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Juvenile Justice shows progress: 5/16/2013 by Illinois Times; by Patrick Yeagle; When the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice was created in 2006, the state’s youth prisons held 1,500 juvenile offenders. Today, there are fewer than 900 kids behind bars in Illinois…
Two Major Juvenile Justice Bills Passed in Illinois Senate: 5/15/2013 by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange; by James Swift; On Tuesday, Illinois state senators passed two bills with potentially profound implications on the state’s juvenile justice system.
‘Math tutoring on steroids’ aims to help troubled Chicago teens, muscle out crime: 5/12/2013 by Chicago Sun-Times; by Frank Main; Math kills crime. That’s the result researchers expect from a program that combines “math tutoring on steroids” with sports-based mentoring for troubled teens in Chicago.
One Case Makes the Case for Community Based Services: 5/8/2013 by Youth Today; by Judge George W. Timberlake, Ret.; CHICAGO -- The national debate continues over the issues of guns and violence, but attention to the subject of mental health services and funding must not be lost. We cannot miss the opportunity to…
Editorial: State can be a leader in juvenile justice: 5/7/2013 by Chicago Sun-Times; In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that juveniles should not be sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. But the court didn’t address two issues. What about juveniles who…
Juvenile Justice: Program in Illinois leaves some wondering whether the concept of fairness is being served: 5/1/2013 by Illinois Issues magazine; by Jamey Dunn; If a 17-year-old were caught stealing an iPod in Illinois, he or she would likely end up in the juvenile justice system. However, if the same teenager were caught stealing the newest iPhone, he or…
After Years of Slow Progress, Illinois Finds Traction In Efforts to Meet Needs of Mentally Ill Youth: 5/1/2013 by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange; by Ed Finkel and Dick Mendel; Early in 2000, after a groundbreaking study revealed epidemic levels of mental illness among detained youth in Cook County – plus a severe lack of counseling and treatment – the Illinois…
A New Hub for Juvenile Justice Research: 4/24/2013 by Juvenile Justice Resource Hub; by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange and the National Juvenile Justice Network; Juvenile justice professionals take note: a new resource launches this week that will make it easier—and more engaging—than ever to get in-depth journalism stories together with key…
Raise the Age; Don't Split the Difference: 4/3/2013 by Youth Today; by Judge George W. Timberlake, Ret.; The MacArthur Foundation's new "Mistakes Kids Make" Internet-based campaign is a welcome and innovative way to educate the public of the wisdom of giving kids an opportunity to straighten out their…
Editorial: Raise age for charging youths as adults: 3/25/2013 by Chicago Sun-Times; In Illinois, a 17-year-old goof caught shoplifting a $150 iPod Touch, a misdemeanor theft, is charged as a juvenile. If the same 17-year-old goof steals a $400 iPhone, a felony theft, he is charged…
We are the System: 3/6/2013 by Youth Today; by Judge George W. Timberlake, Ret.; Since the deadly shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School late last year, there has been an abundance of suggested policy changes to keep children safe. They include armed guards in every school…
Children and Family Justice Center awarded 2013 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions: 2/28/2013; by Northwestern University; Video: The Children and Family Justice Center The extraordinary accomplishments of the Children and Family Justice Center were recognized by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which…
Study Recommends Extending Illinois Juvenile Court Jurisdiction to Include 17-year-olds Charged with Felony Offenses: 2/26/2013 by Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 26, 2013 Recommendation: To promote a juvenile justice system focused on public safety, youth rehabilitation, fairness, and fiscal responsibility, Illinois should…
Truancy Needs Early and Innovative Intervention: 2/20/2013 by Youth Today; by Judge George W. Timberlake, Ret.; Skipping school – perhaps that makes you think of adventures with high school friends just to test your independence. Four of my high school pals skipped school one beautiful spring day and…
Though controversial, prison reform a necessity: 2/10/2013 by Chicago Sun-Times; by Esther Franco-Payne; Every discussion of state government today revolves around the public pension funds stalemate, a crisis that has sucked the air out of the State Capitol. Yet, the wheels of state government keep…
