney‐Vento Homeless Act includes all individuals who do not have a sta‐ Assistance Act, which was signed into law by ble home, not just some. It also covers children President Ronald Reagan in 1987, has defined and youth who have a primary nighttime resi‐ homeless children and youth as individuals who dence that is a public or private place not de‐ lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime resi‐ signed ordinarily for a regular sleeping accommo‐ dence. This definition is similar to the one used by dation for human beings.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 37

DEFINITION CONT. FROM LAST PAGE

Children and youth who live in cars, parks, public agencies to adopt the definition used in the ?: spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard hous‐ McKinney‐Vento Act. s ing, bus or train stations, or other similar settings are also included. All of the places mentioned are typically used for sleeping, and are described in the original act so that agencies would have a clearer definition of homelessness.109

This definition meets the needs of those children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. The importance of having an accurate definition that coincides with actual homelessness cannot be understated. Misinterpretation by agencies that use less descriptive and accurate definitions are often forced to turn away homeless children and youth who are in desperate need of assis‐ tance, further complicating their living situations. The Committee on Youth Experiencing Homeless‐ ness strongly urges all youth homeless serving

. RUNAWAYS BY COURTNEY ROTHWELL

Recommendation 1: Create low­demand shelters for youth. Recommendation 2: Modify CPS guidelines so that runaways are not immediately sent home. .

“I had a client who ran away from an abusive youth increases immensely, becoming a trend home in California and traveled to Phoenix. Be‐ among youth in Arizona. In conjunction with the cause of his past, he would come in for five min‐ increased number of youth, shelter space for utes, terrified to speak to anyone, and run right unidentified runaway youth is scarce through‐ back out. I eventually started doing art projects out the entire state. Tumbleweed Center for with him, because it was the only way I could Youth Development resources state that in get him to express his feelings and creativity.”110 2004, Arizona law enforcement agencies filed

Every year, the number of runaway homeless 5,534 arrest reports for runaways.

PAGE 38 COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS The number of runaway reports annually has means of shelter, which can put them in much been slowly increasing over the past several more danger than if they have assistance from years.111 Runaways are commonly the result of these state agencies. conflicts between parents or family members. In fact, according to the National Runaway In order to prevent future runaways, awareness Switchboard, in a 2008 report, 47 percent of of runaway youth is crucial in Arizona. Parents runaway / homeless youth indicated that con‐ can be more aware of the necessary steps to flict between them and their parent or guardian take in the event their child runs away by be‐ was a major problem. Over 50 percent of youth coming well informed about services available in shelters and on the streets reported that their to both their child and the family. Also, Child parents either told them to leave or knew they Protective Services policies need to be re‐ were leaving but did not evaluated. According to care. In addition, abuse is case managers, Child a common trend with run‐ Protective Services’ aways. According to the policies sometimes National Runaway make situations at Switchboard, 80 percent home worse, resulting of runaway and homeless in multiple runaways girls reported having and loss of communica‐ been sexually or physi‐ tion between the youth cally abused. Thirty‐four and their caseworkers. percent of runaway youth Child Protective Ser‐ (girls and boys) reported vices employees should sexual abuse before leav‐ be required to follow ing home, and 43 percent strict guidelines when of runaway youth (girls working with their and boys) reported physi‐ youth. Additionally, a cal abuse before leaving low demand shelter for home.112 vulnerable youth needs State law enforcement to be created. Particu‐ agencies and Child Protec‐ larly youth ages 18‐24 tive Services are required to return runaways to have no safe shelter they can resort to in the their homes if the circumstances are not deter‐ case of a runaway, and youth care workers have mined to be harmful. “CPS needs to be com‐ no place to send these vulnerable youth when pletely reconstructed. Sending a child back to they are in need of shelter. This low demand their home after they ran away is never a good shelter would provide a place for these youth to idea because the child always has a reason they sleep without requiring a commitment to a long left.”113 Runaways that are not yet reported to term program. state agencies are forced to find their own

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 39 . YOUTH IDENTIFICATION BY ALISON GOULDER

Recommendation 1: Create a valid homeless ID that can be used to obtain vital records. Recommendation 2: Develop a statewide ID to be used at all shelters. Recommendation 3: Create a system that allows temporary access for resources while waiting for ID.

