MJJA PRESS RELEASE

May 25, 2010
MJJA Elects 2010-2012 Board Members

Missouri Juvenile Justice Association is pleased to announce the election of the following individuals to its Board of Directors for the 2010-2012 Board Term:

President: Tammy Walden, Camdenton; Vice President: Marcia Hazelhorst, Fulton; Secretary: Beverly A. Newman, Warrensburg; Treasurer: Doug Abrams, Columbia; Members: Vera Freeman, Kansas City; Joyce Guleff, St. Louis County; Catherine Horejes, St. Louis City; Jordan Land, West Plains; David Boucher, Jefferson City; Paul Roberts, Jefferson City; Brad Turner, Warsaw; and Paula Cunningham, Jefferson City. Ex Officio-Kim Moeckel, St Louis.

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March 25, 2010
Missouri Juvenile Justice Assocation Recieves Grant Award to Reduce Disproportionate Minority Contact

Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA) has been awarded a grant from the Department of Public Safety Statewide Advisory Group to reduce Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Juvenile Justice System in Missouri. The grant is a collaboration between the Office of State Courts Administrator and the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Disproportionate Minority Contact is defined as the study and evaluation of the rate of contact with the juvenile justice system for minority youth and the outcomes they experience versus non-minority youth.

Nationwide, at every stage of the juvenile justice system, youth of color are overrepresented and receive disparate treatment. Youth of color are arrested, charged and incarcerated more than white youth for similar conduct and are disproportionately represented at every decision-making point in the juvenile justice system. Missouri’s disparity is proportionately very similar.

MJJA will establish a statewide steering committee and work group. Three communities with high minority populations who are committed to work on this project will develop strategies to address disproportionate minority contact. Training and technical assistance will be provided to the local communities. During the MJJA 2010 Spring Educational Conference a workshop on DMC will be presented by The Center for Children’s Law and Policy (CCLP). CCLP is a public interest law and policy organization focused on reform of juvenile justice and other systems that affect troubled and at-risk children, and protection of the rights of children in those systems.

Carolyn Kampeter has accepted the position of Statewide DMC Coordinator. Kampeter holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and is a Certified Project Manager. She has experience with the courts, law enforcement and communities. She most recently was Program Manager for the Criminal Justice Integration Project.

For information about Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, please visit www.mjja.org

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April 13, 2009
Department of Public Safety Manager Wins Prestigious National Juvenile Justice Award

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo -- The Missouri Department of Public Safety has been notified that Sandy Rempe, Manager of the department’s Juvenile Justice Program, is the winner of a prestigious national award that recognizes excellence in the field of juvenile justice. The Tony Gobar Award recognizes a state juvenile justice specialist who exemplifies service to others, dedication and commitment to improving the juvenile justice system, and compassion and concern for juveniles and their advocates.

Department of Public Safety Director John M. Britt said, "Deputy Director Andrea Spillars and I would like to congratulate Sandy Rempe for her efforts on behalf of Missouri’s youth. This national recognition comes as no surprise to those of us who work with Sandy at the Department of Public Safety.”

Ms. Rempe has worked as the Department of Public Safety Juvenile Justice Program Manager for 12 years. Under her leadership, the Juvenile Justice Program administers four federal grants that provide annual funding to 60 state and local agencies in Missouri to help support juvenile justice and delinquency prevention initiatives. Additionally, grant funds are utilized for training on juvenile justice, systems improvements, and intervention programs. The Juvenile Justice Program is also responsible for on-site monitoring of law enforcement and juvenile facilities.

In addition to managing the Juvenile Justice Program, Ms. Rempe serves on numerous advisory groups, committees, and commissions including the Drug Court Commission and the Mental Health Transformation Leadership Work Group.

Ms. Rempe said she considers the award “recognition of all the people in Missouri who work so hard with youth intervention and prevention. There are lots of people working tirelessly to do the best things for children. Children respond so well to people who are interested in them. It’s really important that we put as much time and effort into helping our youth because I’ve seen it can make a difference.”

