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Archives for April 2016

by Catherine Read

Virginia’s School to Prison Pipeline

(April 18, 2016) Attorney and advocate Juliet Hiznay joins host Catherine Read for a discussion on Virginia’s status as #1 in the nation for juveniles referred to the criminal justice system. What has happened over the last several decades to bring us to a point where children as young as 8 are being charged with crimes? Juliet Hiznay describes it as “criminalizing childhood behaviors” which in our own youths were behaviors simple dealt with in an age appropriate way by school staff, administrators and our parents. Schools are increasingly turning to school resource officers and law enforcement personnel to “police” student behavior.

Data on who these students are include the unsurprising fact that race, disability and those with mental health issues are disproportionately represented in this population. Solutions must include better policies from the legislature as well as a change in school culture. The school climate varies dramatically from one county and one individual school to another. Some schools have created a safe climate without over reliance on law enforcement while other schools have disproportionately high incidents of student referrals into the criminal justice system. This issue is not on the radar of most communities in Virginia and it needs to be addressed by those in the public who see the long term danger and impact of this “school to prison pipeline.”

Filed Under: Inside Scoop, Political, TV Shows, Virginia Tagged With: criminal justice, Juliet Hiznay, juvenile justice, Mass Incarceration, school resource officers, students, Virginia Legislature

by Catherine Read

The Arc of Northern Virginia – Supporting our IDD Community

Catherine Read discusses the needs of Intellectually and Developmentally Disabled Virginians with Lucy Beadnell, Director of Advocacy for the Arc of Northern Virginia. The topics range from Medicaid Wavers to education, job training and employment opportunities, the Department of Justice Settlement with Virginia, and the school to prison pipeline which disproportionately over represents those in the IDD community.

More and more young people are being diagnosed with Autism (1 in 68 students in Northern Virginia) and they are leaving public education programs with skills and expectations but few opportunities for employment. There a many different agencies and organizations grappling with the best ways to serve this growing community of young adults. A greater awareness by the general public, as well as greater engagement with the business community, are key to integrating people in this community into our broader communities.

Filed Under: Inside Scoop, TV Shows, Virginia Tagged With: Autism, Developmental Disability, Disability, IDD Community, Intellectual Disability, Lucy Beadnell, northern virginia

Catherine S. Read
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