The issue of identification for cally, you must bring valid identi‐ homeless youth is incredibly im‐ fication with you when you apply. portant, yet it is one that has been If one of your forms of identifica‐ largely ignored. Homeless teens tion has a photo, you will need encounter numerous obstacles if only two. If not, you will need they do not have identification, three forms of identification.”114 including the inability to apply for So the question remains, how can a job or enroll in a school. Without homeless teens obtain necessary a job or an education, it is nearly identification when they need impossible for these teens to es‐ other forms of identification to do cape from homelessness. In addi‐ so? Arizona state legislature must tion, if teens without identification determine and put into action a are caught and convicted of tres‐ method to provide youth the op‐ passing, their punishment could portunity and ability to acquire be much more severe than if they identification in order to access had had a form of identification. It the social services available to is a catch‐22 dilemma: homeless them. teens need identification in order An employee at Skrappy’s, a youth to apply for jobs and access other community center in Tucson, ad‐ resources that could help them dressed the issue of identification escape from poverty and home‐ for homeless youth by saying, lessness; however, in order to ap‐ “[Sending off for identification] ply for an Arizona state identifica‐ can take six to eight weeks, so tion card, applicants must first they still don’t have any identifica‐ submit a valid form of identifica‐ tion. More time is gone. The child tion. The website DMV.org, a guide is still sleeping under a tree while to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Divi‐ we are trying to get the paper‐ sion (MVD), acknowledges this work.”115 A case manager at the paradox stating “You will need to Tumbleweed Center for Youth De‐ visit the Motor Vehicle Division velopment further addressed this (MVD) or one of its third‐party issue by explaining, “Kids get offices to submit your ID card ap‐ caught with no Social Security plication form. Somewhat ironi‐ number…[they] can’t get jobs,

PAGE 40 COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS housing, or [attend] school with‐ that is universally accepted at out ID.”116 Tumbleweed helps to homeless youth shelters across address these matters by provid‐ the state so that teens have ac‐ ing their youth with temporary cess to resources from different forms of identification. These shelters in different locations. Tumbleweed IDs can then be Youth should also be given ac‐ used to obtain permanent forms cess to temporary services such of identification, like a birth cer‐ as shelters while waiting to re‐ tificate or Social Security card. ceive such identification. Although this is a helpful meas‐ In addition to changing the regu‐ ure, not all youth will be fortu‐ lations for obtaining permanent nate enough to be serviced by forms of identification for home‐ Tumbleweed. In order to avoid less youth, the Arizona legisla‐ this cumbersome bureaucratic ture should distribute informa‐ obstacle, the state legislature tional brochures or pamphlets to should reduce the number of youth centers like Tumbleweed forms of identification needed in order to inform teens of their for homeless youth to obtain options regarding obtaining valid state identification from identification. Funding should three (3) forms to one (1). A also be provided to youth cen‐ Tumbleweed or similar ID could ters in order to facilitate the pro‐ therefore suffice to obtain a So‐ duction of identification. cial Security card and birth cer‐ tificate. Youth would need to be Identification for homeless officially declared homeless by a youth is a critical yet overlooked center like Tumbleweed to en‐ issue. However, the aforemen‐ sure that only true homeless tioned steps can be taken by the teens are receiving identification state legislature in order to cor‐ from Tumbleweed and similar rect this problem and help Ari‐ organizations. Furthermore, zona teens escape the vicious there should be one shelter ID cycle of homelessness.

.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 41 . BEYOND ECONOMICS: HOW LIFESTYLES AFFECT THE HOMELESS POPULATION BY ANDRES CANO

“I don’t see a brighter future. Look at where I’m The Governor’s Youth Commission strongly be­ at now.” These are the words of an 18 year‐old lieves in equal opportunities for all. We have re­ young man living on the streets of Southern Ari‐ searched social services throughout Arizona, and zona. As a high school student, he had always make the following recommendations. questioned his sexuality but never spoke with anyone about it. Five months ago he made the Lack of Targeted Focus on the decision to tell his parents; the conversation did GLBT Community

not go well. A simple, quiet evening turned into Services for the homeless are usually easily chaos and the young man was asked to leave his found. A quick search on the internet can provide home. This kind of situation is common among dates and locations for things like homeless feed‐ homeless youth. Family conflict is considered to ings, clothing banks, and shelters. Some, how‐ be the primary cause of homelessness‐‐‐ straight ever, say it’s not common to see the GLBT com‐ or gay.117 munity at these places. Instead, gay teens prefer

assistance from friends and people they trust. Of the estimated 1.6 million homeless American “When I went to my first (homeless) feeding, youth, between 20 and 40 percent identify as people wouldn’t stop staring at me,” recalled one gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT.)118 gay teenager, who has since found a job and Researchers say the number is actually higher, home. “I ended up just sticking with friends and since many do not report or speak about their completely ignored any help I could get.” preference. In any case, service providers across the United States are seeing a growing number of An employee at Skrappy’s in Tucson says there is GLBT teens needing services. Gay youth are com‐ a tremendous need for GLBT‐friendly programs ing out of the closet at earlier ages and, in turn, and services. thousands are without a home because of it.

