Director Domingo Herraiz discusses the Justice Department's embrace of a grassroots program to reform its approach to crime and punishment in Government Executive Magazine's article "Imperfect Justice." BJA launched its first grassroots problem-solving criminal justice initiative in 2005 to assess what works and what doesn't work in the criminal justice system. (BJA)

Unsolicited e-mails and telephone calls promising advance payments or seeking to verify personal information are scams. The Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration will not call or e-mail individuals regarding tax or rebate information. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov to learn how to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, phishing scams, and fraud. (OVC)

Experts in crime and drug abuse prevention, law enforcement, courts, corrections, reentry, and justice information sharing are needed to review Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program applications. Interested individuals can submit their resumes to Byrne.Discretionary@usdoj.gov. (BJA)

To recognize National Police Week (May 11-17, 2008), NCJRS has posted a Police Week Special Feature. This special feature includes links to publications and Web sites containing information on law enforcement safety, equipment and technology, benefit and assistance programs, and statistics about police officers and police departments. (NCJRS)

In observance of Older Americans Month (May 2008), NCJRS has created an Older Americans Special Feature. This resource contains links to publications and other resources on topics such as elder abuse and prescription drug abuse, as well as the prevention of such activities. (NCJRS)

BJA is currently recruiting experts in the criminal justice and mental health fields to serve as peer reviewers to evaluate the 2008 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program grant applications. Interested individuals can submit their resumes to AskBJA@usdoj.gov. (BJA)

The International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) reimburses victims for expenses incurred as a result of terrorism acts occurring outside the United States. To learn more about program requirements and how to apply, visit the ITVERP Web site. (OVC)

Application deadline: June 13, 2008
OJJDP is seeking applicants under its FY 2008 Tribal Youth Program's Juvenile Accountability Discretionary Grants solicitation to develop and implement programs that hold tribal youth accountable for their delinquent behavior and strengthen tribal juvenile justice systems. (OJJDP)

Application deadline: May 29, 2008
The FY 2008 National Field-Generated Training, Technical Assistance, and Demonstration Projects grant offers awards of $50,000 to $500,000 to support the development of national-scope training, technical assistance, and demonstration project initiatives. All initiatives must focus on improving the capacity of victim service providers and allied practitioners to advance rights and services to crime victims. (OVC)

Application deadline: June 6, 2008
OJJDP has announced its FY 2008 Membership Support Services for Nonprofit Missing Children's Organizations program, which will provide resources for the grantee to support a membership organization of nonprofit missing children's organizations, provide services to law enforcement and community agencies, provide public awareness and education about child protection, and related purposes. (OJJDP)

"First Response to Victims of Crime" is a multimedia package produced by the National Sheriffs' Association. It examines the impact of crime on victims and describes how law enforcement, as first responders, can meet victims' needs. A video in VHS (NCJ 211618, 30 minutes)  and DVD (NCJ 211619, 30 minutes) formats and a guidebook (NCJ 217272, 97 pp.) are available. (OVC)

The AMBER Advocate highlights the National AMBER Alert Conference, including Elizabeth Smart's personal account of being abducted. The April issue also features: how a Florida AMBER Alert saved a child from an Internet predator, what the families of abduction victims would like police and prosecutors to know, and AMBER in Indian Country. (OAAG)

The lead article in the May 2008 issue of the COPS Office's Community Policing Dispatch discusses how police chiefs and sheriffs are responding to rising fuel costs. This issue also features articles on policing in a democratic society, community policing and community governance, new COPS Office publications, training opportunities, and upcoming conferences. (COPS)

The report "Teen Marijuana Use Worsens Depression: An Analysis of Recent Data Shows "Self-Medicating" Could Actually Make Things Worse" (NCJ 222680, 8 pp.) reveals that some teens are using drugs to alleviate feelings of depression (self-medicating). In fact, using marijuana can compound the problem, worsen depression, and lead to more serious mental disorders. (ONDCP)

Published by the Hamilton Fish Institute, "Youth Courts: An Empirical Update and Analysis of Future Organizational and Research Needs" guides communities in developing and sustaining an organizational structure that helps youth courts prevent young offenders from repeating antisocial behaviors. The report is the third in a series on youth courts sponsored by OJJDP. (OJJDP)

VictimLaw is an online database containing more than 15,000 victims' rights statutes (federal and state), tribal laws, constitutional amendments, court rules, and administrative code provisions. This resource, developed by the National Center for Victims of Crime with OVC funding, also offers brief victims' rights and justice system overviews and case summaries. (OVC)

The NIJ Conference 2008 will be held July 21-23, 2008, in Arlington, Virginia. It will showcase what works, what doesn't, and what research shows as promising. New developments in technology that increase public safety will be featured. The conference emphasizes benefits to researchers and practitioners who work together to develop effective evidence-based policies and practices. (NIJ)

Register now for OVC's upcoming training workshops, including Providing Culturally Competent Services to Victims of Crime, September 16-18, 2008, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Identity Theft: Supporting Victims' Financial and Emotional Recovery, October 8-9, 2008, in Reno, Nevada. To view course descriptions and learning objectives or to register, visit the OVC TTAC Web site. (OVC)