VIPS Program Activities and Milestones
Read about the recent Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program activities and milestones from 2002 to 2008.

Drug Court Training
Registration for the Drug Court Planning Initiative (DCPI) is open from August 18-September 29, 2008. The National Drug Court Institute will deliver five-day training programs for eligible jurisdictions who are planning to develop an adult drug court. DCPI is designed to educate jurisdictions on the basic concepts of a drug court program and equip teams with fundamental skills necessary to implement a program.

National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Webcasts
One of BJA's partners, the National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (NADEC), is conducting its second of a series of webcasts, "Perinatal Substance Abuse: Policy Implications," on September 3. For more information and to register, visit the NADEC web site.

28 CFR Part 23: Proposal to Amend Criminal Intelligence System Operating Policies for State and Local Law Enforcement
The Office of Justice Programs is publishing this proposed rule to amend its regulations that govern the operating policies of criminal intelligence systems that receive federal funding under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (‘‘Crime Control Act’’). The regulations were issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 3789(g), which requires that ‘‘criminal intelligence systems’’ receiving Crime Control Act support must collect, maintain, and disseminate criminal intelligence information ‘‘in conformance with policy standards which are prescribed by the Office of Justice Programs.’’ The statute specifies that the policy standards must be written to assure that the funding and operation of the systems further the purpose of the funding provisions and assure that such systems ‘‘are not utilized in violation of the privacy and constitutional rights of individuals.’’ The existing regulations were last revised in 1993 and the purpose of the revisions proposed in this document is to clarify and update the regulations in light of the new, post-9/11 information sharing environment and investigative policies aimed at preventing terrorism. Written comments must be submitted on or before September 2, 2008. To view the proposed rule or make comments, visit www.regulations.gov.

CSG Justice Center Releases Online Reentry Assessments Tool
With support from BJA, the Council of State Governments Justice Center has released an online assessments tool for state and local government professionals working to make prison and jail reentry safer and more successful. The tool was developed to familiarize state and local government officials with different assessment instruments used in corrections systems across the nation to gauge the risks and needs of someone admitted to prison or jail.

Challenges and Solutions to Implementing Problem-Solving Courts
BJA, in partnership with the State Justice Institute (SJI) and American University (AU), Justice Programs office, jointly sponsored a focus group of judges and court administrators who did not directly work with any problem-solving court program, but who had extensive experience with court management issues within jurisdictions where problem-solving courts operated. The focus group discussed the challenges these individuals had experienced in incorporating a problem-solving court in their court system and recommended solutions to these challenges. The results of the focus group, summarized in Challenges and Solutions to Implementing Problem-Solving Courts from the Traditional Court Management Perspective, will help inform BJA and SJI regarding the appropriate next steps for policy development and implementation in this area.

National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Conference
The 5th Annual National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Conference will be held in Salt Lake City on October 6-8, 2008. This event will provide training on the latest research and best practice strategies for Drug Endangered Children efforts at the community, state, and federal level. The conference will include topics related to child welfare, environmental health, medical, prevention, the judiciary and drug courts, substance abuse and mental health, continuum of care, and topics specific to Tribal nations. Visit www.nationaldec.org for the agenda and more details.

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
BJA is supporting our partners at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and its Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) as they celebrate the 19th annual National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. Recovery Month, which occurs in September 2008, supports individuals and families that have overcome addiction in all its forms and will acknowledge and celebrate the individuals within the criminal justice and social service sectors who help bring recovery to those in need. This year's theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery." To learn more about Recovery Month or an event taking place in your community, visit http://recoverymonth.gov/.

Drug Market Intervention
On September 22-23, the High Point Police Department will host a training conference in Greensboro, NC on their Drug Market Intervention strategy, which has been successful in reducing violent crime in several local neighborhoods, specifically the West End neighborhood. For more information, see the conference flyer or contact Major Marty Sumner at 336-887-7817.

Celebrate Safe Communities
Safe communities are the result of law enforcement working with residents as equal partners in preventing crime. In recognition of this principle, BJA, the National Crime Prevention Council, and the National Sheriffs' Association have joined together to Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC). The CSC project will help kickoff October as Crime Prevention Month by recognizing the vital role residents play in keeping their neighborhoods safe. From October 2-4, 2008, communities across the country will host crime prevention events in neighborhoods, with schools, and in collaboration with local businesses. For more information about starting or participating in an event, visit www.CelebrateSafeCommunities.org.

GMS On-line Training Tool Available
The OJP Grants Management System (GMS) On-line Training Tool assists grantees in administering their awards through the GMS. The online tool provides step-by-step instructions to complete various functions within GMS, as well as the administrative policies associated with Grant Adjustment Notices, Progress Reporting, and Closeouts.

Pandemic Influenza
BJA has developed an online information resource on Preparing the Justice System for a Pandemic Influenza and Other Public Health Emergencies. Resources recently added include two guideline documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Emergency Medical Services. Also visit www.pandemicflu.gov.

Police Executive Fellowship Program (PEFP)
As a state or local law enforcement official, are you looking for a professional management and leadership opportunity at the Department of Justice? BJA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are seeking leaders from state and local law enforcement to serve on rotational assignments at both BJA and ATF to assist with federal law enforcement policy, operations, and training that will subsequently benefit state and/or local agencies. (PEFP Fact Sheet)

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