PAGE 42 COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS “I think there should be segregation,” she nity not using services because of a fear of said, “because how can you feel safe when religious backlash. In order to ensure equal protection under the law, federal you have a different lifestyle and don’t legislation needs to ensure that recipients even know the person next to you. These of government money be “committed to kids are made to feel like they’ve done the safe and appropriate treatment of something drastically wrong. It’s not any‐ GLBT homeless youth, with penalties for non‐compliance including the loss of gov‐ thing you can change, like you do the ernment funding.”120 There are countless color of your hair.” stories of discrimination against gay

The Governor's Youth Commission urges teens seeking assistance; equality should community organizations to implement be enforced promptly. targeted programs for the GLBT commu­ nity. This ensures that gay youth feel safe, More than a Home and are getting the social services they need in order to become healthy, produc­ Maricopa County has an exceptional pro‐ tive adults. gram designed for GLBT youth in need. The GreenHouse Project is part of Tum‐ Federal Money and Faith­based bleweed, a non‐profit serving the younger Organizations homeless population in the Phoenix area. One highlight is GreenHouse’s Transi‐ Many of the services mentioned above— tional Housing Program, which provides feedings, shelters, clothing banks, etc.— 18‐24 year old GLBT teens a safe, tempo‐ are often left for the community to pro‐ rary living environment. Not only is a vide. In our research, we saw an excep‐ home provided, but participants also re‐ tional amount of churches stepping up to ceive a variety of resources to make ends address this problem. meet, including grocery gift cards, bus In 2002, President George W. Bush signed passes, and clothing. A participant was an executive order allowing faith‐based quoted saying the following, “I came out organizations to receive federal money in as gay, then trans(exual), and before you order to provide assistance for the home‐ knew it, I was out on the streets. The less.119 Those who receive services at (GreenHouse) program introduced me to these religious institutions are often so many resources and people in the com‐ asked to pray and help at the church. Not munity that it totally changed me.”121 only is this a barrier for non‐believers, says an employee of gay‐rights agency On the outside, this may seem like a tradi‐ Wingspan—but there is a huge problem tional program serving homeless youth. with tax‐payer money going towards or‐ But when you scratch deeper into the sur‐ ganizations that have the potential to dis‐ face, this is a place where GLBT teens in enfranchise the community. “Far too of‐ need of assistance feel welcome and ac‐ ten gay people are alienated from faith cepted. Their sexuality, according to pro‐ organizations,” he explained. “They feel ject managers, is something that is em‐ like if they have to choose between being braced, not ridiculed. This kind of service gay or having their faith. Young people is one that is successful and should be in worry about being teased and decide to all communities. State and federal gov‐ stay on the street.” ernments must secure funding to provide

We applaud the efforts of religious insti‐ housing options for all homeless youth. It tutions lending a helping hand to the dis‐ is irresponsible to allow our most under‐ advantaged. However, there are legiti‐ privileged populations to be continually mate concerns about the GLBT commu‐ cut.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 43 . ADULTISM BY SABRA NUEL

Adultism is defined as adults having a bias to‐ need to better their situations. Instead, they just wards youth caused by negative, generalized so‐ said this is what you are going to do. This had a cietal views held by adults.122 This negatively negative impact on youth. For example, kids who impacts the relationships among adults and “age‐out’ of foster care when they turn 18 often youth causing communication between these become homeless because they became used to two groups to minimize. This problem is espe‐ having every aspect of their lives dictated, mak‐ cially seen among case workers. Often casework‐ ing them lose the ability to have control to man‐ age their lives and start off on their own.”123

The negative effects of adultism can be reversed by adopting a formulated approach to help case‐ workers meet and create opportunities for youth experiencing homelessness. Positive youth devel‐ opment is the “approach which suggests that helping young people to achieve their full poten‐ tial is the best way to prevent them from engag‐ ing in risky behaviors.”124 It is important to real‐ ize the thriving potential each youth has to offer. To encourage them to actively participate within their communities is a key step to ensure their full potential is successfully met. Through accep‐ ers are either a contributor to the adultism prob‐ tance within their communities and having their lem, or they simply are unaware as to how to ap‐ voices heard, youth will gain the self‐confidence proach and effectively help youth in the proper needed to make sound decisions. way. Our goal is to promote the positive development Some caseworkers seem to view homeless youth of youth within the state of Arizona. In doing this, as inferior to their other clients, or that they are we look to create a sense of empowerment criminals and troublemakers. As a result, case‐ among youth experiencing homelessness. The workers do not see how their skills can guide this youth manager from Magellan Health Services important population. Adultism in this instance asserts, “The [positive youth development] is defined as being a contributor to the issue of model will empower youth and enable them to homelessness among youth. A youth manager have better outcomes.125 This may help them get from Magellan Health Services further explains, out of homelessness or prevent them from be‐ “For years and years no one ever asked youth coming homeless in the first place.”126 what they felt they needed or what they would

