National Gang Center Newsletter, Fall 2015

• NCJ Number: 249517
• Author(s): .
• Date Published: December 2015
• Length: 12 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Technical Assistance; Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

opics addressed in this issue are conducting a gang assessment in a local jurisdiction, the promotion of adolescent behavioral adjustment in violent neighborhoods, Boys and Girls Clubs gang intervention through targeted outreach, a community collaboration to prevent gang violence, using a developmental perspective to better serve youth, and a violence reduction network (Project Highlight).

Abstract

The article on conducting a gang assessment focuses on the efficient and effective development of an inventory of data that will be needed for the assessment. This article promotes the use of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's (OJJDP's) "Guide to Assessing Your Community's Youth Gang Problem" as well as other resources. Another feature article, "Promoting Adolescent Behavioral Adjustment in Violent Neighborhoods: Supportive Families Can Make a Difference," discusses the findings of a study that found living in violent communities during childhood has negative effects on later psychosocial functioning, but this effect differs based on gender and levels of family cohesion. A third article, "Boys & Girls Clubs Gang Intervention Through Targeted Outreach" describes the components of an OJJDP initiative that involves Boys and Girls Clubs based in communities with gang problems. This initiative involves community assessment/mobilization, recruitment of gang members into the clubs, programming, and case management. The "Spotlight" feature of the newsletter describes how the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County (Washington) have become involved in a community collaboration to prevent gang violence. "Using the Developmental Perspective to Better Serve Youth" features a discussion of the latest research on the biological and related social development of youth and how this research should impact juvenile justice policies. Other articles discuss the recent update of the "Parents' Guide to Gangs," and a memorial review of the life and work of Glen David Curry.