A Rational Approach to School Safety and Student Performance: 2/5/2013 by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange; by Judge George W. Timberlake, Ret.; Debate is raging in communities across the country about the role of police in our nation’s schools. While the discussion is long overdue, too often the debate centers on the role and presence…
Why is it so hard to expunge juvenile records in Cook County?: 2/4/2013 by Chicago Public Radio; by Linda Paul; Thousands of kids get arrested each year at school in Chicago, and that might not be news to you. But what might be surprising are what can be long-term consequences of juvenile arrests, even for…
How many Chicago juvenile arrests happen at school?: 2/4/2013 by Chicago Public Radio; by Linda Paul; Tens of thousands of young people get arrested each year in Chicago, and a lot of those arrests happen on the grounds of Chicago Public Schools. Of course, arrests at school happen all across the…
Juvenile Justice Sees Progress: 12/27/2012 by The Advocate; by Justice Catherine Kimball; Juvenile justice sees progress Some good news about Louisiana’s success on the juvenile justice reform front was announced last week in the results of a nationwide study. While the news did…
Redeploy Illinois Savings Pass $40 Million As State Officials Advocate Expansion: 11/8/2012; by Illinois Models for Change; SPRINGFIELD, IL – After seven successive years of experience reducing the number of youth committed to state incarceration, some state officials are convinced resources to support the Redeploy…
For the Newly-Elected Judge, a Different View of Juvenile Court: 11/7/2012 by Youth Today; by Judge George W. Timberlake, Ret.; Dozens of lawyers won their first elections as judges this month, and they will soon experience the sensation of viewing the courtroom from the other side of the bench and hearing the words…
International Juvenile Justice Conference Told of Shift Away from Incarceration of Youth in USA: 11/6/2012; by Illinois Models for Change; Elizabeth Clarke, the leader of a juvenile justice reform coalition in Illinois, told an international audience Tuesday of a trend away from mass incarceration of youth in the United States. In…
After the Violence, the Rest of Their Lives: 11/4/2012 by New York Times; by Erica Goode; CHICAGO — Xavier McElrath-Bey drives past the dilapidated houses, liquor stores and vacant lots in his old neighborhood and sees the landmarks of his youth.
Lawsuit Seeks Changes in Youth Parole Revocation Hearings in Illinois: 11/1/2012; by Illinois Models for Change; CHICAGO – Comparing parole revocations hearings in for youth in Illinois to “kangaroo courts,” a class action lawsuit filed recently in federal court has charged that the hearings…
Don’t play politics: Close underused youth prisons: 10/28/2012 by Chicago Sun-Times; by Stephanie Kollmann; Voters are rightly disinclined to blame state workers for Illinois’ fiscal woes. Still, it’s hard to imagine the economic moment when taxpayers would be sympathetic to a union that…
MacArthur Foundation's Models for Change Initiative Announces its Knowledge Brief Series: 10/18/2012; by Models for Change; The Knowledge Brief Series describes new knowledge emerging from the Models for Change initiative, a multi-state juvenile justice initiative. Models for Change is accelerating movement toward a more…
Thousands to Participate in National Youth Justice Awareness Month Activities throughout the Country: 10/1/2012; by Campaign for Youth Justice; Thousands to Participate in National Youth Justice Awareness Month Activities throughout the Country Twenty-eight Events in 20 States are designed to Raise Awareness around the Issue of Youth…
Campaign for Youth Justice Recognizes National Youth Justice Awareness Month: 10/1/2012; by Campaign for Youth Justice; During the month of October, thousands of people are participating in National Youth Justice Awareness Month (Y-JAM) activities throughout the country. The Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) and…
Agreement Could Lead to Additional Improvements for Incarcerated Youth in Illinois: 9/12/2012; by Illinois Models for Change; CHICAGO – An agreement between the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and the ACLU of Illinois may avert a potential expensive and lengthy court battle and lead to improvements in…
llinois should close two juvenile prisons to save money: 9/3/2012 by St. Louis Post-Dispatch; by George W. Timberlake, Chair, Illinois Juvenle Justice Commission; With Gov. Pat Quinn and Illinois AFSCME locked in a protracted lawsuit over the governor's intention to close state prisons, the public debate often focuses on overcrowding in the state's adult…
Experts Say New Federal Rule Brings Hope for LGBTQ Youth in Custody: 8/29/2012 by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange; by Christie Thompson; Given the high rate of torment suffered by LGBT youth in custody, activists applauded last week’s finalizing of a landmark law that took nine years to get from adoption to implementation.
