A new report showed the rate of juvenile crime continues to fall but disparities remain in Tennessee and nationwide.

The Sentencing Project report found between 2000 and 2022, there was a 75% decline in youth incarceration around the country.

Josh Rovner, director of youth justice for The Sentencing Project and the report's co-author, said the decrease in youth incarceration may be linked to improved well-being and increased supervision.

"I think that states made some very good decisions to limit the use of detention, pretrial and commitment, post-trial for kids in the youth justice system," Rovner observed. "We also moved a lot of kids out of the adult system by raising the age in about 10 states."

The report showed on a typical day, 42 of 100,000 youths nationwide are held in juvenile facilities, pre- and post-adjudication, with rates varying widely among the states.

Rovner pointed out incarceration often leads to poor outcomes for young Tennesseans, as it removes them from their homes, separating them from their peers and parental support. He added individuals with past involvement in the criminal justice system who provide direct support, known as the credible messenger mentoring model, is a valuable alternative to incarceration.

"We also see really successful results with therapy programs such as multisystemic therapy and Functional Family Therapy," Rovner outlined. "That really gets to the root of the offending and what's going on, and in the case of Functional Family Therapy involving the whole family, to deal with the stresses that may be causing this misbehavior."

Rovner emphasized keeping juveniles out of the adult justice system ensures the youth justice trend heads in the right direction but it does not mean disparities have ended for children of color. The report found Black, Indigenous and Latino kids are being placed in juvenile justice facilities at higher rates than white kids in 2021.


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Indiana leaders are working to improve children's lives, as the state's national ranking for child well-being has slipped.

The latest report showed Indiana has fallen from 24th to 27th among states for overall child well-being, with food insecurity emerging as a major concern.

Tami Silverman, president and CEO of the Indiana Youth Institute, called results in the latest Indiana Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation "mixed," with nearly 20% of kids lacking consistent access to nutritious food, a figure worse than at the peak of the pandemic.

"We need to make sure we're leaning into some of our areas where we have the biggest challenges," Silverman urged. "We rank 32nd in the country for the health of our children, and that's physical and mental health. We're 15th in the country for economic well-being, but we're struggling as far as our kids' health."

Silverman emphasized addressing food insecurity requires focusing on basic needs like stable housing and reliable access to healthy meals. Neighboring states, including Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio, face similar challenges.

Another challenge is only 40% of three- and four-year-olds attend early education programs, resulting in learning gaps in language arts, math and other subjects later in school, which worry educators and parents.

Silverman argued such hurdles threaten children's future and demand immediate attention. However, she acknowledged the report also highlighted some bright spots.

"Teen birth rates are down," Silverman noted. "The ratio of dentists and mental health providers that are available for kids have improved. Median family income is on the rise."

Youth advocates are calling on both community leaders and policymakers to address the state's gaps in education and health to build on the progress. Silverman stressed caring for Indiana's children is everyone's job. She urged leaders to do more to push for a healthier, safer future for every child.


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An Alabama Senate committee has approved a bill that would require middle-school students to take a course on conflict resolution before high school. Senate Bill 34, sponsored by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, is designed to equip students with skills to de-escalate conflicts-particularly as social media fuels more disputes among young people. Smitherman says too many students turn to violence because they don't know how to handle disagreements.

"I've seen it get to point where folks have guns and do everything just because of that post. They don't have any kind of way of understanding how to deal with conflict resolution so the end result is to grab a gun to do something," he explained.

The bill originally applied to high school students, but after input from the state Department of Education, lawmakers amended it to focus on middle schoolers instead.

The legislation would require public schools to provide instruction in violence prevention, mediation and conflict resolution. The Education Department would be responsible for setting curriculum standards. Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, supports the measure, calling it a proactive step to address school violence at a critical stage.

"What we have found statistically is that in middle school is where we're having the majority of the problems emerging, particularly around seventh grade," he said.

Next week, the committee will hear from experts on social media and cell phone use as lawmakers consider another proposal: banning cell phones in schools and creating a social media safety course.


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Pennsylvania nonprofits are working with teens in foster care to ensure they have the resources they will need to navigate life once they are out of the system.

In Pennsylvania, about 15,000 children are in temporary foster care.

Joseph Birli, CEO of Bethany Children's Home, said they have a congregate care setting to assist those who have been traumatized. He pointed out teens may need emergency shelter if they're at risk for human trafficking. And the staff works with them as they age out of the system.

"Our 18- to 21-year-old population, we do a life skills training for them," Birli explained. "We offer them opportunities to learn about budgeting and caring for themselves so that, as they become citizens and do discharge out of service, that they're going to be somewhat prepared to live on their own."

About 20,000 young people exit foster care each year in the U.S., according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

In Pennsylvania, Birli said 18-year-olds can leave the foster care system but can return if needed until age 21 by contacting their county. He added many do return, after realizing life is tougher than expected.

Kerry Krieger, executive director of Delta Family Services, said they support foster youth through age 21 with a supervised independent living program. Young people live in their own apartments, with the agency covering rent, utilities and stipends. A life skills coach checks in weekly to offer guidance and support, filling the gap when family is not there.

"We use an evidence-based life skills curriculum, so they have to be doing the rules -- not only of the program, but of staying in dependent care -- is that they have to be going to school and/or have a job."

Krieger emphasized the goal is for a young person to leave care with a supportive, unpaid adult connection, but also with some education and job skills, stable housing and access to health care. She added in Pennsylvania, a person 16 or older with a history of foster care can get a tuition waiver they can use at many state or community colleges.


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