TN Can Tackle Racial & Ethnic Disparities

How Do We Address R/ED?

  • Ensure equitable treatment;
  • Provide effective delinquency prevention and early intervention programs;
  • Educate system participants and educate policy makers;
  • Provide cultural sensitivity and competency training for law enforcement, judges, teachers, attorneys, service providers, and concerned citizens;
  • Use more objective decision-making criteria throughout the system;
  • Make changes in processing policies and procedures;
  • Allocate limited system resources and programs equitably;
  • Implement better youth justice data collection and analysis systems;
  • Provide better monitoring of the operation of the system.

What is the Role of States?

Each state must address the question of the overrepresentation of minorities in secure confinement in the youth justice system. The state must determine where the problem exists, and to what degree numerically there is overrepresentation, and suggest solutions to ensure equal treatment for all youth.

What Has TCCY Done To Comply With the R/ED Core Requirement?

  • Grant Applications that focus services on minority children receive priority consideration for funding.
  • The Minority Issues Committee of TCCY recommended the development of the R/ED Task Force.
  • TCCY employed a R/ED Task Force Coordinator.
  • The R/ED Task Force developed preliminary recommendations for action.
  • Regional Council meetings have provided data and information about R/ED and strategies for addressing it.
  • R/ED information has been included in Juvenile Justice workshops and conferences throughout the state.
  • TCCY published two editions of The Advocate focusing on R/ED.

What Citizens Can Do?

  • Volunteer;
  • Mentor a child;
  • Tutor a child;
  • Contribute money;
  • Support public policies;
  • Support efforts to keep children in school;
  • Get involved with children in the community.