Editorial: Justice for juveniles: 8/22/2012 by Chicago Sun-Times; Cook County’s juvenile justice center has made big strides in recent years. It’s cleaner and safer, its staff is more responsive and its school is more effective. But improvements…
Policy Experts Address the Challenges Facing LGBT Youth in Lockup: 8/22/2012 by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange; by James Swift; “Why are we focused on LGBTQI youth all of a sudden?” said Mykel Selph, director of the Office of Girls & Gender at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) in…
Juvenile detention center population keeps falling; But reform work not finished, officials say: 8/20/2012 by Chicago Tribune; by Hal Dardick; CHICAGO -- Cook County has been able to reduce the number of teens locked up in its juvenile detention center, but there's still much to be done before the mission to reform the long-troubled…
Illinois Summit Examines Ways to Help Youth Leaving Prison Succeed and End the Cycle of Prison Recidivism: 7/30/2012; by Illinois Models for Change; CHICAGO -- Nearly 100 youth service providers and justice reform advocates participated in a daylong summit discussing how to help move Illinois from a youth parole system that is punitive in nature…
Illinois Demonstration Project to Help Juvenile Offenders Make Successful Transition Back to Their Home Communities: 7/24/2012 by Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission; SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission on Tuesday announced the start of a demonstration project to reduce the recidivism and improve the outcomes of juvenile offenders. The…
Federal money to help Illinois to change troubling youth prison statistic: 7/24/2012 by WBEZ (Chicago Public Radio); by Rob Wildeboer; Illinois Governor Pat Quinn's Juvenile Justice Commission says 50 to 60 percent of the kids released from youth prisons end up going back within three years. It’s a troubling statistic, but the…
JJI Urges Congress to Ban Solitary Confinement of Juveniles: 6/19/2012 by Juvenile Justice Initiative; by Illinois Models for Change; JJI Urges Congress to Ban Solitary Confinement of Juveniles CHICAGO – The Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI) of Illinois on Tuesday urged Congress to ban solitary confinement of…
STATE MUST CLOSE PRISONS AS NEED DECREASES: 6/10/2012 by Chicago Sun-Times; by Julie Biehl; Q. What happens when a state responds to non-violent juvenile delinquents with a justice system that holds them accountable for their actions and delivers family counseling, addiction treatment and…
Models for Change Success: Redeploy Illinois: 5/20/2012; by Lauren Jones; In high poverty and high crime cities like East St. Louis, Illinois, teenagers have many opportunities to make bad decisions, and second chances with positive outcomes can be rare. One of those…
Sustaining Models for Change Initiatives Through Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy: 4/19/2012; by Pennsylvania Models for Change; Pennsylvania has a long history of working to improve its juvenile justice system through sustained leadership, strong partnerships at both the state and local levels, and cooperation with both…
Justice Department Expands Youth Violence Prevention Program: 4/5/2012 by Juvenile Justice Information Exchange; by Nancy Lewis; U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced this week that the Justice Department will expand to 10 – from six – the number of cities participating in the National Forum on Youth Violence…
Jail isn't the only option: Redeploy Illinois helps delinquent teens - and saves you money: 2/13/2012 by Belleville News-Democrat; by Jennifer A. Bowen; Things could have ended up much differently for 18-year-old Curtis Warner. A year ago he was staring down at time behind bars. "I was doing the wrong stuff and getting into a lot of trouble I…
Career Development Program Influences Positive Change in Adjudicated Youth: 2/6/2012; by Louisiana Models for Change; Northshore Technical Community College in Greensburg, La., started a career development program in the fall of 2011 for adjudicated youth, youth found by a judge to have committed a violation of…
Editorial: Non-Violent Juveniles Should not be Locked Up: 1/3/2012 by Chicago Sun-Times; Illinois has long been a pioneer in juvenile justice, creating the nation’s first juvenile court as long ago as 1899. But in recent years, Illinois hasn’t looked so much like a pioneer…
Illinois Report Recommends Extensive Changes to Reverse Juvenile Recidivism Trend: 12/16/2011; by Illinois Models for Change; CHICAGO – While noting progress has been made on several reforms within the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), an Illinois state commission has issued a road map of additional…