Missouri regularly receives national recognition for its approach to juvenile justice issues. The Division of Youth Services has been hailed for developing the "Missouri Model," which emphasizes rehabilitation in small groups. It's credited with reducing expensive confinement costs and producing one of the lowest recidivism rates in the country. Other states are now working to adopt the "Missouri Model." Ms. Rempe also credits and commends the Missouri Children’s Division, the Juvenile and Family Courts, the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association, the Department of Mental Health, the schools, and prevention agencies throughout Missouri for working together to produce a strong juvenile justice system in Missouri that strives to provide the best care and services for our youth.

Ms. Rempe, who was nominated by the Missouri Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, will receive the award at the annual Coalition for Juvenile Justice National Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 4. The Tony Gobar Award is named in honor of the late, longtime Juvenile Justice Specialist from the state of Mississippi.

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January 28, 2009
Reforms Demonstrate Cost-Effective Ways for Missouri to Increase Public Safety and Rehabilitate Youth

Jefferson City, Mo. – The National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) has released the third edition of its “Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform.” The publication catalogs the wide and impressive array of reforms in the field of juvenile justice that occurred over the last 18 months in Missouri and beyond, many of which reallocate funds to more sensible and cost-effective means of increasing public safety and rehabilitating youth.

Highlighted reforms include newly passed state and federal laws, administrative policy changes, judicial decisions and new funding allocations. The document also includes a new section, “Promising Commissions and Studies,” that focuses on a range of government-sponsored efforts which are frequently the precursors to concrete, instituted reform.

“Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform,” released Tuesday, demonstrates to policy makers in Missouri that reforming state juvenile justice systems is a growing trend. The publication includes reforms from Missouri, as well as numerous reforms across the country in the areas of community-based alternatives to confinement, facility closures, and procedural and substantive protections for youth.

“We're honored to see Missouri highlighted as a leader in more humane and effective approaches to juvenile delinquency. Public safety is increased and long-term costs are reduced as we hold youth accountable and provide them with tools and experiences that support law-abiding and productive citizenship," said Tim Decker, Director of Missouri Division of Youth Services.

Sandy Rempe, Juvenile Justice Specialist, added: “The Division of Youth Services has become well-known for the services it provides to Missouri’s youth. I am gratified that the efforts of so many people at the Division, with the support of the courts and the community, have been rewarded in such a way. The juvenile justice system in Missouri is that much stronger for it.”

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October 29, 2008
Ray Grush receives AJH Award

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association has selected Ray Grush as the 2008 recipient of the Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award. Grush serves as Family Court Administrator with St. Charles Juvenile Justice Center.

The award is named after former Missouri Supreme Court Chief Justice Andrew Jackson Higgins. Established in his honor in 1992, this award recognizes an individual who shares an extraordinary commitment and exceptional dedication to the enhancement of a quality juvenile justice service delivery system for youth in Missouri and who epitomizes the foundation upon which Missouri Juvenile Justice Association is based.

Nominations for the award are submitted by a host of state youth serving agencies and from the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association. The award committee conducts a formal review and study of all nominees prior to final selection.

The award was presented to Grush during Missouri Juvenile Justice Association’s Fall Educational Conference on Oct. 23 at Lodge of Four Seasons at Lake of the Ozarks.

Missouri Juvenile Justice Association Director Vivian Murphy introduced Judge Higgins, who presented the award to Grush. During his remarks, Grush thanked Missouri Juvenile Justice Association and Judge Higgins.

Asked of what he is most proud, Grush said: “Clearly, it is the common mission we all share in the juvenile justice field, regardless of agency or role within that agency. We do important work and, when we work together, we do it well.”

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June 1, 2008
MISSOURI JUVENILE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION NAMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Juvenile Justice Association is pleased to announce the following persons as its Board of Directors for the 2008-2010 Board Term.

President, Kim Moeckel, St. Louis County; Vice President, David Boucher, Jefferson City; Secretary, Marcia Hazelhorst, Fulton; Treasurer, Vera Freeman, Kansas City; Douglas E. Abrams, Columbia; Tammy Walden, Camdenton; Brent T. Buerck, Jefferson City; Joyce Guleff, St. Louis County; Catherine Horejes, St. Louis City; Stan Smith, West Plains; Marcella Gladney Lee, Kansas City; Beverly A. Newman, Warrensburg; Paul Roberts, Jefferson City; and Brad Turner, Warsaw.

