COLUMBUS, Ohio - Giving up the right to an attorney in court can be a risky move, and a new rule would help ensure that right is protected for children in Ohio's juvenile justice system. Juvenile Rule 3 requires that children who face possible loss of liberty consult with an attorney before waiving counsel.

The policy director for the ACLU of Ohio, Shakira Diaz, says young people are not as developed as adults and may not fully understand the consequences of their actions.

"The capacity of a young person versus an adult is very different, and so we have two different judicial systems. That said, we want make sure that young people are accompanied through that process, that they are fully aware, and that at the very least they consult with a legal expert."

Under current law, a child is required to speak with an adult before waiving the right to an attorney, but Diaz says that adult may not understand the legal ramifications of proceeding without an attorney, or understand what is in the best legal interest of the child.

Juvenile Rule 3 was approved by the Ohio Supreme Court and will be adopted July 1, unless the General Assembly passes a motion of disapproval prior to that date.

Those who oppose Juvenile Rule 3 say it would be too expensive to implement. But Diaz points out that children without an attorney are more likely to be sentenced to detention, which could be more costly than providing counsel.

"We cannot put a price tag on the constitutional rights of children. Other states who have proceeded with these changes were worried about similar concerns and they were able to get through it; Ohio could do the same."

Others have claimed that requiring counsel could interfere with the parent-child relationship. Diaz says the rule will actually empower families to make informed decisions together.

"It allows parents to have a better understanding of the legal process. The legal system for adults is very complex, and going through it with your child can be very complex and overwhelming."

Ohio recently made changes to the juvenile court system that included the introduction of a juvenile competency standard and provisions that increase judicial discretion.






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Indiana's youth are facing a growing mental health crisis, and officials say urgent action is needed. Nearly half of high school students in the state report experiencing depression, and suicide attempts among youth continue to increase.

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of Indiana Youth Institute highlights the struggles teens face in silence, as well as the challenges families encounter in accessing the necessary support and resources.

"Nearly half - 47% - of the students reported experiencing depression within the last year. And so, that's been pretty consistent over the past couple years, but still that's a tremendous number," she said.

In 2023, nearly one in four students planned suicide, and more than 15% attempted it. Female and LGBTQ+ students report higher rates of mental health challenges compared to their peers, reflecting significant disparities.

Barriers to accessing care worsen the situation, with two-thirds of Indiana youth who experience major depression not receiving treatment. The shortage of mental health providers across the state further limits access. Silverman called on schools and community organizations to play a pivotal role by training staff to identify mental health issues early and implementing peer mentorship programs.

"For young people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression recognizing and embracing those glimmers - those positive moments - can help provide even brief respite from some of their stress or anxiety," she continued.

Silverman also emphasized the importance of promoting mental health literacy to reduce stigma and improve access to care. By addressing challenges, Indiana can create an environment where all youth receive the support they need to thrive," she said.


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A national voting rights group supports a push to lower the voting age in California and other states to 16 for state and local elections.

The Vote16 USA campaign, is sponsored by Generation Citizen, a movement to get young voters involved in the political system and change their world for the better.

LaJuan Allen, Vote16 USA director for the group, said research showed the earlier students get involved, the more likely they will be lifetime voters.

"The earlier we start, the more likely we are to develop lifelong voters in folks that are civically engaged," Allen pointed out. "The data backs this up. The studies back this up. If you vote in one election, you're much more likely to vote in another. And if we start that early, that percentage goes up."

Allen noted California already has an early preregistration system and this November, Alameda County will allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in school board elections in Oakland and Berkley. Other states with youth voter programs include New Jersey, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Maryland.

A study by the YouthTruth Civic Empowerment Project found high school age students want to be politically involved but lack the necessary civics skills. Allen stressed the Vote16 USA project has found large numbers of youths are already involved is social movements with an eye toward improving their future.

"Young people are leading a lot of the movements that we see across our country today," Allen observed. "We think about climate justice reform. We think about education policy. We think about common sense gun violence prevention. It is young people that are at the forefront of these issues."

The last time the voting age was changed was a half-century ago when the 26th Amendment was ratified in 1971, lowering the national age from 21 to 18. Allen added they are pushing individual states and cities to make the change rather than trying to amend the Constitution.


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A new report offers some solutions for at least 119,000 young people in Connecticut who are described as being "disconnected" from work or school.

"Disconnection" means they have either dropped out or are close to dropping out of school. It also applies to young people ages 18-26 who are unemployed or unemployable.

Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association, said the state making college a priority beyond high school may be a worthy goal but it has also contributed to the disconnection issue.

"We've heavily invested in college as a solid vehicle for post-high-school endeavors," Dias observed. "I think one of the spaces that we need to continue to evolve is the idea that there's a lot of opportunities post-high school."

She added building up opportunities for students to see other pathways will help, including apprenticeships and alternatives to college. The overall goal of the "Young People First" plan is to get 60,000 at-risk and disconnected youth, ages 14-26, back on track by 2035.

The report, from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, said having so many disconnected young residents costs the state about $750 million annually. It estimated implementing the entire plan would cost between $600 million and $700 million, combining some new spending with leveraging existing resources. Dias acknowledged doing big things requires big "asks."

"We're going to need to look at our state-level leaders and ask them to make an investment," Dias explained. "Connecticut has resources. There are monies on the table, and we have to remember government exists for the sole purpose of supporting community, and this would be a fundamental opportunity to do that."

Dias pointed out teachers would play a big part in the plan, since they can shape curriculum and how students are prepared for life after high school. Along with building networks with different professionals, she argued it is important for young people to see there are different versions of success.

"Part of our responsibility as educators is to ensure we understand the world we're bringing these students into," Dias asserted. "If we need to learn more, that we do so. And I think, by and large, educators tend to embrace; I mean, we are learners at heart, so we tend to embrace the opportunities to learn more and do more with our students."


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