Treat Kids as Kids Ensuring Safe Communities with Modern Approaches

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Treat Kids as Kids Ensuring Safe Communities with Modern Approaches

Treat Kids as Kids: A Modern Approach to Ensuring Safe Communities

Across the nation, incidents involving youth crime underscore the importance of providing communities with the best information, tools, and resources to ensure public safety without abandoning decades of progress in juvenile justice reforms. A new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics on Crimes Involving Juveniles, 1993-2022, shows fluctuations in the incidence and patterns of youth crime over time. While increases in certain offense categories demand action and justice, it is crucial to view them within a broader context.

Over the past three decades, youth arrests for violent crimes have decreased, and the number of youths in residential placements has significantly dropped. Greater numbers of young people are being diverted from the justice system and provided with community-based resources and treatments that have been shown to be more effective at reducing reoffending and improving outcomes. Additionally, more policymakers and practitioners are adopting evidence-based and evidence-informed approaches rooted in the science of adolescent development.

Extensive research has illuminated the developmental vulnerabilities of young minds, highlighting the propensity for youth to engage in impulsive and risky behavior. Studies indicate that most young people outgrow delinquent behavior over time. This emphasizes the importance of intervention and support rather than punitive measures. A continued focus on what works with young people is essential, centering on an evidence-based approach rooted in research and community collaboration.

By addressing both risk factors and protective factors influencing a young person’s likelihood of engaging in violence, communities can create environments that promote positive development and reinforce law-abiding behavior.

Two key factors that promote positive behaviors are support and opportunity. Strengthening the network of support for youth, both for those who engage in delinquent or criminal behavior and those at risk due to their circumstances, is imperative. Providing opportunities for growth and success through connections to caring adults and prosocial activities, such as mentoring and after-school programs, and strengthening their connection to school, is vital. The goal is to create protective environments that reduce youth exposure to community-level risks and create pathways to a brighter future.

The Continuum of Care for Youth and Communities framework—based on established models in the healthcare and social services fields—provides a range of services that reflect the science of adolescent development and are designed to meet the needs of at-risk youth. It establishes a holistic approach spanning prevention, intervention, treatment, and reentry strategies, rather than a traditionally siloed view of youth justice services.

This new OJJDP framework and funding investment aim to prevent youth from entering or deepening their involvement in the juvenile justice system. It provides effective interventions tailored to the needs of youth and designed to steer them away from further juvenile justice system involvement. The continuum of care approach advances public safety by utilizing evidence-informed community-based interventions. These interventions have been shown to reduce youth offending and improve positive youth outcomes, while keeping young people out of the deep end of the juvenile justice system.

At its core, the continuum of care approach is community-driven, leveraging local insights and resources to address emerging issues effectively. By prioritizing community safety and well-being, this framework ensures that interventions are not only cost-effective in both the short and long term but also rooted in the values and priorities of the communities they serve.

Nearly 50 years ago, the landmark Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act was passed, setting federal standards for the safety and fair treatment of youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on past progress and look ahead to the future. Innovation is necessary to meet contemporary challenges.

“Treat kids as kids—that’s our mantra. It is an opportunity for us to help youth repair the harm they caused, heal from trauma, and move forward in a positive direction. We should never ignore or dismiss delinquent behavior by young people, but we should address it with effective, evidence-based, and promising interventions. Accountability is needed, as is compassion, support, and access to services,” emphasized the report.

Supporting the well-being of America’s youth and broadening their opportunities for a better future is essential. Through continued investments, a strong foundation for the nation’s youth can be formed. For young people already in the juvenile justice system, providing the necessary support to lead productive and law-abiding lives is crucial for their reintegration into society as valuable members.

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Note: This article contains opinion-based content, particularly in the quotes and the interpretation of data trends.

[Source: Newsweek]

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