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MISSOURI JUVENILE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF MISSOURI GUIDELINES FOR MANAGING CHILDREN FOUND AT METHAMPHETAMINE LABORATORY SITES

Thanks to funding secured by Senator Kit Bond, from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA) and the University of Missouri-Columbia's Truman School of Public Affairs have developed guidelines to assist communities in dealing with children who are found at methamphetamine sites in Missouri.

"Some of the most horrible child injury stories I have heard have their origin in methamphetamine abuse," said U.S. Senator Kit Bond. "These new guidelines are an important step in protecting the children found in meth labs. By working together we can help these children and tackle this dangerous epidemic."

Meth labs are extremely dangerous environments for children. Many chemicals used to make meth are highly toxic. Some can be explosive or catch fire easily. Children residing in a methamphetamine laboratory environment often display signs of developmental delay, cognitive deficits and behavioral problems. These children are also at increased risk of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

“This is an example of state agencies and organizations working together for the benefit of our most vulnerable children” said Vivian Murphy, MJJA Director. The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association and the Institute of Public Policy in the MU Truman School of Public Affairs worked with workgroup members representing over 20 agencies and a multidisciplinary steering committee to develop the Guidelines.

Next steps are to develop a training curriculum based on these guidelines and use this curriculum to provide regional training programs this summer to multidisciplinary personnel throughout Missouri. A Web-based course focused on these guidelines will also be developed.

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November 28, 2005
Missouri Juvenile Justice Association and MU Team to Assist Children Found In Meth Labs

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, methamphetamine, or meth, is considered the fastest-growing illicit drug in America. Missouri is one of the top meth-producing states in the nation with labs located in sheds, barns and homes, many with children. Missouri leads the nation in meth labs' seizures. Now, thanks to funding secured by Sen. Kit Bond, from the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association (MJJA) and the University of Missouri-Columbia's Truman School of Public Affairs are teaming on a project designed to improve the safety and medical care of Missouri children who are found in or near a meth lab.

"Senator Bond's advocacy to fight meth prompted him to contact MJJA because of our mutual concern about the health and well being of children  who are found in or near meth labs," said Julie Cole Agee, MJJA director. "The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association's 'Children in Meth Labs Project' seeks to improve the safety and medical care of children found in meth labs ."

Currently, many agencies in Missouri may have their own procedures for handling children found in meth labs, but no uniform statewide protocol exists that allows for easy coordination among these agencies. This project will specifically address this issue.

"The MJJA and the Institute of Public Policy in the MU Truman School of Public Affairs will work with three workgroups and a multidisciplinary steering committee consisting of representatives from various agencies to develop, implement and publish statewide, coordinated interagency protocols for children in meth labs," Agee said. "We will develop a training curriculum based on these protocols and use this curriculum to provide six regional training programs to multidisciplinary personnel throughout Missouri. We also will develop a Web-based course focused on these protocols."

The committee will meet for the first time on Nov. 29 to begin working on the protocols.

Meth is a highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system. It's created from toxic chemicals, many of which are commonly found in or around the home. Children living in and near meth labs commonly face contamination from toxins used and created in the meth-making process. These toxins can be found on all surfaces of the residence, including children's toys. Chemicals used to produce meth often are stored in unlabeled food and drink containers on floors and countertops, placing them easily within the grasp of young hands. Children also are more likely than adults to absorb meth lab chemicals into their body because of their size and higher rate of metabolism and respiration. Other risks for children include fire and explosion, child abuse and neglect, social problems and in some cases death.

" Safeguarding the quality of life of Missouri's children is crucial to the future of our state," Bond said. "In continuing our fight against meth, we must take care of its most defenseless victims – our children . I look forward to working with the Missouri Juvenile Justice Association and the Truman School of Public Affairs in the development and implementation of the necessary statewide, interagency protocols that will assure the health, protection, and well-being of each child found in or near a meth lab."