Youth in the USA - Framework for Growing Up in the U.S.

Youth in the USA

The state of Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice also works with youth who have entered the juvenile justice system. There is programming in the Office of Juvenile Justice that focuses on harm reduction associated with the negati - ve impacts of drug use. Additionally, this office makes recommendations for treatment for young people in this system. However, the emphasis is on more punitive programs as opposed to restorative justice, financial re - sources and scholarships, and well-being programs. This demonstrates the stark difference in priorities that exist from state to state. Wisconsin Wisconsin, in the Mid-West of the United States, de - monstrates another set of priorities that can exist at the state level. Wisconsin has worked to promote a commu - nity-based juvenile justice system that puts resources towards youth counseling, assessment and treatment, community service, and teen court. There is also a Bu- reau of Refugee Programs that helps with refugee resett - lement in the state of Wisconsin that includes interpreta - tion and translation, transportation, mental and physical health services, and employment services. There are also state programs that support foster children, as well as policy to support Native American tribes and families through the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act .

New York New York State has very strong social services compa - red to many states within the United States. In terms of youth policy, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services works to promote youth and fami - ly well-being. The programming of this office works to promote equal access to quality services, individualized treatment that respects gender and sexual orientation, and cultural, physical, social, emotional and linguistic needs, and care in environments to promote healthy development. The state works with other communities to provide funding for more localized, non-profit youth development programs, runaway and homeless youth programs, scholarships and financial aid for studying, support for youth in foster care, and other enrichment services. There are also state programs that provide support for the college admissions and financial aid pro - cesses for youth. Louisiana Louisiana has fewer state government youth programs. Louisiana Youth for Excellence (LYFE) is one initiative that promotes positive youth development and builds aware - ness of consequences for at-risk behaviors with vulnera - ble youth. This includes children in foster care, children in poverty, and children in juvenile detention centers.

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