2012 -- S 3065

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LC02705

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012

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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

URGING THE DEPARTMENTS OF RHODE ISLAND'S EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH

AND HUMAN SERVICES TO STRENGTHEN YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION

EFFORTS IN RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Senators Pichardo, Picard, Metts, Hodgson, and Crowley

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2012

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

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     WHEREAS, Nationally, youth violence is the second leading cause of death among

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young people between the ages of ten and twenty-four years; and

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     WHEREAS, Violence affects the health of entire communities. It can increase health care

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costs, decrease property values, and disrupt social services; and

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     WHEREAS, The risk factors surrounding youth violence are complex and can include

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mental health issues, early involvement with alcohol, drugs, and tobacco, and low levels of social

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cohesion within a community; and

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     WHEREAS, In 2011, 255 Rhode Island juveniles were referred to family court as a result

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of violent crimes committed; and

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     WHEREAS, It is estimated that only five percent of eligible high-risk juvenile offenders

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are effectively treated with an evidence-based intervention annually; and

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     WHEREAS, Youth of color are overrepresented within the juvenile justice system and it

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is essential to promote fair and unbiased juvenile justice systems; and

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     WHEREAS, Partner agencies, schools, law enforcement, families, and communities must

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work collaboratively in order to strengthen our young people’s physical, social-emotional,

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cultural, and economic environments in ways that promote their optimal well-being and that

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prevent violence; and

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     WHEREAS, Valuable on-the-job training, work experience, and career exploration

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programs for vulnerable at-risk youths are essential to bolster self-efficacy, independence, and

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skills training for the future; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

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hereby supports the use of effective evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies to

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strengthen programs serving at-risk youth; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate hereby strongly urges Congress to fully fund the

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Workforce Investment Act (WIA) for youth employment skills training and opportunities; and be

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it further

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     RESOLVED, That this Senate strongly encourages the departments of Rhode Island’s

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Executive Office of Health and Human Services to engage in contracts that utilize evidence-

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based, clinical practices that target risk factors which are individualized and culturally competent;

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and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Senate respectfully requests the departments of the Executive

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Office of Health and Human Services to report on an annual basis to the Senate Committee on

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Health and Human Services, specific outcome data to evaluate performance measures to support

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future contracts; and be it further

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     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, the

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Governor, The Honorable Lincoln Chafee, and the Secretary of Rhode Island’s Executive Office

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of Health and Human Services.

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LC02705

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