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Old 07-25-2011, 02:56 AM   #1
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Thumbs up Editorial: Federal office of juvenile justice needs a leader — and fast

Under Presidents Obama and George W. Bush, the agency has suffered from crippling funding cuts; according to the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, the agency&rsquo;s budget is now roughly 180&thinsp;million &mdash; a far cry from the 450&thinsp;million allotted in 2002. The House Appropriations subcommittee on commerce, justice, science <a href="http://www.trading666.com/lv-handbags-lv-A-quality-handbags-f2-3-c3-9.html"><strong>wholesale lv handbags online from china </strong></a> and related agencies has targeted the OJJDP for additional cuts that threaten to further gut the agency and crimp its ability to provide funds and guidance to states.The need for a federal voice on juvenile justice is more important than ever. A National Center for State Courts survey released in December showed that budgets of 32 states&rsquo; courts &mdash; including those specifically designed for juvenile offenders &mdash; have been <a href="http://www.trading666.com/others-t1-29.html"><strong>wholesale cheap newport cigarettes outlet</strong></a> slashed. In Jefferson County, Ala., according to the Birmingham News, layoffs of security officials are poised to result in several courthouse closings and &ldquo;effectively put on hold .&thinsp;.&thinsp;. most juvenile proceedings.&rdquo; Dozens of other states have proposed or passed such cuts. The executive director of the Campaign for Youth Justice and other children&rsquo;s advocates are rightly concerned that the federal government has no responsible leader to protect the work and budgetary needs <a href="http://www.jolintsai.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1026604#1026604"><strong>Obama Makes DADT Repeal Official - Christian Post</strong></a> of the OJJDP. As the campaign correctly pointed out in a recent statement: &ldquo;There is no voice for children and youth in the justice system to ensure adequate funding, programming and supports are in place in states and localities.&rdquo;A former administrator of the agency notes that assuming the reins of the juvenile justice agency involves &ldquo;a steep learning curve,&rdquo; even for those experienced in youth justice. The OJJDP appointment could serve as a catalyst for the federal government&rsquo;s coordination with states that have been financially handicapped and unable to safeguard efforts to protect young people.
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