PAGE 44 COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS However, in order to effectively reap the benefits the effects of continuous adultism. This is done of the model, positive changes must be instilled when the positive effects made by youth through within youth. And in order to promote the proc‐ the resources provided under the positive youth ess of making these choices, youth need to be development approach are observed and facili‐ given the proper resources. tated by case workers.

These proper resources include: recruiting young Individuals within every area of a youth’s life are people to volunteer for local organizations, show‐ able to make a difference. These individuals in‐ ing youth how to start their own newspapers or clude policymakers, businesses, non‐profit or‐ websites, teaching young people to conduct sur‐ ganizations, teachers, parents, and case manag‐ veys on community and school resources, encour‐ ers. These individuals serve as the catalyst for aging local businesses to sponsor job fairs and job providing care, encouragement, and support shadowing days, inviting youth to serve on the through all endeavors. Being active in the lives of boards of local nonprofit organizations, and cre‐ today’s youth promotes the natural process of ating a youth board that advises state or local positive youth development. governments on issues young people care about such as violence prevention, transportation, and after‐school activities.127 The youth manager at Magellan Health Services explains that, “when case managers work with homeless youth, they need to use this model to ensure that homeless youth have opportunities.”128 There are several organizations which strive to constructively ad‐ dress the issue of youth homelessness. Examples of these organizations include, but are not limited to, Skrappy’s, MyLife, Tumbleweed, and Home‐ Base. Within these organizations, many opportu‐ nities have been created for homeless youth. For We recommend that case managers are provided example, “[Tumbleweed encourages homeless training in the positive development model. We youth to] get involved with work‐like activities also recommend that case managers use positive through their t‐shirt company. This enables them youth development techniques when working to learn about the workforce, earn extra cash, and with youth experiencing homelessness. use their newly acquired skills to better their situations.”129 Providing these opportunities will benefit relationships between case workers and youth experiencing homelessness by clarifying

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 45 . IMPROVING PROCEDURES FOR PROVIDING FOR HOMELESS YOUTH BY NILO THOMAS

One very important issue that plays a large role not allowed to be counted as homeless.” Running in the number of homeless youth in Arizona is away from home is considered a crime in some the lack of investigation into the home situation jurisdictions, but it is usually a status offense of youth found to be runaways. In many cases, punished with probation or not at all. Giving aid homeless youth leave home to escape violent or assistance to a runaway instead of turning family situations. Problems such as drug, physi‐ them in to the police is a more serious crime cal, mental or sexual abuse are some of the rea‐ called harboring a runaway. It is typically a mis‐ sons that youth find themselves living on the demeanor. Many parents do not take in friends of streets. Some youth may become homeless along their children who admit to being a runaway be‐ with their families, but are later separated from cause of current laws, so many homeless youth them by shelter, transitional housing, or child deny being homeless. Another reason that makes welfare policies. Many homeless youth are sub‐ it difficult to document homeless youth is be‐ ject to arrest as runaways, which is a strong in‐ cause many of them fear being placed in a foster centive for them to remain unnoticed or denied system that leads to multiple relocations. . homelessness. Government programs and indi‐ “I would rather put up with my [abusive] vidual agencies all have different entrance and grandma than get stuck in the system again,” exit age requirements as part of their definitions says Jake, a sixteen year old former homeless of homeless youth. One program may accept youth from Phoenix. Jake escaped from an abu‐ youth from 13‐21, while another may stop the sive mother when he was five years old and program for youth older than 18. Many homeless roamed the “system” for almost two years until youth may need services well into their twenties, his grandmother finally took him in at the age of and are forced to seek those services from multi‐ seven. Once with his grandmother Jake realized ple programs.130 that it was no different than living with his Many youth do not identify themselves as home‐ mother and as a result he tried to run away sev‐ less if they have a car, a tent, or a friend’s couch eral times. That was when he learned how the to sleep on.131 According to the Tucson Planning system works. He says, “They [social workers] Committee for the Homeless, “Government rules never believe the kids. They all assume that state that a person who denies homelessness is we’re all spoiled brats looking for attention.”132

