Resources Worth Noting

COPS Issues Guide For Law Enforcement About Bullying in Schools

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services at the U.S. Department of Justice has issued a new guide called Bullying in Schools. This publication provides law enforcement personnel with information about the causes and extent of bullying in schools and recommendations for developing effective approaches and practices that contribute to student safety.

Conference on Domestic Violence

The Family Violence Prevention Fund will host the Fifth Biennial National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence to advance the health care system’s response to domestic violence from October 8-10, 2009, in New Orleans, LA. Speakers will include the nation’s medical, public health, and family advocates in the domestic violence prevention field. Attendees will be able to earn Continuing Education Units.

Strength of Battered Women Marked in October

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence will celebrate October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, marking Monday, October 5, 2009, as a national Day of Unity. This commemoration is intended to celebrate the strength of battered women and their children. The coalition offers a full range of legislative, educational, and support programs.

Police Forum Releases Publication on Communication During Public Health Emergencies

The Police Executive Research Forum, with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, has published Communication and Public Health Emergencies: A Guide for Law Enforcement. Sections of this report, written by U.S. and Canadian law enforcement and public health experts, include sections on Risk Communication, Internal Communication Planning, Interagency Communications, Communicating With the Public, Working With the News Media, and Recovery and Incorporating Lessons Learned.

Last Chance: Chiefs of Police Annual Conference

The 2009 Annual Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police is set for October 3-7 in Denver, CO. More than 15,000 law enforcement professionals are expected to attend the conference, the 116th annual gathering of its kind. The conference will feature speakers, forums, and technical workshops, and the largest exhibit hall of products and services for the law enforcement community.

Red Ribbon Week in Late October

Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated this year from October 17-25. Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to make a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug-free lives. The week commemorates the death of DEA Special Agent Enrique Camarena, who was killed while enforcing drug laws.

Celebrate Crime Prevention Month!

This month is Crime Prevention Month. Read the tips at the beginning of this issue of Catalyst or go to NCPC’s website for ways to celebrate!

Pandemic Flu Guidelines for Community Corrections

A new publication from the American Probation and Parole Association, Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Planning: Guidelines for Community Corrections, provides guidance for community corrections agencies that are developing preparedness and response plans for pandemic flu and other types of emergencies.

Midwest Conference on Child Sexual Abuse Treatment

The University of Wisconsin (Madison) will sponsor the 24th Annual Midwest Conference on Child Sexual Abuse Treatment from October 18-October 21, 2009, in Madison, WI. The goal of the conference is to provide a wide range of information on the latest developments and treatment methods and to suggest improved ways of dealing with the day-to-day challenges that occur in working with child sexual abuse. The conference is aimed at law enforcement officers, child protection workers, attorneys, therapists, and anyone with a need to know more about child sexual abuse treatment.

Leadership in Victim Services Training

The Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) is holding a Leadership in Victim Services workshop from October 14-15, 2009, in Rapid City, SD. This workshop is designed for victim service providers in leadership positions. Using case studies, it will focus on the qualities, attitudes, style, and strategies of leaders in victim services.

Workshop on Supporting Children Living With Grief and Trauma

The Office for Victims of Crime’s TTAC is holding a workshop titled Supporting Children Living With Grief and Trauma: A Multidisciplinary Approach, from October 27-28, 2009. It will be held in Baltimore, MD. This training will focus on the needs of children who experience grief and trauma as a result of homicide and how victim service providers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement can work together to serve these children.

Economic Crime Conference To Be Held in Ohio

The National White Collar Crime Center, in collaboration with the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, will host the Ohio Economic Crime Symposium on October 22, 2009, in Columbus, OH. The theme is Flourishing Frauds in a Faltering Economy, and the focus will be on the economy’s impact on white collar crime.

Language Barriers and the Law

The Vera Institute of Justice publication, Bridging the Language Divide: Promising Practices for Law Enforcement, is now available. This 68-page publication discusses how law enforcement agencies of all sizes, capacities, and circumstances can overcome the language barriers they encounter in their jurisdictions.

New Publication on Community Policing

A new publication from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, Community Policing: Looking to Tomorrow, is based on a series of roundtable discussions held across the country, where police chiefs, sheriffs, and other leaders shared their views. A wide range of views reflected broad professional experience, but this document captures a strongly held commitment to deliver the best quality police service to the communities served.

Identifying and Responding to Elder Abuse

Identifying and Responding to Elder Abuse, a two-day training event to be hosted by the Office of Victims of Crime’s Training and Technical Assistance Center, will provide the information and skills to identify, respond to, and prevent elder abuse. It will cover such topics as the types of abuse and the settings in which they may occur, the perpetrators and prevalence of this abuse, and the intervention role of the victim service professional. The training will be held November 18-19, 2009, in San Jose, CA.

Publication on Healing the Effects of Violence on Children

The Safe Start Center has released Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children’s Exposure to Violence. This resource is intended to help parents and other caregivers understand the potential impact of exposure to violence on the development of children. It provides practical suggestions for supporting the healing process and provides recommending strategies tailored to specific age groups.

Federal Forum Releases Statistics on Children’s Well Being

The Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics has released America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well Being, 2009. This document tracks three demographic measures and 40 key indicators and features children with special health care needs. The forum has published this report on an annual basis since 1997.

COPS Publication on Community Governance

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services has released Advancing Community Policing Through Community Governance: A Framework Document. This publication discusses a collaborative approach between cities and police departments in solving community problems and issues. It examines the emergence of community governance, defines the strategy and its elements, and provides examples from the field.

Web Banners for Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

The Office of National Drug Control Policy has announced the addition of new Web banner ads to its National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Ad Gallery. These ads are targeted to teenagers and parents and are available as free public service announcements to support anti-drug efforts in local communities.

October is National Cyber Safety Awareness Month

The National Cyber Safety Alliance sponsors National Cyber Safety Awareness Month each October. This commemoration is intended to encourage everyone to protect their computers and the nation’s critical cyber infrastructure. This year’s theme is “Our Shared Responsibility,” and it is aimed at home users (including children, adults, and seniors), teachers, and business people.

Conference on Protecting Juveniles in the Justice System

A conference dedicated to the theme Ensuring Safe and Equal Treatment in the Justice System will be held October 26-29, 2009, in Austin, TX, and focus on the four core requirements of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 2002. Sponsored by the State Relations and Assistance Division of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the conference will focus specifically on deinstitutionalizing status offenders, separating juveniles from adults in secure facilities by sight and sound, removing juveniles from adult jails and lockups, and reducing disproportionate minority contact within the juvenile justice system. Registration is free but restricted.

Black Children Focus of Late October Conference

The National Black Child Development Institute will hold its 39th Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, October 24-27, 2009. This year’s theme is “Cultivating Genius: Imagine the Possibilities.” The conference, which attracts between 1,500 and 2,000 people each year, is aimed at the educators, administrators, early care and educational professionals, human service specialists, policy makers, and researchers who serve more than 2.5 million black children nationwide by providing educational services intended to improve their quality of life. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be one of the featured speakers. Register here. Continuing Education Units will be available through an arrangement with George Mason University.