Autumn, 1997, Vol. 4, No. 1

Letter from the Editors...

Welcome to the first edition of the 1997-98 Advocate's Forum.

The decision to devote this Advocate's Forum to adolescence was an easy one. As evident in their academic work, field placements and personal interests, SSA students have demonstrated a commitment to adolescent issues.

But the decision to focus on adolescents has been anything but definitive, because who adolescents in fact are, is a complicated matter. As if holding up a mirror to a teenager's own confusion, we as a society are rather divided about who we conceive adolescents to be. For instance, recent legislation on Abstinence Education is predicated on the notion that adolescents are essentially children, and that it is society's moral responsibility to treat them as such in regards to their sexuality. This is in sharp contrast to the "Juvenile Justice" legislation currently being considered in Congress, which would erode adolescents' legal status as children and treat them primarily as adults.

Perhaps society's ambivalence towards adolescents also reflects our own, personal uncertainty. As teenagers take charge of their lives, we are afraid of the mistakes they will make, not having the benefit of the hindsight we gain as adults. It should not be forgotten, however, that it is not only their youthful indiscretion that places adolescents at-risk. Rather, they have inherited a broader environment that older generations have left behind.

As social workers, we may benefit more by embracing the spirit of adolescents, than by trying to suppress it. Although the articles in this issue highlight many of the problems facing adolescents today, we should not forget to celebrate their energy, hope and future promise.

Mary Ohannessian
Editor-in-Chief

Articles

Abstinence Funding: Is It Worth the Price?
New Legislation Denies Adolescents Vital Information
By Rebecca Nolind, SSA second-year administration student

Abstinence-Only:
Adolescent Health and Self-Esteem
By Angie Figlino, Health Promotion Specialist for the Chicago Commons Adolescent Health Promotion Project

Adolescent Fatherhood:
A Conversation with Waldo Johnson
By Robin Walls, SSA second-year social administration student

Beyond Myths:
Teen Childbearing and the Importance of Early Education
An Interview with Leon Dash
By Mary Ohannessian, SSA second-year social administration student

Wrap-Around:
A Comprehensive Approach to Adolescent Services
By Rich Furman, Yeshiva University DSW student and Director of a Wrap-Around program at the Devereux Foundation in Pennsylvania

Chicago Public Schools:
Requiring Thoughtfulness
By Stephen Baker, SSA Ph.D. student and Katie Richards, AM 1997

TeenStreet Theater:
Play on Life
By Susannah R. Quern, SSA second-year administration student

Latino Adolescents:
Meeting the Challenge in Our Schools
By Leticia Villarreal Sosa, School Social Worker and SSA Ph.D. student

Adolescents Coming Out
By Allison Stooks, SSA second-year clinical student

Combating Crime or Thwarting Justice?
By Andrea Havill, SSA second-year administration student

Too Many Hats:
A Clinical Perspective of the Dual Role of Caseworker and Therapist
By Gina Fieramosca, SSA second-year clinical student

COMMENTARY: At War With Our Future:
The Criminalization of Urban Adolescents
By Graig Meyer, SSA second-year administration student

PROFILES: Agency-Client Profile: Alternatives, Inc.:
A Model of Community Support for Adolescents
By Tina Sacks, SSA second-year administration student

PROFILES: Alumni Profile with Francis Moroney:
Social Worker Turned Educator
By Gabriela Moroney, SSA second-year clinical student

PROFILES: Student Profile with Troy Fernandez
By Graig Meyer, SSA second-year administration student

TOOLS YOU CAN USE: Ninth Annual Adolescent Aids Conference
By Rebecca Nolind, SSA second-year administration student

TOOLS YOU CAN USE: The Future is Now:
Applying the Internet in Working with Adolescents
By Gary Grant, SSA Associate Dean for External Affairs

Facts to Watch Compiled by Graig Meyer Every Day in America[6] 3 people under 25 die from HIV 6 children and youths commit suicide 13 children and youths are murdered 16 children and youths are killed by firearms 36 children and youths die from accidents 311 children are arrested for alcohol offenses 316 children are arrested for violent crimes 403 children are arrested for drug offenses 3,356 high school students drop out (per school day) 5,702 children are arrested 12- to 19-year olds are victims of more than 30% of all violent crime, but make up only 14% of the population. [7] Between 1987 and 1995, arrests of juveniles for violent crimes rose 64%, but these arrests dropped 4% in 1994, for the first time in a decade. [8] 67% of teens volunteer and 20% average more than 20 hours of volunteer time each year. [9] While 67% of teens say their schools do not require community service for graduation, an identical percentage say such a requirement is a good idea. [10] References [1] Snyder, H. & Sickmund, M. (1996). Juvenile Offenders and victims: 1996 update on violence. Washington: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice. [2] Donziger, S., ed. (1996). The real war on crime: The report of the National Criminal Justice Commission. [3] Snyder, H. & Sickmund, M. (1996). [4] Levin-Epstein, J. (1996, November). Teen parent provisions in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Washington, DC: Center for Law and Social Policy. [5] U.S. Bureau of the Census. (1996). Statistical abstract of the United States. [6-10] Children's Defense Fund http://www.childrensdefense.org/everyday.html

Key Websites for Information and Advocacy Compiled by Graig Meyer HandsNet A complete on-line community for human services professionals Child Welfare League of America Facts and figures, action alerts, advocacy tips, information on trainings and conferences, and links to hundreds of member organizations. Children's Defense Fund News and reports, policy and legislative updates, the Black Community Crusade for Children and lots of links. Stand for Children Check out information on Children's Action Teams and links to grants. SERVEnet--The world of service and volunteering Opportunities to get involved, and ideas on how organizations can benefit from volunteers. The Children Youth and Family Consortium Electronic Clearinghouse Information related to the health, education, and welfare of children, youth and families. The Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse at Florida State University Juvenile Role Model Development Program, job board, educational programs, juvenile justice program and state links. Youthlink--The voice and solutions of youth This is a page for youths. It encourages them and provides opportunities for them to become active in changing their world.

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