Illinois Probe Finds Rushed, Unmeasured Process for Juvenile Release, Reentry and Parole: 12/13/2011 by Youth Today; by John Kelly; Illinois has seen significant changes to the front-end of its juvenile justice system, but its system of releasing and assisting incarcerated juveniles is a procedural mess, according to a report…
2011 Champions for Change: 12/6/2011; by Models for Change; Champions for Change are individuals working with Models for Change in their states who have positively affected the lives of justice-involved youth, their families, and communities in ways that…
Toni Irving, Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Honored as Champion for Change in Juvenile Justice Reform: 12/5/2011; by Illinois Models for Change; Irving’s “Dogged Determination” Recognized at National Meeting of MacArthur-Supported Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative CHICAGO – Toni Irving, deputy chief of staff to…
Editorial: Teen Alternatives to Jail Good for All: 10/28/2011 by Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL); It's not every day that a state legislature working to trim the budget could be making life much better for those on whom we traditionally have spent a lot of money. But that seems to be the case…
Editorial: Illinois Should Close at Least One Juvenile Prison: 10/25/2011 by The Pantagraph (Bloomington, IL); Unlike their adult counterparts, Illinois’ juvenile prisons — with one exception — are at or below capacity. The state has been successful in diverting young offenders to other…
Juvenile Law Center Launches Models for Change Podcast Series: 10/25/2011; by Autumn Dickman and Megan Bruce, Juvenile Law Center; Yowei Shaw is an independent audio producer, youth media educator, and journalist based in Philadelphia. She produces a podcast for Juvenile Law Center called Pursuing Justice and has contributed…
Dropout Re-engagement Legislation Supports Statewide Replication of Washington Models for Change Project: 10/21/2011; by Washington State Models for Change; A Washington Models for Change partner has created a program for dropout reengagement that has been adopted as a model for statewide implementation. PathNet: A Networked Reengagement System, is a…
Why Juvenile Offenders Need ‘Aftercare’: 8/25/2011 by Daily Herald; by George Timberlake; The heart-wrenching Daily Herald series recounting the 2008 attack on Elgin High School teacher Carolyn Gilbert has taken its readers to places few of us can imagine and where none of us want to…
Profile for Change: Mark D. Hassakis: 7/19/2011; by Illinois Models for Change; Mark D. Hassakis, attorney from Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and past president of the Illinois State Bar Association. CHICAGO -- When elected a year ago as President of the Illinois State Bar…
Quinn's Youth Prisons Proposal Fades Away: 7/14/2011 by WEBZ-FM; by Sam Hudzik; A major change for Illinois' youth prisons is on hold. Gov. Pat Quinn last year pushed to merge the Department of Juvenile Justice into another agency, the Department of Children and Family Services.…
Calcasieu Children and Youth Planning Board and Louisiana Models for Change launch innovative MARC center: 7/7/2011; by Louisiana Models for Change; Representatives from various juvenile justice agencies and statewide organizations were on hand in Lake Charles today as the ribbon was cut on the brand new Calcasieu Parish Multi-Agency Resource…
MacArthur Foundation director helps to unveil LSUHSC Institute for Public Health and Justice: 7/7/2011; by Louisiana Models for Change; Juvenile justice reform stakeholders from across the nation gathered at a recent John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation-sponsored meeting to hear the first public announcement regarding the…
Profile for Change: Judge Arthur Grim: 6/17/2011; by Pennsylvania Models for Change; For more than 35 years, Judge Arthur Grim of Berks County Pennsylvania has been working hard to help kids find the path to successful adulthood. In 1975, Grim was a young graduate of Duquesne…
Profile for Change: Arthur D. Bishop: 5/18/2011; by Illinois Models for Change; Arthur D. Bishop Director, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice For more than 35 years, social service has been a part of Arthur D. Bishop’s daily life. Bishop, the Director of the…
Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine "Kitty" Kimball Addresses Joint Session of the Louisiana Legislature: 5/16/2011; by Louisiana Models for Change; Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball addressed the legislative joint session of the House and Senate on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. During her remarks, Kimball…
The importance of juvenile court: 4/30/2011 by The Daily News; by Tierra A. Busby; In a recent Daily News interview, Superior Court appointee Gary Bashor noted that some of a judge's most important work takes place in juvenile court. He advocated more funds for juvenile courts,…