PAGE 46 COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS Jake has made many friends during his time on their only option is to run away. Information the streets; some of whom are homeless as well. should be distributed to students about safe “I never tell any of my friends I’m homeless be‐ homes and shelters for them to turn to where cause they’ll try to help and I’ll end up back in the they will not be considered a runaway until an system or worse with my mom and step dad,” ad‐ investigation is completed. There needs to be a mits Mike, one of Jake’s friends.133 Many youth better procedure for determining the way to han‐ see only the negative aspects of the current child dle homeless youth. Youth who are considered protection system. runaways should have a process to go through in

. Since January, Jake has been living with a friend order to determine their home life. Regulations in Phoenix. After six years of living on and off the should be established to help schools, churches, streets Jake has finally found a stable home with and social workers better analyze dangerous liv‐ the help of his social worker. With assistance, ing situations to prevent youth from running Jake is legally moving in with his friend temporar‐ away and promote an understanding of the safe ily so he won’t become another “statistic”.134 havens and shelters that are available.

. Procedures and regulations need to be created and followed to prevent youth from feeling that

STATEWIDE FORUM

Only seven Arizona counties have programs serving homeless youth, leaving youth in the re‐ maining eight counties without critical resources. This number has not changed in four years.135 Currently, agencies and governmental programs However, at least 10 agencies within the state of serving homeless youth within the state of Ari‐ Arizona solely serve youth or offer services to zona generally work independently.136 With the homeless youth (i.e. HomeBase Youth Services, worsening economic climate, and the variety of Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development, different practices, the creation of a statewide Skrappy’s, Casa de Los Niños, Open Inn, Inc.). forum for individual agencies geared specifically While a local organization would be most effec‐ towards homeless youth could greatly benefit the tive in providing services to homeless youth, col‐ state of Arizona. Modeled after the Arizona Coali‐ laboration between existing agencies would tion to End Homelessness, a new forum would maximize outreach and be critical to ending allow agencies to come together and share youth homelessness. strategies, practices, and resources in order to

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 47

STATEWIDE FORUM CONT. FROM LAST PAGE

create the best solution to effectively address their needs. This new forum can be achieved through one of two means: the creation of a new coalition on youth homelessness, or by creating a sector fo‐ cusing specifically on youth within the existing Ari‐ zona coalition. The current Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness focuses on public policy advo‐ cacy on a local, state, and federal level, increasing awareness, and providing workshops and training opportunities to local agencies while hosting the largest annual conference on homelessness within Arizona.137 While this new forum would include aspects such as a conference and training opportu‐ nities, it would operate primarily as a facilitator between individual agencies in order to allow vides resources and help for youth of all ages. The them to share effective practices. state of Arizona can use Safe Place as a model to

Using the Internet create an Internet‐based communication resource In this era of technology, instant communication is specifically for agencies within Arizona. Serving as a key component in resolving problems. The Na‐ an open forum for youth care workers, youth shel‐ tional Safe Place, Safety Net for Youth is an online ter executives, and training and technical assis‐ collaboration of youth care workers, youth shelter tance providers, a collaborative Internet communi‐ executives, and youth homelessness providers.138 A cation resource would allow Arizona’s agencies to network of sites sustained by qualified agencies share effective practices and tips. and trained volunteers; Safety Net for Youth pro‐

CONCLUSION

The impact of youth homelessness is essentially twofold. On the forefront, a generation of youth are suffering “physical abuse, sexual exploitation, mental health disabilities, chemical or alcohol dependency, and even death” because they are returned to a dangerous home environment after running away.139 By failing to address the problem of youth homelessness yields a long term effect of lost potential of an entire population as homeless youth who are unable to enter the workforce for a lack of skills and knowledge.

Within this section the following policy recommendations were explored: creation of a common definition of homeless youth, revision of CPS policies, establishment of a low­demand youth shelter, collaboration between indi­ vidual agencies within the state of Arizona, addressing GLBT homeless youth, eliminating adultism, and providing a means of identification for current homeless youth. While these areas are important in addressing the issue of ? youth homelessness, it is vital to take further measures in preventing additional youth from living on the streets. ,

PAGE 4846 COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

FOOTNOTES COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION:

