Attend event in Houston on juvenile justice

If you live in Houston and have minor-aged children, especially if they've ever had scrapes with the juvenile justice system, you may want to attend this forum next month sponsored by the good folks at the Texas Coalition Advocating Justice for Juveniles (TCAJJ, pronounced "T-Cage").

Here are the details from an email I received this morning from past-Grits guest blogger Isela Gutierrez, the coordinator for TCAJJ:

October 5th Forum on Juvenile Justice: Please join Houston TCAJJ members for a “Forum on Juvenile Justice- Houston, Harris County and the State of Texas. ” This community teach-in will feature youth, parents, community representatives and elected officials putting their hearts and minds together to dialogue about how to create a stronger, more effective and responsive juvenile justice system.

The event will be held 6-8 PM, Thursday, October 5th, 2006 at the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast ( 50 Waugh Drive, Houston, TX 77007) . Directions can be accessed from the TCAJJ website. We anticipate an energizing, entertaining and informative evening where you can learn more about these issues from the rich tapestry of testimonies and reports, views and perspectives directly from people who know: elected officials, mental health professionals, parents of incarcerated youth, formerly incarcerated youth, youth advocates, and public policy experts.

Sponsors include: Blackout Arts Collective, Children Defense Fund-TX, Children At-Risk, Fifth Ward Enrichment Program, French Town Civic Association, Ministers Advisory Council, Inc., No More Victims, Southwest Juvenile Defender Center , Texas Coalition Advocating Justice for Juveniles, and Voices of the Future.

The email included a flyer attached promoting the issue which I couldn't find on the web, so I reproduce its contents here here:

Forum on Juvenile Justice:
Houston, Harris County and Texas

Thursday, October 5, 2006
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast
50 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77007

While many social issues are vying for time and attention, the importance of alternative community programs for children cannot be denied. This forum will bring together the minds of youth, parents, community representatives and elected officials to discuss the juvenile justice system and access to mental health treatment, which has become a concern in Harris County. This forum is open to anyone who would like to participate in an informative dialogue between the community and state and local leaders.

Panelists will include:

• Rep. Harold Dutton, Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues

• Rep. Sylvester Turner, Chair, Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal Justice;

• Judge Eric Andell

• Constable Victor Trevino

For More Information, Please Contact:

Ernest McMillan at 713-229-8353 or emack@fwepinc.org

Mandi Sheridan at 713-869-7740 or mandi@childrenatrisk.org

Malikah Marrus at 713-743-1385 or mmarrus@central.uh.edu