TODAY is National Juvenile Justice Call-In Day!
July 7th, 2010
Call your Congressional Representatives and Ask Them to Make Juvenile Justice a Priority This Year!
For too long, "tough on crime" political rhetoric has resulted in juvenile justice laws that are bad for youth and that ultimately increase crime. Research has proven there are better, more effective ways to deal with youth offenders, and it is time for Congress to act to improve our nation's juvenile justice system.
Time is running out -- if we don't act now, juvenile justice reform will not happen this year!! We need you to let Congress know that voters care about juvenile justice!
* Reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The JJDPA promotes the use of community-based alternatives to detention, keeps youth out of adult facilities, reduces the disproportionate involvement of youth of color in the system. Call on Congress to reauthorize it now!
* Increase funding for juvenile justice programs, which received a significant decrease in funding in the President's proposed budget. We've seen a sharp decline in funding for juvenile justice programs since 2002. Ask Congress to preserve and increase juvenile justice funding for the coming fiscal year!
* Pass the Youth PROMISE Act to promote proven, cost-effective prevention-based strategies to reduce youth crime. Under Youth PROMISE, representatives from the communities facing the greatest juvenile crime challenges will be able to develop a comprehensive plan to prevent youth crime through a coordinated prevention and intervention response.
Action item: We need your help! Please call your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. House Representative and ask them to make juvenile justice a priority in the 111th Congress!
Please use the ZIP code box on this site: http://sparkaction.org/content/national-juvenile-justice-call-day to find the telephone numbers for your members of Congress. When you enter your zipcode, you'll see some talking points to use when you call your representative's office.
Thank you for your help!
