A new report from Global Issues Resource Center documents the status of youth and teen courts, a juvenile justice prevention and intervention program that uses volunteer youth to help sentence their peers. In 1993, fewer than 75 local youth and teen courts existed in a dozen states -- in 2008, more than 1,000 communities operate these local juvenile justice programs.

This Public/Private Ventures guide draws upon lessons learned from seven years of experience in Philadelphia to describe how cities and other jurisdictions can plan and carry out an initiative like the Youth Violence Reduction Partnership. The program focuses on youth ages 14 to 24 who are at greatest risk of killing or being killed, and melds supervision and supports to steer them away from violence and toward productive
lives.

PROJECT ROCKIT is an interactive anti-bullying and youth leadership program that is run by young people for young people. They strive to achieve positive, lasting change by empowering young people to tackle the issues that are important to them. PROJECT ROCKIT sessions are designed to reflect a 'show me don't tell me' approach to learning. Through an array of dramatic role plays, group activities, student performances, creative writing, and real-life stories, P-ROCK sessions embody key messages and strategies that are relevant for young people.

The nonpartisan Every Child Matters Education Fund surveyed 800 registered voters and
found that regardless of party, strong majorities are concerned about a recent UNICEF
report ranking U.S. child well-being near the bottom of the industrialized world. The
majority of those surveyed agree that "we need bold leadership to address poverty,
child abuse, health, and education." A quarter of registered voters could not give any
response when asked about the two candidates' strengths on children's issues.

Making a virginity pledge may help some young people postpone the start of sexual activity, according to a new RAND study. It also found that adolescents who make the pledge, but eventually have sex, do not report lower condom use. (The full article is in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

The Spring 2008 issue of Evaluation Exchange from the Harvard Family Research Project looks at promising practices in family involvement. In particular, it highlights the importance of partnerships within communities for better child outcomes, and how family involvement fits into a broader approach to children's success in education and in life.

To make positive change for kids, you need to know where things stand, what’s working and what needs to be improved. The annual KIDS COUNT Data Book offers both data and context for 10 indicators of child well-being—and drills down to a state and local level. This year’s essay offers a “roadmap for reform” in juvenile justice. CFK summer intern Maria Allen attended the June 2008 launch event in DC and has this overview.

If you work with teens with disabilities, you’ll want to know about the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work (TTW) program. Its Youth Transition portion offers funds for organizations that help students receiving Social Security disability benefits find employment. Is it right for you? Melody Goodspeed, Youth Transition Specialist for TTW answers some common questions about the funding.

One of my great pleasures as an editor is to periodically "surf the sites" in child advocacy. I often find what to me, at least, are fresh stories of good works and good results that serve as an inspiration for my work at Child Advocacy 360 and Connect for Kids. RuralSuccess.org has several winning examples.

Drugs4Real is a free Web-based prevention program that teaches early adolescents (ages 11 to 14) about the influence of alcohol and other drugs, and strengthens their commitment to avoid taking these substances. This program has been scientifically tested with kids and was shown to effectively improve knowledge regarding the risks of drug and alcohol abuse.