National PTA Applauds House Education and Workforce Committee Passage of Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Sept. 15, 2016)—Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce passed the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act, which would reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and strengthen the nation’s juvenile justice system. The JJDPA was originally signed into law in 1974 and has been due for reauthorization since 2007.

“Reauthorization of the JJDPA is long overdue. Improvements need to be made to the law to prevent children and youth from entering the juvenile justice system and to better protect those currently in the system,” said Laura Bay, president of National PTA. “National PTA applauds the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the leadership of Representatives Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) and Bobby Scott (D-VA) for passing the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act. We commend their bipartisan commitment to ensuring greater support, opportunities and alternatives to incarceration for our nation’s youth.”

The Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act would improve current law by:

·         Incorporating family and community-based services and alternatives to incarceration

·         Keeping detained youth separate from adults while they are awaiting trial

·         Phasing out exemptions that allow youth detainment for minor offenses

·         Ensuring the continuity of children’s education while detained and a smooth transition back into the classroom after

·         Encouraging states to use data and implement strategies to reduce racial and ethnic disparities among youth in the juvenile justice system

“Since 1899, National PTA has advocated for policies that prevent juvenile delinquency, protect children and youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system, and provide youth in the system with services to help them become productive members of society,” added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “National PTA is encouraged by the action today in the House, as well as that of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which passed a similar bill in July 2015. It is critical that Congress sign a strong JJDPA reauthorization bill into law this year that enhances protections for youth and helps every child reach his or her full potential.”

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth.

About Washington State PTA

Founded in 1905, the Washington Congress of Parents and Teachers, better known as the Washington State PTA, is the largest volunteer organization in the state, with more than 132,000 members in more than 875 local PTAs across the state. 

Help Washington State PTA speak up for kids. Each year, the association selects its legislative priorities, and hearing from you is a valuable step in the process. Your responses will assist voting delegates in setting the 2016-17 legislative platform. Take the survey here. Survey closes Thursday, October 6 at 12:15pm. Proposed issues include Restorative Justice and School Safety and Engaging Families in Student Success. Learn more here.

Advocacy in Action

Kudos and applause to Endeavor Elementary School PTSA leaders Care Maree Harper, President, and Taya Montgomery, Advocacy Chair, who attended Focus Day in Olympia. The two advocates volunteered to testify against SSB 6195, which has been commonly called "a plan for a plan," in front of the Senate Ways & Means Committee. 

"The time to fully fund basic education in our state is right now, not next year, not two years from now," said Montgomery, speaking on the bill's intent to delay action on funding McCleary until 2018.  Harper shared that her PTSA has provided more than $70,000 in grants to the elementary school the past two years for items such as reading programs and technology - things that should be covered by state funding. 

Also addressing committee members was JC Mitchell of the Highline PTA Council. Mitchell reminded legislators about their paramount duty to fund education, and encouraged them to step up now and take action. 

To watch these first-time testifiers, here's the clip on TVW about 37 minutes into the video: http://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2016021077

In addition, Heidi Bennett, a veteran at testifying, supported HB2820 - the Washington Promise Grant - on behalf of the Washington State PTA. While supporting more affordable access to higher educational opportunities through policies like the Washington Promise, Bennett also reminded legislators to support full funding for K-12 basic education. "Neither should be funded at the expense of the other," said Bennett. 

Her testimony before the House Higher Education Committee is here, about 28.5 minutes into the segment. http://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2016021068

Thank you to all of our WSPTA advocates who attended Focus Day on February 3 and shared messages with their legislators at hearings and through individual meetings. 

Mark your calendars now for the 2017 Focus on Education Day, which will be held Monday, January 16, 2017 (Martin Luther King Jr., Day). 

Marie Sullivan

Legislative Consultant

Washington State PTA

WSPTA BOARD PRESIDENT STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION

Tacoma, WA (August 13, 2015): Washington state’s highest court issued an order sanctioning the state for failing to develop a plan to fully fund K-12 education per the court’s 2012 McCleary decision. The governor and lawmakers will meet Monday to begin addressing the court’s recent decision.

The Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA) President Barbara Martin, issued this statement today concerning the Supreme Court’s ruling on McCleary:

“Fully Funding McCleary is the WSPTA’s number one legislative priority and we are extremely pleased with the Supreme Court decision to ensure that fully funding education and holding the legislature responsible to comply with the constitution, is in the best interest of Washington’s children and will provide them with the best education possible.”

About Washington State PTA: The Washington State PTA was founded in 1905 by Abby Williams Hill of Tacoma, an artist who saw the need for an organization to support Washington's children. Thanks to her leadership and vision—and over 132,000 current members who have carried her vision forward—Washington State PTA has been a leading voice for children in Washington for more than 110 years. To learn more about the Washington State PTA, please visit www.wastatepta.org.

1304 S. Fawcett Avenue, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98402 (253) 214-7410

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