National Criminal Justice Reference Service NCJRS is administered by the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice JUSTICE INFORMATION August 15, 2009 Volume 15, Number 16. Access this issue online at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/justinfo/Aug1509.html JUSTINFO, published the 1st and 15th of each month, highlights information from the NCJRS sponsoring agencies. ************************************************************************* CONTENTS Announcements - BJA Launches Redesigned Web Site (BJA) - Honoring Homicide Victims and Their Families (OVC) - Submit Crime Victims' Service Awards Nominations Online (OVC) Publications - Best Practices for Implementing New Justice Initiatives (BJA) - Firearm Transfer Background Checks Data Released (BJS) - FY 2010 Adult Service Plan Available (NIC) - Guide Provides Insight Into Effective Communication (BJA) - PREA Status Report Released (BJS) - Resource Helps Caregivers Address Exposure to Violence (OJJDP) Online Resources - August Issue of SMART Watch Available (OJP) - Current Issue of OJJDP Newsletter Released (OJJDP) - Responding To Homeless Victims of Sexual Assault (OVC) Conferences and Trainings - Attend Mass Casualty and Violence Conference (OVC) - Crime Victims With Disabilities Conference Scholarships Available (OVC) - Enroll To Attend Fall 2009 Workshops (OVC) - Regional Training Addresses Effectiveness of Youth Courts (OJJDP) - Workshop Designed To Evaluate Gender-Responsive Programs (OJJDP) ************************************************************************* *** Announcements *** BJA Launches Redesigned Web Site BJA's goal is to dialog with you about the latest developments in the field, new initiatives, funding opportunities, upcoming training sessions and conferences, and other related subjects. Please use the new feedback form to submit comments about the redesigned Web site and suggestions for new or improved content. (BJA) For more information, visit: http://bja.ncjrs.gov/app/contactus/contactus.aspx http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/ ============================================================ Honoring Homicide Victims and Their Families September 25, 2009, is the National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. To commemorate this observance, Parents of Murdered Children, Inc., Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center, Inc., are sponsoring a symposium on September 25 in Washington, DC, to honor victims and their courageous survivors. A candlelight ceremony will follow the symposium. Call 1-800-438-6233 to register to attend these events. (OVC) For more information, visit: http://www.pomc.org/ http://www.madd.org/ http://www.mdcrimevictims.org/ ============================================================ Submit Crime Victims' Service Awards Nominations Online Application deadline: September 30, 2009 OVC is accepting nominations for the 2010 National Crime Victims' Service Awards via the online nomination form. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that demonstrate outstanding service in supporting victims and victim services. The honorees will be announced just before National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April 18-24, 2010) commences. (OVC) For more information, visit: https://ovcncvrw.ncjrs.gov/awards/default.html ************************************************************************* *** Publications *** Best Practices for Implementing New Justice Initiatives "Avoiding Failures of Implementation: Lessons from Process Evaluations" examines failures that occur during the implementation of new initiatives. This paper also seeks to identify common sources of failure and to develop a fundamental list of considerations that may help criminal justice reformers avoid future pitfalls. (BJA) For more information, visit: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/pdf/CCI_Failures.pdf ============================================================ Firearm Transfer Background Checks Data Released "Background Checks for Firearm Transfers, 2008 - Statistical Tables" describes the number and outcome of applications for firearm transfers or permits subject to background checks. (BJS) For more information, visit: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/html/bcft/2008/bcft08st.htm ============================================================ FY 2010 Adult Service Plan Available The National Institute of Corrections has posted its Fiscal Year 2010 Adult Service Plan, “Technical Assistance, Information, and Training for Adult Corrections, October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010” (ACCN 023761, 128 pp.). This service plan presents the training programs, technical assistance opportunities, and information services available for correctional executives and practitioners working in federal, state, and local adult correctional agencies. (NIC) For more information, visit: http://nicic.org/Library/023761 ============================================================ Guide Provides Insight Into Effective Communication "Communication and Public Health Emergencies: A Guide for Law Enforcement" summarizes the goals, principles, and strategies for developing a communication plan, with an emphasis on the importance of risk communications. It discusses the factors that influence an individual's perception of risk and how officials can manage fear and provide information to residents during a public health emergency. (BJA) For more information, visit: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/pdf/PERF_Emer_Comm.pdf ============================================================ PREA Status Report Released "PREA Data Collection Activities, 2009" (NCJ 227377, 2 pp.) reports the BJS activities, as required by the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA), to carry out, for each calendar year, a comprehensive statistical review and analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape. (BJS) For more information, visit: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/abstract/pdca09.htm