HOUSTON – A county in Texas is leading the way in reforming juvenile justice in the state.

Since 2007, Harris County has been using the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) model, a national strategy developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, to improve outcomes for children in the juvenile justice system while ensuring public safety.

Raquel Mariscal, a senior associate with the W. Haywood Burns Institute that co-manages JDAI, says sometimes children need secure detention, but other times there are alternatives.

"It's about bettering the outcomes for our youth and responding to adolescent behavior in ways that do not have kids end up being in cages, if you will – juvenile facilities," she explains.

Mariscal says the program has been a success, with a reduction in youth crime, and a drop in referrals to juvenile probation.

From 2006, before JDAI, through 2010, there were 25 percent fewer youth admitted to the Juvenile Detention Center and 70 percent fewer youth committed to the Texas Youth Commission.

Tom Brooks, executive director of the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, says under JDAI his department now uses more personalized intervention programs.

"Instead of kids involved with us coming to sit in a workshop or something, we actually dig down deeper to see what their individual needs are,” he explains. “And the courts have been very involved in stepping down off the bench and working with the kids."

Brooks adds Harris County is now working more closely with children, and involving their loved ones in the process.

"We realize the need to work not with a child but with a family,” he says. “We utilize a multi-systemic therapy in the home which has been very successful in allowing the parent to take back their home"

Brooks says many other counties have contacted his probation department to learn how they can implement JDAI practices. And he adds his department also routinely looks to community, faith and educational partners for their help.





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About 53% of high school students think voting is important, according to a survey out today from the nonprofit Youth Truth.

Researchers polled 115,000 American high school students, including Californians, on civic engagement and found 60% believe "helping others is important," but only 44% feel confident in their ability to make a difference.

Jennifer de Forest, interim vice president of Youth Truth, said 30% of students translate their intentions into meaningful action.

"They say, 'We don't know where to start,'" de Forest explained. "And that's the best-case scenario, because for many students, they've actually internalized the message that the system is broken, and that what they have to say doesn't matter."

Latino students report feeling the most disempowered. Only 26% have taken civic action and just 46% believe voting is important. Many students said they are more focused on academic success and college acceptance. But they say extracurriculars like scouting, band and sports do make them feel more civic-minded.

Kate Snow, coordinator of school climate for the Davis Joint Unified School District, which brought diverse student groups together for a youth empowerment workshop, said districts need to build young people's confidence in the importance of their voices.

"There's a link between how schools are engaging students and helping students see their own power and use their power, with how they see and use it in the public arena," Snow pointed out.

The report encouraged schools to promote the importance of voting and students getting involved in their community.

People who have gone through the foster care system in Oregon will get a chance to help improve it. The Oregon Department of Human Services has agreed to a settlement in a class action lawsuit filed by foster children. As part of the agreement, foster youth and anyone who has aged out of care since 2019, when the suit was filed, will get a chance to share their feedback about the settlement with U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken on September 12th.

Emily Cooper, legal director for Disability Rights Oregon, one of the organizations that filed the initial lawsuit. She welcomes the opportunity for input.

"They have an opportunity to say, 'I think the state should also, maybe do these other things,' or 'the state should really focus on this.' And the court and we really want to hear from these children and young adults," she said.

A listening session is being held today at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. to provide instructions on how to share feedback. Cooper notes nearly 5,000 people will be eligible to participate. Those wanting to share must sign up online by August 15th or send a letter to Judge Aiken by August 16th.

Cooper said the state needs to make drastic changes to the foster care system. The initial suit was filed because of concerns about kids being abused, neglected and going without essential services. She says the state has agreed to make certain changes over the next ten years.

"Making sure that kids aren't cycling in and out of the system, going home, coming back. That's called reentry. It's making sure they have case plans within the first two months of entering care, making sure they get the services like medical, dental, mental health care when they're in care," Cooper said.

Cooper shared the agreement with one of the women involved in the case and she told Cooper she cried after reading it.

"She said, 'Because if all of these promises that are in this agreement had been kept before I entered care, I wouldn't have the scars I have. So I think this is not just for me but every single kid like me," Cooper added.


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Kids' summer camp means horseback riding, hiking and scavenger hunts. But one Indianapolis chef is using the school break to teach youths cooking and business skills.

The Culinary Art Summer Bootcamp instructs participants - generally ages 16 to 22 - on food handling, healthy meal preparation, and table etiquette.

Twelve students attended the first camp in 2023. This year, the enrollment number is 28.

Healthy Soul Indy founder and chef Tawana Gulley saw a niche she wanted to fill.

"The camp initially started with just me seeing that there were just wayward kids that needed some guidance and something to do," said Gulley. "The only thing that I felt like I could bring to the table and offer them was my skill set in the culinary-arts area."

Gulley credited career development teacher Eric Kilbride with creating the camp's blueprint and securing funding. She said previous students have received certification for culinary careers.

According to workforce site Indiana Career Explorer, the average annual salary for a chef is almost $55,000.

Business and food-industry professionals are invited to the camp to share their expertise about financial literacy, marketing, and having a business plan.

The importance of customer service and responsibility are discussed in roundtable talks. Gulley said she strives to provide a well-rounded camp experience.

"So after we train them, and after they go through their morning with an entrepreneur, they go out and they work with these vendors for two hours out of the day," said Gulley. "So, we have a certified trainer that comes and works out with the kids and talks to them about health and wellness."

Another important part of the camp is to raise participants' awareness about food deserts, particularly in urban areas.

The 2024 Survey Report: Food Assistance and Hunger in Indiana, indicates the U.S. Census found the percentage of Black households in Indiana with food insufficiency was twice as high - at 23%, while the general population is at almost 12%.





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