This NCCD FOCUS is an update on the community conversations held across California with Latino community stakeholders on the status of Latino youth and the creation of a Center on Latino Youth Development

Angela Gallegos-Castillo

Vanessa Patino

English

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 FOCUSViews from the National Council on Crime and DelinquencyAugust 2006Bridging Community, Research, and Action:An Emerging Center on Latino Youth DevelopmentAngela Gallegos-Castillo, Ph.D.Vanessa Patiño, MPAThis NCCD FOCUS is an update on the community conversations held across California with Latino commu-nity stakeholders on the status of La-tino youth and the creation of a Center on Latino Youth Development.IntroductionFor the past year, The National Council on Crime and Delinquency has met with over 150 individuals, includ-ing youth, parents, and community-based organizations, within the fi elds of  juvenile justice, government, health, education, public policy, youth leadership, and law enforcement in a planning process to help establish a Center on Latino Youth Development (CLYD). Across the country, but especially in California, the shifts in demographics dictate a more unifi ed and concerted re-sponse to the issues facing the largest and fastest grow-ing adolescent population. In doing so, we work towards strengthening all communities and our future.Views from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency2 August 2006What Do We Know? We can no longer fail to pay attention. Latino adoles-cents have strength in numbers, strength in culture, and strength in communities. However, too little information exists on this very important population. According to the U.S. Census, Latinos represented 12.5% of  the U.S. population in 2000, and the Latino population in the United States grew by 58% between 1990 and 2000. It is expected to grow at three times the rate of  the total U.S. population during the next decade.The Latino community in the U.S. is younger than its Black and White counterparts. More than one third of  the Latino population is under the age of  18. Latino adolescents make up 42% of  the general adolescent population in California, 40% in Texas, 35% in Arizona, 21% in Florida, and 19% in New York (Puzzanchera, Finnegan, & Kang, 2005). Latina adolescents are the largest racial/ethnic group of  girls in the country. Nationally, statistics show that most Latino adolescents come from two-parent households, participate in the Positive CharacteristicsLatinos share these resilient characteristics:Work ethic: have one of the highest workforce partici-pation rates.Family: have a high rate of family formation, are more likely to be married.Government assistance: are unlikely to be depen-dent on government assistance programs.Health: are a healthy group with low death rates for chronic illness.Source: Hayes-Bautista, D., 2004.labor market at high rates, value education, and work extremely hard at reaching their goals. With a growing population come increased challenges. The poverty rate among Latinos is three times higher than that of  Whites, even with two-income households (Kockhar, 2004). In California, Latino children and youth are more likely to live in poverty than children of  any other ethnic group. In 1999, 32.3% of  Latino children lived in poverty. One in four Latino children is uninsured and has limited access to health care. With regard to education, Latino adolescents drop out of  school at rates as high as 50% in some districts or graduate unprepared to go on to college, thus ultimately decreasing their competitive advantage in the work-force. For Latina youth specifi cally, a 1999 report by the National Coalition of  Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations suggests that the most serious threats prevalent among Latina girls included pregnancy, depression, substance abuse, suicide, and delinquency. Particularly challenging for both second and third gen-eration Latina and Latino youth is substance use. (Vega, Alderete, Kolody, Aguilar-Gaxiola, 1998).Source: Puzzanchera, C., Finnegan, T. and Kang, W., 2006. White, 35%Asian, 11%Black, 7%American Indian, 1%Hispanic, 46%California Population under Age 18 by Race/Ethnicity, 2003Views from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency 3August 2006Additionally, Latino adolescents are vulnerable due to poor, urban environments or violence within their fami-lies. Contrary to public perception, adolescents are more often the victims of  violence rather than the perpetra-tors of  it. NCCD research shows that victimization of  adolescents and young children has a direct impact on school performance, alcohol and drug use, physical and mental health, delinquent behavior, and future earning potential (Wordes & Nunez, 2002). Ineffective social in-stitutions, coupled with continued discrimination, racial profi ling, unjust law enforcement practices, institutional racism, and family dynamics, too often leave adoles-cents vulnerable to involvement with the juvenile justice system.Age Comparisons Among Latino Ethnic Groups• Cuban Americans are the oldest, with a median age of 43.6 years.• Mexican Americans are the youngest, with a me-dian age of 24.6 years.• Puerto Ricans fall in between, with a median age of 26.9 years. • A growing segment of the Latino population, Central Americans and South Americans, reported a median age of 28.6 years.Sources: U.S. Census, Demographic Profi les, 2000; U.S. Census, Educational Attainment, 2000. Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco Carried a weapon (school and community) 15% 15% 17% Alcohol 42% 40% 34% Marijuana 19% 15% 19% Attempted suicide (past 12 months) F 20% M 2% F 14% M 10% F 18% M 6%  Risk BehaviorsContact with the Juvenile Justice System Nationally, Latino youth under the age of  18 are incarcerated at twice the rate of  White adolescents, and they receive harsher treatment, even when charged for the same offenses (Villarruel & Walker, 2000). The average length of  incarceration in state public facilities is longer for Latino adolescents than any other racial/ethnic group for every offense category (Villarruel & Walker, 2000). The Latino population in the California Department of  Corrections and Rehabilitation rose nearly 20% between 1989 and 1999. Currently, involvement in the juvenile justice system for all girls is increasing at a greater rate than for boys. The same is true for Latinas. On a given day, there are approximately 18,000 Latino adolescents incarcerated in the U.S. In 2003, more than 8,000 of  them were in California alone (Sickmund, Sladky, & Kang, 2005). Of  all youths undergoing legal action in juvenile court, Latino youth compared to Whites, Blacks, and Asian Pacifi c Islanders were more likely to lack legal counsel (California Department of  Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center, 2003). In comparison to White youth, Latino youth were 1.8 times more likely to be confi ned in a secure juvenile correctional facility and 3.2 times more likely to be transferred to adult court (Cali-fornia Department of  Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center, 2004).  Zero tolerance policies at school, which have led to higher rates of  expulsions and suspension, high school drop out rates, gang involvement, and increased rates of  substance abuse have been identifi ed as risk factors for involvement in the juvenile justice sys-tem. The chart below identifi es self-reported risk behav-iors in the last 30 days among Latino students in grades 9-12 for three California counties. Source: CDC National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2005 (9th-12th Grade).Views from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency4 August 2006Juvenile Justice--Institute cultural and gender respon-sive assessments, training for staff, legal representation, and support for families; identify and terminate policies that criminalize youth; increase community-based pro-gram options, including re-entry services.Center for Latino Youth            Development What needs to be done? NCCD realizes that there has been and continues to be a gap in leadership in the fi eld of  Latino youth development and violence prevention. The right leadership can increase access to informa-tion, identify best practices, and strengthen the Latino community. With the goal of  creating a clearinghouse, NCCD has convened California Latino community-based organizations, public offi cials, academics, policy-makers, adolescents, and parents at three regional plan-ning meetings to listen respectfully to their concerns, priorities, and recommendations for the most effective type of  information a Center on Latino Youth Develop-ment can provide. Given the multitude of  challenges facing Latino youth, a multi-pronged approach is needed to support Latino adolescent development. Effective strategies in the fol-lowing areas can work towards improving life chances for more Latino youth.Individual--Strengthen cultural and gender identity; foster stronger community relations, including adult/youth alliances; develop life and employment skills; build self-confi dence.Family--Increase access to basic resources; strengthen parent knowledge base; increase employment and hous-ing opportunities; strengthen familial connections.Education--Improve the quality of  education; develop political representation; increase parent advocacy skills; inspire and motivate youth to lifelong learning.Neighborhood--Forge community development proj-ects; increase employment opportunities; increase and strengthen community youth programming; decrease violence, crime, and social disconnection through multi-agency collaborations.Latinos and the Juvenile Justice SystemIn comparison to dispositions for White youth in California, Latino youth were:• Less likely to be diverted out of the court system.• More likely to be detained in secure detention.• More likely to be incarcerated in secure juvenile correctional facilities.• Exceeded the rate of transfers to adult court by more than 3 to 1.• Less likely to have legal representation.Source: California Department of  Justice, Criminal Justice Statis-tics Center, 2004.Source: California Department of  Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center, 2003.0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%Adult CourtWardSecureDetentionArrestsPercentage of Juvenile Justice PopulationLatinoWhiteBlackAPIRepresentation of Youth in CA Juvenile Justice System by Race/Ethnicity, 2003Views from the National Council on Crime and DelinquencyAugust 2006NCCD held three of  four regional meetings, bringing together practitioners and advocates that work with Latino adolescents across the state. The fi rst was held on October 6, 2005, in the Mission District of  San Francisco, the second on January 24, 2006, in Pomona, California, and the third on May 31, 2006, in the central valley city of  Fresno. These meetings highlighted the link between Latino adolescent development and vio-lence prevention, stressing the importance of  a united community to develop a specifi c Latino youth agenda. The meetings brought together over 150 individuals and set a powerful and energetic tone for the development of  the center.NCCD knows the importance of  collaboration and partnered with the Latino Issues Forum, the Precita Center, ESPINO (Escuelas Si, Pintas No!), Commu-nity Wellness Partnership of  Pomona, and the Inland Empire United Way to conduct these meetings. Given the enormous impact of  the juvenile justice system on Central Valley youth, we are adding the city of  Stockton as the site of  the last meeting before culminating our efforts with a legislative hearing in January, 2007. At this briefi ng, legislators will hear about the status of  Latino youth in California, the impact of  violence, the juvenile justice system, and recommended solutions.Lessons LearnedThe regional meetings highlighted the needs of  the ever-growing Latino adolescent population in California. Clearly, the time is right for organizing, given the en-thusiasm and overwhelming response to both meetings. Community members are seeking data and research that increase their understanding of  the problems and point the way to solutions. The CYLD will provide leadership and support to communities in this endeavor.Participants felt strongly that the Center’s approach to youth development and violence prevention be guided by the principles of  social and restorative justice. Suc-cessful strategies for