For Ordering, visit: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/ShoppingCart/ShopCart.aspx?item=NCJ+227377&repro=0 ============================================================ Resource Helps Caregivers Address Exposure to Violence "Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children's Exposure to Violence" provides practical information on recognizing signs of children's exposure to violence and advice on helping children who have been exposed. The guide, published through OJJDP's Safe Start Center, is available in English and Spanish. (OJJDP) For more information, visit: http://cart.safestartcenter.org/ ************************************************************************* *** Online Resources *** August Issue of SMART Watch Available The latest issue of "SMART Watch" (NCJ 227926) announces that Linda M. Baldwin has been appointed as the new director of the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking (SMART). It also includes articles on the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, SMART's 2009 national symposium, and current grant activities. (OJP) For more information, visit: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/smart/smartwatch/09_august/index.html ============================================================ Current Issue of OJJDP Newsletter Released The latest issue of OJJDP News @ a Glance reports on recommendations for enhancing the dependency court process for tribal children. It also includes articles on OJJDP's National Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Conference, a Tribal Youth Program field trip, and the visit of foreign delegations to OJJDP. (OJJDP) For more information, visit: http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/news_at_glance/227625/index.html ============================================================ Responding To Homeless Victims of Sexual Assault On August 26, 2009, at 2 p.m. ET, OVC will present a Web Forum Guest Host Session on serving homeless victims of sexual assault. Join Jessy Haywood, community educator and trainer at the Center for Women and Families, and Katya Fels Smyth, founder of the Full Frame Initiative and On the Rise, Inc., for the discussion. (OVC) For more information, visit: http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/index.asp ************************************************************************* *** Conferences and Trainings *** Attend Mass Casualty and Violence Conference The OVC conference on Mass Casualty and Violence at Home and Abroad - OVC Assisting Victims of Crime will be held October 19-21, 2009, in Arlington, Virginia. The conference will bring together first responders, victim service professionals, policymakers, and experts in mass violence. The deadline for registration is September 28, 2009. (OVC) For more information, visit: https://www.ovcttac.gov/MassCasualtyConference/ https://www.ovcttac.gov/MassCasualtyConference/registration_form.cfm ============================================================ Crime Victims With Disabilities Conference Scholarships Available Scholarship application deadline: September 1, 2009 The National Professional Training Conference on Responding to Crime Victims with Disabilities will be held September 30 to October 2, 2009, in Denver, Colorado. A limited number of individual scholarships of up to $1,000 are available. The Bureau of Justice Statistics will present the first findings about nonfatal violent and property crime experienced by persons with disabilities drawn from the National Crime Victimization Survey. (OVC) For more information, visit: http://www.register123.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x125952abcd ============================================================ Enroll To Attend Fall 2009 Workshops Register for OVC's upcoming training workshops, including Compassion Fatigue/Vicarious Trauma, September 2-3, 2009, in Atlanta, Georgia, and Enforcing Victims' Rights, September 29-30, 2009, in Providence, Rhode Island. To view course descriptions and learning objectives or to register, visit the OVC TTAC Web site. (OVC) For more information, visit: https://www.sei2003.com/ovcttac2009/CompassionFatigue.asp https://www.sei2003.com/ovcttac2009/VictimsRightsSept.asp https://www.ovcttac.gov/trainingCenter/training.cfm ============================================================ Regional Training Addresses Effectiveness of Youth Courts On August 24-25, 2009, in Baltimore, Maryland, the National Association of Youth Courts will conduct its regional Share, Learn, and Connect Regional Training Conference. Topics that will be addressed include building relationships with schools, data collection and evaluation, and sustainable funding. (OJJDP) For more information, visit: http://www.youthcourt.net/content/view/29/14/ ============================================================ Workshop Designed To Evaluate Gender-Responsive Programs On October 28-30, 2009, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, OJJDP's Girls Study Group will conduct an Evaluation Technical Assistance Workshop. The workshop will equip organizations to evaluate their gender-responsive delinquency prevention and intervention programs that are designed to meet the unique needs of girls. (OJJDP) For more information, visit: http://girlsstudygroup.rti.org/dsp_workshop.cfm ************************************************************************* Ordering Instructions - Resources available for online ordering are noted with the reference "Order Online." Order these items online by searching for the NCJ number on the NCJRS Web site at http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/AlphaList.aspx NCJRS Online Resources - View the NCJRS Web site at http://www.ncjrs.gov - Have a question? Search our database of Questions and Answers at http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/QA/SearchQA.aspx - Can't find an answer? E-mail us at http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/QA/SubmitQuestion.aspx - Have a comment or suggestion? 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