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A new paper published by NASHP describes ways for states to better enroll and keep youth in the juvenile justice and foster care systems in Medicaid and SCHIP, and thus help encourage improved health and development in this vulnerable population estimated at between 2 and 2.5 million. Improving Access to Health Coverage for Transitional Youth discusses the many options states have to better cover transitional youth. The paper focuses on three important aspects of keeping these youth enrolled in Medicaid and SCHIP: simplifying enrollment; enhancing retention through the transitions these youth undergo; and better integrating and coordinating services with partners. It also answers tough, frequently asked questions about eligibility at key transition points, and provides the federal guidance states need. In conjunction with the release of this paper, NASHP recently held a Web seminar on the same topic. The recorded program is available for viewing on NASHP’s Web site.  Click here to view the program.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 19th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book will be released on June 12, 2008. The annual Data Book is a national and state-by-state profile of the well-being of America’s children that seeks to enrich discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all kids.  The Data Book ranks states on 10 key measures and provides data on the economic, health, education, and social conditions of America’s children and families.  This year, the KIDS COUNT Data Book essay, “A Road Map for Juvenile Justice Reform” looks at the nearly 100,000 children confined to juvenile facilities on any given night in the United States, and what can be done to reduce unnecessary and inappropriate detention and incarceration and increase opportunities for positive youth development and community safety. 

The 2008 KIDS COUNT Data Book will be available beginning June 12, 2008 at www.kidscount.org.

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) at Georgetown University Public Policy Institute is launching two revolutionary Certificate Programs designed to advance multi-systems work to improve outcomes for youth involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. One program is for Individuals and one is for Multi-Jurisdictional Teams called the Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative. Both programs are designed to provide intensive study for leaders responsible for policy development and implementation in their jurisdictions in order to enhance systems integration and build a strong cadre of public agency leaders supportive of juvenile justice reform and better results for our young people. Participants will benefit from a deeper level of instruction and results- oriented activities. Faculty who will teach the modules are comprised of experts from across the country and within the Georgetown faculty.

Through the generous support of Casey Family Programs, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, participating jurisdictions will be able to benefit from expert guidance, professional resources, and financial assistance to support their work across the juvenile justice and related systems of care. Individuals and jurisdictions will receive financial support for the travel, lodging and tuition for the Certificate Program (details are outlined in the Request for Applications available on the Center’s website: http://cjjr.georgetown.edu).