1 "Education spending (% of GDP) (most recent) by country." NationMaster. 2006. 6 Apr. 2009 2 "Per pupil spending by state." EPodunk. June 2004. 07 Apr. 2009 3 U.S. Department of Education. Institute of Education Sciences. National Center for Educational Statistics. 23 Mar. 2006. 6 Apr. 2009 4 Edwards, Virginia B. Diplomas Count: Arizona. Publication. 12 June 2007. Editorial Projects in Education. < http://www.edweek.org/media/ew/dc/2007/az_SGB07.pdf > 5 "About the Crisis." Alliance for Excellent Education. 9 Apr. 2007. 6 Apr. 2009 6 “Bridging the Grad Gap | Center for the Future of Arizona (application/pdf Object).” 23 Apr 2009 7 “The High School Dropout's Economic Ripple Effect ‐ WSJ.com.” 7 Apr 2009 . 8 “Dropout Rate Study.” 20 Feb 2009 . 9 Louisiana Department of Education. 9 Jan. 2009. Louisiana Department of Education. 24 Mar. 2009 . 10 Jobs for America’s Graduates. “Homepage.” http://www.jag.org/. 11 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 12 "The Silent Epidemic :: Why High School Students Drop Out." The Silent Epidemic :: Solutions to America's High School Drop Out Crisis. 16 Apr. 2009 . 13 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 14 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior, EVIT Student. 15 Apr.2009. 15 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior. 10 Feb. 2009 16 NYLC: Unsupported Browser. 07 Apr. 2009 . 17 NYLC: Unsupported Browser. 07 Apr. 2009 . 18 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior. 10 Feb. 2009. 19 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 20 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 21 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 22 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 23 CCA: Career College Association. 07 Apr. 2009 . 24 "Impact of Participation in Service‐Learning on High School Students' Civic Engagement, (The) | Learn and Serve America's National Service‐Learning Clearinghouse." National Service‐Learning Clearinghouse. 7 Apr. 2009 . 25 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior. 9 Feb. 2009

A

FOOTNOTES COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION:

26 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior, EVIT Student. 15 Apr. 2009. 27 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior, EVIT Student. 15 Apr. 2009. 28 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior, EVIT Student. 15 Apr. 2009. 29 Personal Interview. Hamilton High School Junior, EVIT Student. 15 Apr. 2009. 30 Personal Interview. Flagstaff High School. April 30,2009 31 Personal Interview. Tulane University. April 18, 2009 32 Personal Interview. Red Mountain High School. April 22, 2009 33 Personal Interview. Red Mountain High School. April 22, 2009 34 Personal Interview. Red Mountain High School. January 2009 35 http://www.arizonaea.org/pdfs/politics/rally_for_education.pdf 36 Means, Barbara “ Critical Issues: Using Technology to Enhance Encaged Learning for At‐ Risk Students” Northern Central Regional Educational Laboratory 2004. 24 April 2009 37 Personal Interview. Red Mountain High School. January 2009 38 Personal Interview. Red Mountain High School. April 22, 2009 39 Pytel, Barbara. “Dropouts Give Reasons.” Suite101.com. http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/ dropouts_give_reasons 40 Personal Interview. Red Mountain High School. April 22, 2009 41 Personal interview. Red Mountain High School. April 24, 2009 42 "High School Graduation Steering Committee Meeting Minutes." 15 May 2008. Issaquah School District #411.

FOOTNOTES COMMITTEE TO PREVENT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

43 www.womenslaw.org 44 www.wcstx.com 45 Personal Interview 46Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Is It Abuse? Dating Violence. 47 Bureau of Justice Statistics Press Release 48 U.S. Dept of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics. Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993‐99 49 http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/statistics.htm 50 http://www.breakthecycle.org/pdf/2009‐state‐report‐cards/state‐report‐card‐arizona‐2009.pdf 52 Personal Interview. Forgach House. December 22, 2009. 53 http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2008/7/2/statewide_dating_violence_bill.html 54 http://www.azcentral.com/community/northvalley/articles/0129abrk‐bodies.html 55 http://www.azcentral.com/community/northvalley/articles/0129abrk‐bodies.html 56 http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/portillo/263566 57http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0217threats‐papers0217.html 58 Personal Interview. Phoenix Family Advocacy Center. October 28, 2009. 59 http://www.cir.org/agency.html 60 Liz Claiborne Inc.

