Practice-relevant information in the areas of Mental Health, Education, Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Family Involvement, Primary Care, Substance Abuse, and Youth Development

Assessing the Mental Health Status of Youth in Juvenile Justice Settings

This bulletin published by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports the results of a study of the Voice DISC-IV, a version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC) that is self-administered using a computer and headphones. The Voice-DISC offers several advantages for use within the juvenile justice system—notably, minimal staff support requirements, immediate scoring that generates provisional psychiatric diagnoses, and the assurance of privacy that can enhance the willingness of youth to disclose sensitive personal information.

“Assessing the Mental Health Status of Youth in Juvenile Justice Settings” (NCJ 202713) is available online at http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/publications/PubAbstract.asp?pubi=11733 .

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Moving on to High School: A Tip Sheet for Parents of Children on Individualized Education Plans

This tip sheet is based on the experiences of students with disabilities in public schools ages 14-17 and their families. All the students had Individualized Education Plans, and all were moving on from the middle school grades to high school (9th grade). It lists some things parents can do to make the most of what their schools have to offer their children.

To read the tip sheet, visit http://www.communityinclusion.org/publications/pub.php?page=to19 .

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Using Evidence-Based Parenting Programs to Advance Efforts in Child Maltreatment Prevention

In a new report, “Using Evidence-Based Parenting Programs to Advance CDC Efforts in Child Maltreatment Prevention—Research Brief 2004,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention summarize several prevention initiatives aimed at encouraging and promoting positive parent-child interactions. The initiatives are the result of extensive strategic planning and consultation with child maltreatment prevention experts and promote positive parenting skills. By acquiring such skills, parents and caregivers can better manage children's behavior and prevent violence before it occurs.

To read the bulletin, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/parenting/default.htm .

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My Future My Plan Curriculum in Spanish

The popular transition curriculum My Future My Plan, developed by State of the Art, Inc. in collaboration with the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition, is now available in Spanish. My Future My Plan is a curriculum designed to motivate and guide students as they begin early transition planning for life after high school. The curriculum package, which may be used in home, school, and community settings, includes a videotape and discussion guide, a workbook for students, and a guide for family members and teachers.

The complete curriculum package costs $55. For more information, visit http://www.ncset.org/publications/mfmp.asp .

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Guides for the Journey: Supporting At-Risk Youth with Paid Mentors and Counselors

Public-Private Ventures explores the use of paid counselors who work with high-risk youth for extended periods of time, and profiles three programs using this strategy. They present a rationale for paid-mentor counselors, discuss how such programs can be implemented, and discuss why these programs should attract the attention of funders and policymakers.

To read the 24-page report, visit http://www.ppv.org/ppv/publications/assets/173_publication.pdf .

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Improving Learning for Struggling Students

The National Youth Employment Coalition's Education Development Network has published the second edition of a self-assessment guide that illustrates how caring, adult support; schooling in smaller, less anonymous development; positive peer groups; and rigorous education and training coupled with work experience can make a difference. The report identifies criteria for effective practice and a self-assessment tool for the field.

Free registration is required to download the report at settings; leadership http://www.nyec.org/EdStrategies.html .

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Steps to Success: Communicating with Your Child's School

Developed by the Consortium for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education and its partner, the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, this resource offers specific communication skills that may be helpful to parents as they develop and maintain partnerships with their child's school. A Spanish language version of the document will be available soon.

To read the English version of the document, visit http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/success.cfm .