YPSILANTI, Mich. - It's supposed to be a safe place to learn and grow, but some youth advocates say in Michigan there is a growing tendency to criminalize rather than educate children, which is why they are working to fight what's been dubbed the "school-to-prison pipeline."
Peri Stone-Palmquist, executive director of the Student Advocacy Center of Michigan and a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Michigan, says policies such as zero tolerance discipline and mandatory expulsions and suspensions often push the most at-risk kids right out of school and into the criminal-justice system.
"Michigan, in particular, has sort of gone beyond what the federal intent certainly was, which was not to allow kids to have guns in schools," she says. "We have actually one of the harshest and overly broad discipline codes in the country."
The Gun Free Schools Act of 1990 mandated zero tolerance for firearms and referrals to law enforcement for violators, but Michigan has since adopted legislation requiring suspension for many other offenses.
Stone-Palmquist acknowledges school discipline is difficult, and often requires split-second decisions on the part of teachers and administrators, but she feels it's important to move toward a more nuanced approach.
"What is the student trying to tell us?" she asks. "Really understand the family situation - was there a crisis in the family? Almost always, the students I see, there's been something going on either in school, with their peers, or something going on at home. So how can we provide support?"
She adds that the job of adults is to give kids the space to make mistakes and help them learn from those choices.
"I have kids in school, I want them to be safe, but I don't actually think we're creating a climate of safety when all we're doing is pushing kids out and not inviting them back in," she says. "That's not teaching them how to make better choices. "
Stone-Palmquist praises discipline techniques such as the "Restorative Approach," which brings together all those affected to work to repair relationships. Several Michigan schools have taken a pledge called "Solutions Not Suspensions," affirming a willingness to re-evaluate discipline policies.
NASW Michigan is actively working toward closing the school-to-prison pipeline, and putting an end to zero tolerance.
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By Melea VanOstrand for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration
Inner Beauty Program Inc. and New Breed of Youth Inc. mentoring programs are preparing to host their 2024 Fight For Joy Christmas Extravaganza weekend celebration.
The event will kick off Friday with a free “guns down, gloves up” youth boxing showcase with a dinner provided.
Kareem Hines is founder and chief executive officer of New Breed of Youth’s mentoring program, also known as New B.O.Y. “We’re just using the sport of boxing to help develop character, to help develop self-confidence in these young men, to help develop maturity and their social and emotional awareness, but more importantly to have a conversation with them about what guns are doing to our communities.”
On Saturday, the annual Inner Beauty and New B.O.Y. holiday awards ceremony will highlight and affirm community leaders and young people in the organizations’ mentorship programs.
“We highlight our youth that have been doing amazing things such as our young entrepreneurs, our martial arts class. Inner Beauty has a dance and art program, so these programs are put on full display, and it gives us the opportunity to include these young people’s families.”
One-hundred fifty families with children ages 6 to 17 will participate in a toy giveaway. “Youth will be able to come in and go through four lanes, grab toys from each lane, and just revel in the Christmas spirit. It’s free. We’ll have a Santa so they can take pictures with Santa. We’ll have some really nice toys. The community and different organizations have really stepped up to the plate and provided us with funding so we can have a lot of toys for these young people.
A big ticket lane will be available for children who have a report card with all A’s and B’s. “We’re talking PlayStations, Xboxes, electric bikes, motorcycles, Beats headphones and all those things that kids like in today’s culture.”
It’s the first year that the mentoring organizations have done the toy drive. Hines says it’s important to give back this year because families in the city have experienced a lot of trauma. “We want to be that bright spot. 2024 was a tough year. Some families are not looking forward to the holiday season because of their financial situation. Some families did not have a happy Thanksgiving. We want to make sure we provide a platform and opportunity for them to usher into 2025 with a bright outlook.”
Registration for the toy drive has closed, but Hines says he aims to make it inclusive for anyone who reaches out to New B.O.Y organization.
Melea VanOstrand wrote this article for WISH-TV.
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This month marks the 25th anniversary of a federal law designed to give states flexibility in helping older kids transition out of foster care.
States such as Nebraska have updated their programs, but advocates say services are still underutilized. In 1999, the U.S. government enacted a law that gives states money to carry out independent living programs for kids in foster care, soon to be adults. But the Annie E. Casey Foundation says fewer than half of those eligible receive services.
Hope Cooper, who leads the Journey to Success campaign to raise awareness of this issue, said these kids often face a steep climb at a key stage in life.
"They faced a lot of adversity in their early years," she said, "and we have the opportunity - and we really have to meet that opportunity - to provide some really targeted, additional supports to smooth that climb."
Nebraska's program, which is voluntary, saw more than 340 young adults participate in 2022. The Casey Foundation said only about one in four successfully completed it.
National advocates have urged state and federal lawmakers to do all they can to close gaps. This past year, Nebraska opted to include youths aging out of the juvenile justice system who lack any family support.
Cooper said a range of services under these state-level programs can help with things such as job training and housing stability. Beyond the federal law, she said other forms of support have emerged.
"We're trying to create more educational stability for young people during their junior high and high school years," she said, "and creating more supports for young people as they go and pursue higher-education opportunities."
On a broader scale, she said some "fine-tuning" is needed to implement these programs, to ensure they meet their potential. A number of states have also extended foster care to youths beyond age 18 to help with these transitions. Nebraska's independent living program serves 19- to-21-year-olds.
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As winter sets in, advocates are spotlighting the need for after-school programs to provide Indiana youth with safe spaces to build skills, stay engaged, and foster positive relationships.
Research shows participation in organized activities improves mental and physical health.
Tami Silverman - president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute - said the settings foster belonging, confidence, and resilience, reducing feelings of isolation, and promoting positive peer relationships.
"We know that social isolation is on the rise - and so, we're looking at that social isolation going up," said Silverman, "and also, the need for kids to belong. And say, 'What can we do about it? How do we counterbalance that?'"
Silverman said these activities can create safe spaces for youth to set goals, face challenges, and grow.
She added that they provide critical networks of supportive adults, especially for those lacking consistent guidance at home or school.
Silverman said physical activity through team sports improves fitness and lowers risks of obesity and related health issues.
Structured programs also help kids manage stress, avoid risky behaviors, and build a foundation for lifelong success.
Research links extracurricular participation to higher grades, better attendance, and greater college enrollment rates.
"Research, particularly from Child Trends, that talks about those activities build skills such as teamwork, communication, conflict resolution," said Silverman. "I mean, you can see how those skills could go right back into the classroom."
Advocates say addressing barriers like cost, transportation, and availability is essential to ensuring all children can participate.
They say more resources for youth programs can help Indiana create more inclusive and supportive environments.
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