	California Voter	Juvenile Justice in California
	Introduction

The League of Women Voters of California

Fall 1999

Juvenile Justice in California

California Efforts to Prevent and Deal with Child Abuse and Neglect and Juvenile Delinquency with Recommendations for Improvement

From the Editors

This single-issue edition of the California Voter is the product of four years of research and discussion by League members across the state. We have enjoyed wonderful access to experts in all areas ... law enforcement, the courts, state and county government officials, academia, as well as many dedicated professionals and volunteers out in the field providing services. To all of them, our heartfelt thanks.

Juvenile Justice/Dependency in California is a system, or systems, under constant change. One commentator compared this to "fixing a 747 as it flies through the air." That is because troubled children cannot wait as academic researchers and professionals in the field try to figure out just what is the best way to treat them. Those providing services must use the best information they have to serve these children now at the same time learning and trying new techniques.

The more League members learned, the more we found there was to learn. The system is incredibly complex, serving hundreds of thousands of children across the state. The services are as diverse as the state itself, with each county developing its own programs yet regulated and funded by state and federal monies.

Each part of the system is to various degrees related to all the other parts, although this is not always reflected in policy decisions or funding. Mandates, incentives, etc., from state and federal government often work out differently than intended in the real world of county government. Decisions made by someone in one branch of the system affect children being served by other areas. For example, a decision by a judge to incarcerate a parent can throw the lives of her children into turmoil.

What we have tried to present to you in this Voter is a "snapshot in time," the current thinking of some leaders in the area, some examples of new programs that are seen to be making a difference and some resources for program development at the state and local level. We trust it will be helpful to policymakers and advocates as they strive to do what is best for all our children.

Juvenile Justice / Dependency Study Co-chairs

Joanne Leavitt Patricia S. Kuhi

From the President

Reading through this single-issue California Voter on Juvenile Justice I was reminded of statements I have heard all my life, such as: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Programs that show significant promise in the pilots spoken of here are good examples of wisdom from long ago.

As you read you will be reminded of other age-old proverbs. A stitch in time saves nine.... The studies highlighted for you in this Voter show that early intervention in the lives of at-risk children is more apt to assure success in keeping children out of further trouble.

This publication is a compendium of pilot programs, studies and excerpts of articles, all pointing to the truth of those age-old proverbs. Our grandmothers were probably not thinking of juvenile delinquents when they darned small holes in socks, but how appropriate that their common-sense approach to life would prove so fitting for the issues we face today about the children for which we are responsible. This Juvenile Justice Voter gives a sobering view of the problems faced by children in our society, but shows the rich promise of intervention strategies that truly benefit our children—if we act early.

I trust you will read the articles and use the list of resources so that you can better share with your own community the wisdom of what is working. These children belong to us all. If we do not work to prevent problems and do not intervene early in the lives of those needing help, we cannot expect these children to grow up to become contributing members of society. Remember the sage comments of past generations as we move toward helping those most at risk today.

Gail Dryden

League of Women Voters Juvenile Justice / Dependency Position in Brief

The League of Women Voters of California:

Supports a juvenile justice/dependency system which works to prevent child abuse and neglect and juvenile delinquency, which serves foster children and their families and status offenders, and which rehabilitates juvenile offenders; by promoting the safety and well-being of children and helping to prepare them for productive participation in society

Supports early identification of at-risk children and families, followed by appropriate referrals to services which work with children, youth, families and schools

Supports community efforts to provide safe supportive environments for children and their families, and institutions that respect them and promote nonviolent solutions to problems

Supports the rights and best interests of the child in preference to those of any other individual