Looking Forward: Bilchik Testimony on Reauthorizing the Act
Posted on 15 October 2009 by youthtoday
Statement of Shay Bilchik, Founder and Director, Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, Georgetown University Public Policy Institute on Dec. 5, 2007, before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on “The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act: Protecting Our Children and Our Communities”
Tags | Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, JJDPA reauthorization, Looking Forward, Shay Bilchik
Good recommendations though some are vague. During Mr. Bilchik’s tenure some other inexplicable things occured that ought to be remedied, including:
- The exclusion of juvenile offenders in detention and secure institutions from Titles IVE and XIX reimbursement.
- The exclusion of juvenile offenders in placements other than family foster care from eligibility for the Chafee independent living programs.
These exclusions severely limit the abilities of states to provide juvenile justice services including transitional/independent living programs. It is a mystery to me why OJJDP has acquiesced to the exclusion of juvenile offenders from these programs while maintaining, as noted by Mr. Bilchik, a consistent focus on the unity of children and juveniles with respect to victimization and exploitation.
Remember, we want your feedback. Add your $.02!