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FOOTNOTES COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION:

61Escher, Patricia. "Key Note Presentation." Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission Three‐Year Strategic Planning Meeting. Sheraton Crescent Hotel, Phoenix. 20 Nov. 2008. 62 State‐Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups. Baltimore, Maryland: An‐ nie E. Casey Foundation, 2008. 63 State‐Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups. Baltimore, Maryland: An‐ nie E. Casey Fo, 2008. 64 Sickmund, Melissa, Sladky, T.J., and Kang, Wei (2004), “Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement Databook.” Online.Available: http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/cjrp/. 65 Kashani, J.H., Manning, G.W., McKnew D.H., Cytryn, L., Simonds, J.F. and Wooderson, P.C. (1980), “Depression Among Incarcerated Delinquents.” Psychiatry Resources Volume 3 185‐191; Forrest, C.B., Tambor, E., Riley, A.W., Ensminger, M.E. and Starfield, B. (2000), “The Health Profile of Incarcer‐ ated Male Youths.” Pediatrics Vol. 105, No. 1 286‐291. 66 Bezruki, D., Varana, D. and Hill, C. (1999), An Evaluation of Secure. Juvenile Detention. Madison WI: Legislative Audit Bureau. 67 Aos, S. (2002), The Juvenile Justice System in Washington State: Recommendations to Improve Cost‐ Effectiveness. Olympia, Washington: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. 68Hubner, J. and Wolfson, J. Unlocking the Future: Detention Reform in the Juvenile Justice System. Washington, DC: Coalition for Juvenile Justice. 69 Personal Interview. Phoenix. January 20, 2009 70State‐Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups. Baltimore, Maryland: An‐ nie E. Casey Fo, 2008. 71Sickmund, M. and Snyder, H. (1997), Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1997 Update on Violence—. Statistical Summary, Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. 72 Sickmund, M., Sladky, T.J., and Kang, W. (2004), “Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement Data‐ book.” http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/cjrp/. 73Sickmund, Melissa, Sladky, T.J., and Kang, Wei (2004), “Census of Juveniles in Residential Placement Databook.” Online.Available: http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/cjrp/. 74 Holman, Barry, and Jason Ziedenberg. The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities. Washington, D.C.: The Justice Policy Institute. 75 Holman, Barry, and Jason Ziedenberg. The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities. Washington, D.C.: The Justice Policy Institute. 76 Escher, Patricia. "Key Note Presentation." Arizona Juvenile Justice Commission Three‐Year Strategic Planning Meeting. Sheraton Crescent Hotel, Phoenix. 20 Nov. 2008. 77 State‐Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups. Baltimore, Maryland: An‐ nie E. Casey Fo, 2008. 78 State‐Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups. Baltimore, Maryland: An‐ nie E. Casey Fo, 2008. 79 Coalition for Juvenile Justice. “What are the Implications of Adolescent Brain Development for Juve‐ nile Justice?” Juvjustice.org. 25 March 2005. . 80STATE‐LEVEL DETENTION REFORM: A PRACTICE GUIDE FOR STATE ADVISORY GROUPS. N.p.: The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2008. 81 Annie E. Casey Foundation. State‐Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 51

FOOTNOTES COMMITTEE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE & SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION:

82 Coalition for Juvenile Justice. “Esperanza! Awakening to the Strength of Latino Youth: Report on the 6th Annual Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Training Conference.” Juvijustice.org. 25 March 2009 . 83 A Summary of Best Practices in School Reentry for Incarcerated Youth Returning Home. Virginia Board of Edu‐ cation. Nov. 2004 . 84 Coalition for Juvenile Justice. “Esperanza! Awakening to the Strength of Latino Youth: Report on the 6th Annual Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Training Conference.” Juvijustice.org. 25 March 2009 . 85 Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. Bach Harrison, LLC. Arizona Youth Survey. Arizona, 2008. 69. 8 Apr. 2009 . 86 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Model Policies for Juvenile Justice and Substance Abuse Treatment.” Re‐ claiming Futures. 25 March 2009 . 87"What is SCHIP?" SCHIP Information Center. The National Center For Public Policy Research. 25 May 2009 . 88 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Model Policies for Juvenile Justice and Substance Abuse Treatment.” Re‐ claiming Futures. 25 March 2009 . 89 Holman, Barry, and Ziedenberg, Jason. “The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Deten‐ tion and Other Secure Facilities.” Justice Policy Institute. 90 Coalition for Juvenile Justice. “What are the Implications of Adolescent Brain Development for Juvenile Jus‐ tice?” Juvjustice.org. 25 March 2005. . 91 Griso, Thomas (2004), Double Jepardy: Adolescent Offenders with Mental Disorders. University of Chicago Press. 92 Coalition for Juvenile Justice (2000), Coalition for Juvenile Justice 2000 Annual Report: Handle With Care Serv‐ ing the Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders, An Overview. Washington, D.C. 93 Coalition for Juvenile Justice (2000), Coalition for Juvenile Justice 2000 Annual Report: Handle With Care Serv‐ ing the Mental Health Needs of Young Offenders, An Overview. Washington, D.C. 94 Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (2000). Female delinquency cases, 1997. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice 95 Washington’s Governor’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (2008). At‐Risk and Delinquent Girls in the Ju‐ venile Justice System. Seattle, Washington. 96 Unique Needs of Girls in the Juvenile Justice System. 97Owen, B. & Bloom B. (1998). Modeling Genders Specific Services in Juvenile Justice: Final Report to the Office of Criminal Justice Planning, Sacramento CA: OCJP. 98American Bar Association & the National Bar Association (2001). Justice by Gender. Washington, D.C. 99 Personal interview. Juvenile Probation Department of Maricopa County. December 23, 2008. 100 Personal Interview. Pinal County Detention Center. 101 Dugery, Jacqueline, and James Knowles, eds. University and Community Research Partnerships: A New Ap‐ proach. 2003. PEW Partnership for Civic Change. 23 Mar. 2009 . 102 Hollman, Barry, and Ziedenberg, Jason. “The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in de‐ tention and other Secure Facilities.” Justice Policy Institute: 12 103 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Model Policies for Juvenile Justice and Substance Abuse Treatment.” Re‐ claiming Futures. 25 March 2009 http://www.rwjf.org?files?research?3426.33714.reclaimingfutures1.pdf.

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FOOTNOTES COMMITTEE ON YOUTH EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS:

104 "Homeless Youth Among US” 105 "US Department of Education” 106 "Tucson Planning Council 2003‐2004” 107 "McKinney‐Vento." National Center for Homeless Education. 2009. 20 April 2009 . 108 Cooray, Mary. "Homeless Youth." 1995. 20 April 2009 . 109 "Homeless." Homes and Communites. 2009. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 20 April 2009 . 110 Case Manager. "Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development." Personal interview. 5 Jan. 2009. 111 “Overview." Tumbleweed Center For Youth Development. Ed. Tumbleweed Center for Youth Devel‐ opment. 15 Feb. 2009 . 112 "Third Party Runaway Statistics." National Runaway Switchboard. Ed. National Runaway Switchboard. Feb. & march 2009 . 113 Youth Care Worker. "Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development." Personal interview. 5 Jan. 2009. 114 Identification Cards.” DMV.org. 2009. 15 Feb. 2009 . 115 Personal Interview. Skrappy’s. 116 Personal Interview. Tumbleweed Center For Youth Development. 117 USA Today, "Gay Teens Coming Out Earlier To Peers and Family," Marilyn Elias (2007) 118 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness" (2007) 119 Presidential Executive Order 13279, "Equal Protection of the Laws for Faith‐Based and Community Organizations" (2002) 120 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: An Epidemic of Homelessness, Executive Summary" (2007) 121 N'Touch Magazine, "Youth Credits Shelter For Saving Her Life" (April 2009) 122 Dictionary, “Adultism.” (2009) Web. 28 March 2009. . 123 Personal Interview. Magellan Health Services. April 28, 2009. 124 National Clearinghouse on Families and Youth, "Positive Youth Development." (2008) Web.28 March 2009. . 125 Coxum, Julliet. "What is Positive Youth Development?." (2007) Web.28 May 2009. . 126 Personal Interview. Magellan Health Services. April 28, 2009. 127 Hamilton, Stephen 'and' Hamilton, Mary Agnes 'and' Pittman, Karen. "Principles for Youth Develop‐ ment." (2004) Web.28 May 2009 . 128 Personal Interview. Magellan Health Services. April 28, 2009. 129 Personal Interview. Magellan Health Services. April 28, 2009. 130 CHILDREN’S ACTION ALLIANCE‐ Homeless Youth in Arizona informational flyer 131 2007 Homeless Youth Fact Sheet‐ Tucson Planning Committee for the Homeless 132 “Jake.” Former Homeless Youth. Personal Interview. 133 “Mike.” Personal Interview. 134 “Jake’s” case worker. Personal Interview. 135 “ Children’s Action Alliance,” 19, Jan. 2009 http://www.azchildren.org/. 136 “Tumbleweed Center for Youth Development,” 26, Dec. 2009 http://www.tumbleweed.org/. 137 “Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness,” 21 Jan. 2009 http://www.azceh.org/.

138 "National Safe Place," 26 Feb. 2009 http://www.nationalsafeplace.org 139 National Alliance to End Homelessness.

ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF TODAY’S YOUTH PAGE 53

Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families Division for Community & Youth Development

1700 W. Washington Street, Suite 101 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 542‐3422 www.gocyf.az.gov