Illinois State Bar Association Provides New Guide to Help Communities Reduce Juvenile Delinquency: 4/5/2011; by Illinois Models for Change; SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) is encouraging more citizens to get involved in juvenile justice reform in their communities and is offering a free booklet…
Transforming Juvenile Justice: Lawyers Making A Difference: 2/1/2011 by Illinois Bar Journal; by Mark Hassikis, President of the Illinois State Bar Association, and Lisa Jacobs, Illinois Models for Change; A look at three lawyers who are helping to create a more fair, effective, and rational juvenile justice system in Illinois, often by starting in their own communities. Last month's President's Page…
Patricia Torbet Honored as Champion for Change in Juvenile Justice Reform: 12/8/2010; by Pennsylvania Models for Change; For Immediate Release Contact: Shannon Ensminger 717-699-2206 Patricia Torbet Honored as Champion for Change in Juvenile Justice Reform Pittsburgh, PA (December 8, 2010) – Patricia Torbet,…
Rick Velasquez, Veteran Chicago Youth Justice Advocate, Honored as Champion for Change in Juvenile Justice Reform: 12/6/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; CHICAGO – Rick Velasquez, executive director of Youth Outreach Services (YOS), is being honored by the MacArthur Foundation-supported Models for Change juvenile justice systems reform…
Rick Velasquez-Illinois Champion for Change: 12/1/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; Rick Velasquez Director Youth Outreach Services Rick Velasquez has lived in the Chicago area his entire life. Velasquez became involved with Youth Outreach Services (YOS) in the early 1970s as a…
Patricia Torbet-Pennsylvania Champion for Change: 12/1/2010; by Pennsylvania Champion for Change; Patricia Torbet Senior Research Associate National Center for Juvenile Justice When a small group of juvenile justice leaders met to dream up Models for Change, Pat Torbet was at the table. When…
2010 Champions for Change: 12/1/2010; The Champions for Change recognizes one Models for Change leader or partner from each of the four core Models for Change states (Illinois, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Washington) and each of the Models…
Justice for Juveniles: 11/30/2010 by Carmi Times; Mt. Vernon, Ill. — The Illinois Association of Juvenile Justice Councils has been formed to help convene new juvenile justice councils and link them with others in the state in an effort to…
Illinois Makes Progress But Has Not Achieved the Juvenile Justice System Envisioned by Jane Addams: 10/7/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; By the time the keynote speaker at the annual Jane Addams Symposium had finished explaining what is right and wrong about the juvenile justice system in America and in Illinois in particular, the…
Patricia Torbet-Models for Change Profile of the Month: 10/7/2010; Now that she is retired, Pat and her husband are looking forward to traveling and checking things off her bucket list! In her role as a Senior Researcher at the National Center for Juvenile…
Jobs and Future Stalled by Records Thought Secret: 9/16/2010 by WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio; by Linda Paul; (Illinois Models for Change note: Legislation enacted this year in Illinois improved the process for those 18 and older to clear their records of a first offense misdemeanor as a juvenile, and it…
Text of Julie L. Biehl's Keynote Address at the Jane Addams Hull House Association: 9/16/2010; by Julie L. Biehl; Jane Addams Hull House Association Jane Addams Symposium Chicago, Illinois September 16, 2010 Keynote Address by Julie L. Biehl Director, Children & Family Justice Center Northwestern…
Stolen Futures - Seventeen: 8/31/2010 by The Chicago Reporter; by Angela Caputo; As police pinned Derrick Reed to the hood of a squad car, one thought raced through his mind: “Oh, man. I’m going to go away. I’m 17 now.” The East Garfield Park teen’s…
Calcasieu Sets Standards for Juvenile Justice: 8/29/2010; by Louisiana Models for Change; Calcasieu Parish has been asked to help develop standards for juvenile justice detention centers around the state. House Bill 1477, enacted this summer, outlines the development of “best…
Editorial: Recommit to Serving Troubled Teens: 8/3/2010 by The Daily Herald; It's been nearly a year since a 16-year-old boy took his own life inside a state youth prison in St. Charles. Nearly a year to look at what went wrong. Nearly a year for change to happen. We've…
Reforming Juvenile Justice in Pennsylvania: 8/3/2010; by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; An innovative new approach to juvenile justice reform in Berks County, Pennsylvania, is helping to improve community safety while reducing the number of young people in secure detention and…
