PCCD Awards Grants to Support Juvenile Justice Efforts Statewide

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Approximately $3 million in state and federal funds to help Pennsylvania's youth, prevent harmful behaviors and support effective community programs and services has been awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

The funds, awarded at PCCD's June 14 meeting, will support a variety of programs and services designed to prevent youth from entering the juvenile justice system, educate youth about the dangers of underage drinking, and support collaborative efforts on the state and national levels.

The grants awarded by PCCD include:

• The Georgetown Juvenile Justice System Improvement Project, a collaborative effort between PCCD's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission and the Berks County Juvenile Probation Department. Pennsylvania is one of four states that will be a part of this national project, designed to help states learn and apply practical ways to use extensive research on effective juvenile justice programs in everyday practice.
• The Internet Safety Project, which provides training and technical assistance to students, parents, communities and law enforcement on Internet safety and digital technology, including social media.
• Enforcing Underage Drinking Law funds, used to support education and outreach efforts statewide geared toward preventing underage drinking.

Additional funds awarded by PCCD will be used to support statewide training for juvenile defense attorneys, implement and expand diversion programs for at-risk youth and assist Chester, Dauphin, Lancaster and Lehigh counties in funding summer work programs at evening reporting centers. These centers provide an alternative to secure detention or out-of-home placement for young offenders.

PCCD works to prevent and reduce crime and respond to the needs of victims. To achieve those goals, PCCD collaborates with state and local agencies and officials, victim service providers, juvenile and criminal justice agencies, community-based organizations and others.

For more information, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us  or call 717-705-0888.

Media contact: Tara Mead, 717-265-8470

Editor's Note: Detailed information on these grants is available online at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/document/1086269/juvenile_justice_grants_pdf.  

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency