News Archive

SFY Recommended in Congressional Testimony by Chief Patrick Flannelly

February 16, 2017

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.

February 9, 2017

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

February 8, 2017

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

Children a focus for RPD in 2017

December 10, 2016

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.

Juvenile Justice Jeopardy Teaches Teens About The Law

November 15, 2016

Does a police officer need a warrant to pat you down? How should you recognize your right to remain silent? What could happen if you buy something that was stolen from a friend?

Best Practices: Training Law Enforcement and Youth to Improve Relations

October 30, 2016

To improve interactions between youth and law enforcement, training and development are key. This is the mission of Strategies for Youth, a national nonprofit policy and training organization that works in 15 Indiana counties, coming to Indianapolis in 2014.

Why San Francisco Rarely Sends Youth Directly to Adult Court

October 12, 2016

Direct file is a practice by which a district attorney—not a judge—can decide if a minor as young as 14 will go to adult court. The practice is used differently across California’s 58 counties. But whether direct file will continue to be used in the state is up for a

States, Advocates Urge Caution as Federal Officials Consider New JJDPA Regulations

October 12, 2016

State officials, advocates and researchers are urging federal officials to tread carefully as they consider changes to how states demonstrate they are protecting juveniles in custody.

New Brief: “Defining the Role of School-Based Police Officers”

October 5, 2016

As part of National Community Policing Week, in collaboration with the California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs’ Association and with funding from the California Endowment, is proud to release the 3rd brief in a series of youth–focused policy briefs, “Defining the Role of School-Based Police Officers.” ...

New Brief: “Teen Brain: Preparing Your Officers to Engage with Youth”

August 31, 2016

Just in time for ‘back to school,’ the Police Foundation, in collaboration with the California Police Chiefs Association and the California State Sheriffs’ Association and with funding from the California Endowment, is proud to release the 2nd brief from a series of youth –focused policy briefs…

Policing the Teenage Brain

August 25, 2016

One organization’s approach focuses on the adults, not the kids. Strategies for Youth has spent five years essentially going door to door to convince police officers they can dramatically lower the number of youth arrests, recidivism rates, and minor offenses that can lead young people to repeated encounters with the

Trauma of witnessing police violence is not lost on children

August 22, 2016

It has been almost four years since Chicago police officers broke into Charlene and Samuel Holly’s Roseland home and held the couple and six of their grandchildren, ages 11 months to 13 years old, at gunpoint for more than half an hour. The officers, dressed in army-style fatigues, ordered everyone

Federal Investigation Of Boston Latin School Puts Carmen Ortiz In The Spotlight, Again

July 12, 2016

In the coming weeks, US Attorney for Massachusetts, Carmen Ortiz, is expected to announce the results of an investigation into alleged racial harassment and discrimination at Boston Latin High, the city’s premier public exam school. The probe started after Ortiz created a full-time civil rights unit in her administration. Many

Solano County Agencies Attend ‘Policing the Teen Brain’ Training

June 28, 2016

The Policing the Teen Brain training event seeks to improve interactions between youth and local law enforcement. The Solano County Probation Department, Fairfield Suisun Unified School District and officers from local law enforcement agencies across Solano County will be attending the Policing the Teen Brain training event June 27-30 at

Unusual Training Session Aims To Help School Resource Officers Understand What’s Going On In Teens’ Brains

June 23, 2016

Students who went to Millard North High School in the last decade probably were stopped in the halls by Officer John Martinez. He would ask about their weekends, the people they were dating or their extracurricular activities.

Why Some Officers Are Policing Kids Differently

June 10, 2016

Some of the most high-profile incidents of police violence in recent years have involved youths and teens. In Ferguson, Michael Brown was 18. Baltimore’s Freddie Gray was 25, and had a history of encounters with police. Tamir Rice, in Cleveland, was only 12.

Leominster’s Laura Jenny Named Youth Of The Year By State Boys & Girls Club

June 9, 2016

Laura Jenny was named the 2016 Massachusetts Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of America during a ceremony at Westfield State University. The 17-year-old Leominster High School senior will represent the Boys & Girls Club of Fitchburg and Leominster, as well as clubs from across the

Arresting A Parent In Front Of A Child Has Lifelong Impact, Officers Learn

June 8, 2016

Watching an officer arrest a parent can lead to painful memories for children, one that can alter their perception of police for a lifetime. "These memories endure and then they form attitudes," said Lisa Thurau, executive director of the non-profit Strategies for Youth.

Are You Smarter About The Law Than A Seventh Grader? Try Juvenile Justice Jeopardy

June 8, 2016

Juvenile Justice Jeopardy was created to teach kids their legal rights and responsibilities. The idea is that the accurate knowledge—as opposed to myths and street lore—will result in better decisions being made and fewer altercations with police officers.

Is A Return To Old-School Policing Part Of The Formula To Make Cleveland Safer?

June 6, 2016

Deputy Chief Bill Dean is a second generation police officer who is preaching a new message to officers in his city: If you understand the developing and sometimes volatile teen brain, it will make you a better cop.

City Of Cleveland Rolls Out Youth Violence Prevention Plan

May 23, 2016

As a delegation from the international Cure Violence movement prepares to visit Cleveland this week, the city has released a draft of its own violence prevention plan – a framework that builds upon existing programs and promises new data-driven strategies.

Bill seeks licensing for Mass. police officers

March 31, 2016

Massachusetts is one of only six states that doesn’t license police officers, which, according to St. Louis University law professor Roger Goldman, makes it difficult to regulate training requirements as well as hiring standards.

How Teen Brains Are Different and What That Means for Curbing Youth Violence

March 10, 2016

The room has the buzz of a high school cafeteria as police officers huddle around tables, creating lists of words that describe their teenage selves. Mischievous, sneaky, crazy, impulsive, risky, weird, emotional—and yes, even horny—make it onto supersized sticky notes that get posted on the classroom walls.

These Documents Show How Baltimore School Cops Are Trained to Be “Warriors”

March 7, 2016

Baltimore officials have launched a criminal investigation into a recent incident involving a city school police officer who slapped and kicked a 16-year-old boy in a hallway. In a graphic and profanity-laden cellphone video, which surfaced on Tuesday and quickly spread on social media, the teen stands with his back

Uphill climb for school discipline reform in Virginia

March 7, 2016

Virginia legislators have rejected three bills crafted to limit school policing statewide, exposing a rift among GOP lawmakers, in particular, over a prominent criminal justice issue being debated across the nation. A pair of other related measures are still winding their way through the legislative process.

SFY has surpassed our original 2025 goal! The Stifler Family Foundation has stepped in to match the next $25K we raise.
Help us TRIPLE our impact! Donate Now

We need your support.

$25,000 allows us to educate 5,000 new youth in 2025 with our innovative Juvenile Justice Jeopardy games.

DONATE NOW