WEST
WINDSOR - The New
Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
(JJC) hosted a training symposium today
entitled, "Educating Our Communities:
Best Practices, Strategies and Interventions
to Address Youth Gangs." Approximately
200 participants attended the conference,
which was held at the Mercer County Community
College Conference Center here.
In his opening remarks, JJC Deputy Executive
Director Thomas Flanagan stated, "The
New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission
understands that gangs and gang related
activities impact every community in our
State. The JJC is committed to giving
our communities and their youth the tools
they need to succeed. Together, we can
make sure that young people understand
that gang life is not the road to success,
but rather the path to destruction."
Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said
training symposiums such as today’s
are an integral part of his office’s
overall strategy to combat street gang
activity by increasing awareness among
young people and adults.
"Our
young people need to know the long term
consequences of joining a gang,"
said Harvey. "And our law enforcement
partners, teachers, parents, legal guardians
and community stakeholders need to know
the warning signs of gang activity. Training
sessions such as this one are critical
to increasing that knowledge base. If
we can convince our youth that gangs are
the wrong choice, we can prevent them
becoming adult gang members."
Today’s conference was made possible
by a grant from the Department of Education,
Office of Program Support Services. The
two State agencies have jointly identified
the need to address youth gang activities
and issues in New Jersey through the development
of a youth gang prevention and intervention
project. This training session, one of
several regional conferences held this
year, provided up-to-date information
on the youth gang presence in New Jersey
and issues associated with identification
and best practices in prevention. Workshop
sessions were conducted by members of
the Juvenile Justice Commission’s
Gang Management Unit and members of the
NJ State Police Street Gang Bureau. Topics
included: Current Trends in Youth Gangs,
Graffiti, Youth Gangs and Music; Female
Gangs; and Kid Rap.
Through the funding provided by the Department
of Education, the JJC has developed a
cutting-edge education curriculum, entitled
Phoenix, that corresponds with the New
Jersey core curriculum standards. Members
of the JJC’s Gang Management Unit
are also available to conduct workshops
in the community. One-day training sessions
can be adapted to meet an audience’s
specific needs and information level.
The JJC’s Gang Prevention and Intervention
Initiative has become a highly recognized
resource throughout the State of New Jersey.
The JJC is the state agency responsible
for providing juvenile rehabilitation
and parole services. Established in 1995,
the JJC serves to coordinate services
and policies effecting delinquent youth
throughout the State. From prevention
to parole, the JJC is a partner in the
entire juvenile justice system working
with communities to help redirect the
lives of young people.
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Realizing
Potential & Changing Futures
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