As the debate over accountability in the 2014 fatal police shooting of Tamir Rice roils on, child advocates hold hope that the most lasting change to come after the 12-year-old’s death is that Cleveland ends up with one of the country’s most progressive policies for how police interact with children.

Even after questionable killings of young black men in Cleveland, Ohio, Ferguson, Mo. and most recently, Houston, Texas, states have done little to establish uniform standards of conduct guiding police interaction with youth. That’s according to a new national report that was released this week by Cambridge-based Strategies for Youth. States lacking standards include Massachusetts.

States play almost no role in setting standards for the way law enforcement agencies interact with young people, according to a nationwide survey released May 31. The lack of such standards represents a “missed opportunity” for helping youth avoid the harmful lifetime consequences of involvement with the justice system, according to the survey produced by Strategies for Youth, Inc., a Cambridge, MA-based nonprofit.

Let the punch flow far and wide: the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Inter-Site Conference is back! JDAI is the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s efforts to reduce the use of pretrial detention in the juvenile justice system. This is the 25th anniversary of the year that former boss Bart Lubow and other Casey leaders established the initiative.

NBRPA Kicks Off 2017 Full Court Press [with SFY!] in Farmindale The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) kicked off its 2017 Full Court Press: Prep For Success program on Saturday, April 1 in Farmingdale, New Jersey at Middle School North along with partners Jr. NBA, Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL), Leadership Foundations, and Strategies For Youth. Legends participating in the clinic included Anthony Avent, Tony Campbell, Terry Dehere, Tamecka Dixon, and Adrienne Goodson. The former players spent the day providing basketball instruction through the Jr. NBA curriculum, while the NBRPA’s partners taught the kids in the classroom about life lessons.

Technology has grown so fast that most of us can’t keep up. Suddenly, it’s easier to text, tweet or “like” than talk, yet the absence of human contact and interpersonal relationships leave out a basic psychological need – the need to communicate face-to-face. Police are not immune to this reality and, in fact, law enforcement has had to adapt their methods of communication in order to help the communities they serve. But, that doesn’t mean that communication, as we once knew it, is no longer valuable or necessary. In fact, face-to-face interaction is more important than ever, especially when it comes to law enforcement and our communities.

Video: Strategies for Youth is recommended in this Congressional testimony by Chief Patrick Flannelly at a hearing before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce entitled: Providing Vulnerable Youth the Hope of a Brighter Future through Juvenile Justice Reform.

WSBT Fox 22 News Story: Police Officers Looking to Build Relationships with Kids.

WNDU NBC 16 News Story: Michiana Police Take a Look into the Mind of a Teenager.

When officer Tim Davis enters a school classroom, he connects with the students, bringing energy and enthusiasm to delivering important safety messages while building important relationships. “He’s just got that gift,” Richmond Police Department Chief Jim Branum said.