ISBA President Will Work on Juvenile Justice Reform: 7/22/2010 by Chicago Daily Law Bulletin; by Mark D. Hassakis; To the editor: The appointment last week of a new state juvenile justice chief — a veteran of the state's child welfare system — signals a new era in juvenile justice reform. Mr. Arthur…
Illinois Governor Quinn Names Acting Juvenile Justice Director: 7/16/2010 by Office of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 16, 2010 Governor Quinn Names Acting Juvenile Justice Director Veteran Administrator, Child Welfare Expert Arthur Bishop to Lead Agency Merger with the Department of…
What Happens in Juvenile Court, Doesn't Always Stay in Juvenile Court - The Myths and Realities about Juvenile Records and Expungements: 7/15/2010 by The Jurisdiction - Allegheny County Probation; by Judge Kim Clark; Contrary to popular belief, what happens in juvenile court, doesn't always stay in juvenile court. A juvenile record can follow a person for the rest of their lives. This can include the record of…
Your Mail: Uniform Standards Coming: 7/14/2010 by The Alexandria Town Talk; by Louisiana State Representative Damon Baldone; During the recent session, the Legislature took a long-awaited -- and very necessary -- step toward juvenile justice reform. In collaboration with the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana and the…
Reform Helps Ease Overcrowding: 7/9/2010 by The Shreveport Times; by Loresha Wilson; SHREVEPORT, La. — Caddo Juvenile Detention Center's small cell blocks are reserved mostly for teens charged with armed robbery, sex crimes and other violent felony offenses. Despite a reported…
The Hard Labor of Reform: Despite Progress, Juvenile Justice Overhaul Still Lags Original Vision: 4/26/2010 by The News Star; by Matthew Hamilton; Louisiana's juvenile justice reformers put the fate of children above all else in their founding document. "The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the children and families of Louisiana are…
Kids Killing kids: 3/15/2010 by Chicago Tribune; The lost boys look crisp in T-shirts and desert-tan dungarees. The black letters that spill down one leg of each trousers, "IDOC," mark Bill Bigeck and Eddie Morfin as wards of the Illinois…
Behavior Strategists Help Students in Tough Times: 3/15/2010; by Louisiana Models for Change (courtesy of Karina Donica); From Alexandria, Louisiana newspaper The Town Talk: Diahn Fleury still remembers her days teaching a group of emotionally disturbed children 12 years ago at North Bayou Elementary School and…
Illinois Increases Juvenile Court Age Cutoff to 17: 3/12/2010 by Chicago Tribune; by Jeff Long; When a 17-year-old girl was caught stealing $300 worth of clothing at a mall a few weeks ago, she was charged with a misdemeanor in juvenile court. Before Jan. 1, she could have been in even bigger…
Scandals Highlight the Need for Juvenile Justice Reform: 3/4/2010 by Illinois Issues; by Jamey Dunn; Just a few months ago, it looked as if the scandal surrounding the “Meritorious Good Time Push” prisoner-release program could cost Gov. Pat Quinn a win in the primary election. Under the…
Illinois Models for Change Leader Honored as Faculty Member of the Year at Loyola University Chicago: 3/1/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; Diane Geraghty, a leader of the Illinois Models for Change, has been recognized as the 2009 Faculty Member of the Year at Loyola University Chicago. Geraghty is founder and director of the Loyola…
Outreach Group Matches Homeless Teens With Adults: 2/24/2010 by WBBM-TV, Chicago; by Kristyn Hartman; CHICAGO -- It's tough enough growing up, but imagine having to find your way to adulthood homeless, and without a mom or dad. It happens to thousands of kids in Chicago each year. Would you be…
Illinois Governor Taps Models for Change Leaders to Help Shape Juvenile Justice Policy: 2/24/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently reinvigorated the state’s Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC) by naming 16 new members to the 25-member advisory group. Several of the new commission members…
New Chair of Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission Talks About Future of Reform in Illinois: 2/24/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; Retired Judge George W. Timberlake, who is a member of the Illinois Models for Change Coordinating Council, recently was named Chair of the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission (IJJC). Timberlake…
Chicago Public Radio Tells the Story of Life "Inside and Out" of the Juvenile Justice System: 2/3/2010; by Illinois Models for Change; Chicago Public Radio station WBEZ-FM has begun a series of reports examining how young people get caught up in the juvenile justice system, their life inside juvenile prisons and what happens to them…
Reforming Juvenile Justice: 2/1/2010 by The New York Times; by Tracy Velázquez; To the Editor: Re “Seeking to Send Fewer Youths to Jail, City Shifts Strategy on Delinquency” (news article, Jan. 21): It’s past time for acknowledging that America’s…
Models for Change Forum Focuses on Aftercare for Juveniles: 1/28/2010; by Pennsylvania Models for Change; The fifth annual Aftercare Forum training was held December 3rd and 4th at the Days Inn at State College, PA. The forum, which was focused on highlighting the ongoing work of the Models for Change…
Juvenile Justice Reform Initiatives Taking Place Across Louisiana: 1/15/2010; by Louisiana Models for Change (courtesy of Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Catherine D. Kimball); I applaud the member judges of the Louisiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges for their active support and ongoing efforts to improve and reform Louisiana’s juvenile justice…
Conference Highlights Successes in Models for Change States: 1/8/2010; by LaWanda Johnson; Hundreds of Models for Change representatives from sixteen states were on hand to highlight reform progress in their states and share experiences with peers during the 4th annual Models for Change…
Juvenile Law Center Strives for Justice Reform: 12/28/2009 by The Legal Intelligencer; by Robert Schwartz; The Juvenile Law Center's highly publicized work on behalf of thousands of Luzerne County teens is of obvious import. It also has its ironies. Since 2004, the Juvenile Law Center has been the "lead…
OJJDP Invites Comments on Proposed FY 2010 Program Plan: 12/2/2009 by The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published a Notice of its Proposed Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 …
James Rieland Honored for Exceptional Contributions to Juvenile Justice Reform in Pennsylvania: 11/23/2009; by Models for Change Pennsylvania; James J. Rieland, Director of Allegheny County Probation and critical fixture in Pennsylvania’s Models for Change initiative, has been awarded the Dennis M. Maloney Award for his exceptional…
Re-Arrest Rate Lower for Illinois Juveniles Receiving Mental Health Treatment: 11/18/2009; by Juvenile Justice Initiative; According to a project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, 66 percent of youth involved in the juvenile justice system had a diagnosable psychiatric condition. The Mental Health…
Two Systems Come Together in Illinois with a Common Goal of Helping Juveniles in Trouble: 10/22/2009; by Illinois Models for Change; DuPage County, Illinois’ second largest county, is well known as an economic and political powerhouse. More recently, the county also is earning a reputation as a leader in the field of…
Saving young offenders is project's goal: 10/21/2009 by Sauk Valley Newspapers, Dixon and Sterling, Illinois; The criminal justice system in Ogle County is trying a new cooperative approach to discourage juvenile offenders from committing more crimes. The initiative is an effort by the Ogle County…
What is Working around Illinois: 10/14/2009; by Lisa Jacobs; Models for Change is a national initiative funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to accelerate reform of juvenile justice systems across the country (www.modelsforchange.net).…
Unprecedented Agreement Reached to Assist Juveniles: 10/13/2009; by Ogle County Juvenile Justice Council; OREGON, IL – Juveniles running into trouble with the law in Ogle County are finding law enforcement and probation officers coming to their assistance. Members of the Ogle County Juvenile…
Juvenile Justice Improvements Approved by Illinois General Assembly: 6/23/2009; by Illinois Models for Change; The Illinois General Assembly has approved two pieces of legislation aimed at improving the state’s juvenile justice system. Both bills are in line with the Models for Change core principles…
New Pennsylvania project strives to break cycle of youth crime: 3/10/2009; by Models for Change Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania has long been recognized as a progressive leader in juvenile justice reform, a reputation that led the John D. and Catharine T. MacArthur Foundation to select Pennsylvania as a flagship…
Third Models for Change working conference gathers forces and champions juvenile justice reform: 1/1/2009; The Third Annual Models for Change Working Conference, in December 2008, provided a unique opportunity for representatives from all areas of the initiative to come together and share knowledge, tools…
MacArthur Foundation Selects Pennsylvania as "Model" State for National Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative: 11/3/2005 by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; HARRISBURG, PA – The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has selected Pennsylvania as one of four states to participate in Models for Change, a national initiative to accelerate…

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