Congress looks to Florida Advocates for Direction on Girls in Juvenile Justice
Dr. Lawanda Ravoira of the National Council on Crime & Delinquency’s Center for Girls and Young Women was part of a stellar group of experts invited to testify before Congress on issues facing juvenile justice involved girls in Florida and across the nation. The October 20, 2009 hearing - the first ever to address gender-specific involvement and incarceration of girls in juvenile justice - was held by the United State’s House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, in preparation for the reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Ravoira wasted no time in raising objections to abhorrent practices in juvenile justice facilities. As reported in Youth Today, congressional members appeared disturbed by Ravoira’s report that male guards are frequently present as girls shower and that male guards often participate in strip searches.
“You don’t know of anything, any standards that says this is okay to do, right?” asked an incredulous-looking Louie Gohmert (R-Texas)
“I know it is done in practice,” Ravoira replied.
In a national press release issued by the Children’s Campaign, its president, Roy Miller, said, “We are calling for the equitable allocation of resources so that girls can be held accountable while we address the abuse and victimization underlying many of their actions and poor decisions.”
Ravoira echoed those sentiments, saying, “Because of the failure to get it right, girls are further traumatized and victimized in the very systems of care that should be providing the services to turn their lives around.”
Ravoira, a partner in the Children’s Campaign’s Justice for Girls Initiative, was joined by several experts including Jackie Jackson, executive director of Girls Inc. of the Greater Peninsula in Hampton, Virginia, and young women who have come through the juvenile justice system, who testified about the need for an increased federal focus on girls – the fastest growing population in juvenile justice.
The hearing highlighted several root causes documented in th Justice for Girls: Blueprint for Action that Ravoira and Miller authored in 2008 with support from the Florida Bar Foundation.
Ravoira’s and Miller’s groundbreaking work on the Blueprint brought girls to the forefront of the national dialogue on juvenile justice. Congress is looking for the Blueprint to inform policy decisions impacting girls nationwide, and is pointing to Florida as an example of systemic reform efforts in motion.
The full testimony of the hearing is available online.
Detention Bill Reintroduced
Last week Representative Sandra Adams filed her Detention Bill (HB 211) for the third consecutive year. And, as was the case in years past, the proposed language does not align with the recommendations of the Juvenile Justice Blueprint Commission. The bill compromises existing checks and balances in juvenile proceedings, does not conform to best practices based on proven research and will greatly expand the use of detention at a time when efforts are underway to reduce the use of detention.
Stakeholders and children’s advocates agree the measures outlined in the bill will be expensive to implement. Children’s Campaign, Inc., the Southern Poverty Law Center, legal rights organizations and others plan to recommend that the bill’s true fiscal impact be appropriately assessed.
Legislative Interests Highlighted
In a letter to the leadership of the Circuit 11 Juvenile Justice Board in follow-up to the School to Jail Pipeline Summit, Children’s Campaign President Roy Miller highlighted areas of legislative interest in the coming year.
In addition to calling on all boards, councils, coalitions, stakeholders, and advocates to oppose the proposed detention bill, Children’s Campaign announced it is working to introduce legislation advancing reforms for girls. The legislation under development is an outgrowth of the multi-year Justice for Girls Initiative.
Regarding the progress of more comprehensive juvenile justice reform work, Miller commented that the same fiscal dynamics in the legislature will be in place this year; bills with fiscal impact will be stopped early in the process. Until the fiscal landscape changes for the better, the Children’s Campaign does not envision bringing a comprehensive reform package forward, choosing instead to address the girls issue and possibly other reforms with more limited scope.
Last year, the Children’s Campaign worked to codify the entire Blueprint Commission report into proposed state law. As expected, the good bill as introduced by Senator Stephen Wise successfully passed several committees before being held in appropriations. The effort was successful in bringing the 40+ recommendations of the Blueprint Commission into full public view and will set the tone for reforms when the economy improves.
With Florida facing a deficit of $2.6 billion, Miller said advocacy efforts must prevent the further erosion of juvenile justice appropriations. In addition to bringing attention to the disastrous impact of more cuts, the point must be made that more than $100-milllion has been transferred from juvenile justice to adult corrections over the past several years. It is long past time to shift that money back to the children and to the front end of the system.
FNYFS CEO Applicant Deadline Nears
The formal search has kicked off to find the replacement for long time FNYFS executive director Dee Richter with the application deadline set for Friday, November 6th. The full advertisement for the position is as follows:
Executive Director
Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, Inc.
The Florida Network of Youth and Family Services is currently seeking an Executive Director for the chief administration and management position of a not for profit statewide association and a large state government contract to deliver statutorily-mandated services to status offenders and their families via subcontracts to over 30 local providers throughout Florida. Services are provided through 28 youth crisis shelters and multiple counseling sites. This position requires strong leadership, advocacy and organizational skills. In addition, proficiencies in grant writing, budget development and management, data analysis, public speaking, supervision of staff, and developing public policy are critical. Demonstrated success in working with a large number of constituents, particularly government agencies, is preferred. The successful candidate must be willing to reside in Tallahassee, Florida. A Bachelor’s Degree is required, Master’s Degree preferred, with a minimum of five years of applicable experience. The annual contract is under the direction and supervision of a volunteer Board of Directors. Salary range is $90,000-$120,000, with paid vacation and sick leave, mileage reimbursement, medical plan, life and disability insurance, and a retirement plan. Resumes will be accepted until November 6, 2009. Please e-mail cover letter and resume to Jobs@floridanetwork.org
This Juvenile Justice Front Burner is brought to you by:
Roy Miller, President
Beth Degi , Contributing Writer