supporting youth must integrate family and community, the spiritual and the cultural, while acknowledging the diversity within Latino com-munities. The Center on Latino Youth Development can function as:A clearinghouse of  information, including best prac-tices, evaluation, fund development, and community assessment tools.A convener of  individuals and organizations work-ing to improve U.S. Latino youth outcomes.An educator to national foundations and govern-ment agencies about the needs of  Latino youth.An advocate for increased community participatory research.We have learned that there are many excellent commu-nity organizations helping Latino adolescents and their families, and one of  our objectives is to increase their visibility and document the strategies that make them successful. To fund new or continuing programs, needs must be clearly documented. With data in hand, agencies can move forward in seeking funds to expand Latino youth programming.Youth VoicesYoung Latinos have experienced many challenges in their lives, including violence. Their perspectives are im-portant to consider in identifying real solutions. At the regional meetings, youth participants shared their ideas about what they need to succeed. More quality community programs that engage them and provide leadership opportunities.More neighborhood safe places that provide mean-ingful learning opportunities.Better communication with parents.Understanding from respectful and caring adults, especially in schools.More opportunities to be part of  program planning and decision making.•••••••••5Views from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency August 2006Accomplishments & Future PlansNCCD will distribute resource information to conven-ing participants and others interested in the CLYD. We will keep everyone informed about the progress of  the center through the NCCD website, email, and periodic newsletters. To help disseminate best practices, NCCD will docu-ment promising approaches, risks and needs, best prac-tices, culturally-related program measures and outcomes (if  available), and staff  recruitment and training proce-dures. NCCD will collect data that highlights successful programs, refi nes the defi nition of  success, and identi-fi es gaps in services. The Bay Area and Southern California participants have already indicated a desire to come together again. Our goal is to facilitate a California statewide meeting within two years, and identify funding for smaller events in the regions on important and timely topics to be determined by regional members. NCCD is seeking ways to raise funds; information on funders and ideas for proposal partnerships are always welcome.The CLYD will host a national conference to identify a national Latino adolescent agenda, in conjunction with Dr. Francisco Villarruel, faculty at Michigan State Uni-versity and Acting Director of  the Julian Samora Insti-tute. Details of  this convention will be forthcoming.Riding on the momentum of  the fi rst three California meetings, NCCD is optimistic in its wish to create a national center held together by the work of  stakehold-ers and community advocates, boundless in its expecta-tions, and nationally recognized as a critical component to the healthy development of  Latino adolescents, the understanding of  which is key to the future of  Califor-nia. Please join us!ReferencesCalifornia Department of  Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center (2003). Juvenile Justice In California. Available online: http://caag.state.ca.us/cjsc/publications/misc/jj03/preface.pdfCalifornia Department of  Justice, Criminal Justice Statistics Center (2004). Juvenile Justice In California 2004. Table 15, Disproportionate Minority Contact, 2004.  Available online at: http://ag.ca.gov/cjsc/publications/misc/jj04/tables.pdfCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2005). Youth risk behavior surveillance—United States, 2005 youth online: Comprehensive results.  Washington, DC: US Department of  Health Human Services.Available at: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/Hayes-Bautista, D. (2004). La Nueva California: Latinos in the Golden State. Berkeley, CA: University of  California Press.Kockhar, R. (2004). The wealth of  Hispanic households: 1996-2002. Washington, DC: Pew Hispanic Research Center.National Coalition of  Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO) (1999). The State of  Hispanic Girls. Washington, DC: Author.Puzzanchera, C., Finnegan, T., and Kang, W. (2005). Easy access to juvenile populations. Available online: http: www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/ezapopSickmund M., Sladky TJ, and Kang W. ( 2005). Census of  juveniles in residential placement databook. Available online: http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/Cjrp/US Census Bureau 2000 Demographic Profi le Highlights. Summary File 2 (SF 2) and Summary File 4 (SF 4).US Census Bureau 2000. Educational Attainment of  Population 25 years and over by Hispanic or Latino Origin: 2000. Summary File 3.Vega, W.A., Alderete, E., Kolody, B., and Aguilar-Gaxiola, S. (1998). “Illicit drug use among Mexicans and Mexican Americans in California: The ef-fects of  gender and acculturation” Addiction. 93:1839-1850.Villarruel, F.A., and Walker, N.E. (2000). ¿Dónde está la justicia?: A call to action on behalf  of  Latino and Latina adolescent in the U.S. justice sys-tem. Available online: http://www.buildingblocksforadolescent.org/Full%20Report%20English.pdfWordes, M., and Nunez, M. (2002). Our vulnerable teenagers: Their victimiza-tion, its consequences, and directions for prevention and intervention. Oakland, CA: National Council on Crime and Delinquency.For more information on the Center on Latino Youth Development contact Dr. Angela Gallegos-Castillo at 510-208-0500 x 322 or angelagc@sf.nccd-crc.orgTo join our listserv of supporters and collaborators, please send us your email address.6

Bridging Community, Research, and Action: An Emerging Center on Latino Youth Development (FOCUS)

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Bridging Community, Research, and Action: An Emerging Center on Latino Youth Development (FOCUS)

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