FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? OJJDP?

THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2002??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ??????????? ? ??????????? ????????????? 202/307-0703

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Youth Court Training Package Receives National Award

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Youth Court Training Package produced by the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs? Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) was selected by the Association of Educational Publishers from more than 1,000 entries in six categories to receive its ?Excellence in Educational Multimedia Publications for Children? award.? The award was presented at the National Press Club on June 5.? OJJDP collaborated with the American Bar Association and the American Probation and Parole Association in the development and distribution of this instructional package for youth and adult volunteers involved with Youth Courts.

?The Youth Court program is an effective tool in dealing with young offenders who commit minor delinquent acts or other problem behavior.? The youth are judged by their peers for their offenses and sentenced to community service for behavior that harmed others and the community,? said J. Robert Flores,? OJJDP?s Administrator.? ?We?re very pleased that OJJDP was instrumental in providing training materials for this excellent program.?

Over 900 Youth Courts currently operate in 46 states and the District of Columbia.? The Office of Justice Programs recognizes youth court as one of the fastest growing crime prevention/intervention programs in the nation.? In 2001, the National Youth Court Center trained more than 3,000 youth and adults on the best practices to implement or enhance youth court programs in their communities.

For further information on Youth Courts or to order a copy of the training package, call 1-800-285-2221 or contact http://www.youthcourt.net/.? For more information on the Office of Justice Programs, go to http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/.

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