U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center
Georgeann C. Rooney, threat assessment specialist
Arlington, Va.
As a result of NTAC's research into attacks on public officials, public figures and in schools, the Secret Service has provided relevant information and advice to law enforcement and other professionals who are charged with investigating and/or preventing targeted violence.
Phone: 202.406.5708 (public affairs)
Web: www.secretservice.gov/ntac.shtml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; http://www.cdc.gov
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it’s the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting U.S. public health activities. Its divisions on adolescent and school health and on violence prevention oversee numerous centers and programs. Among them are:
National Academic Centers of Excellence on Youth Violence Prevention; http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/res-opps/ACE/ace.htm
These 10 centers, at universities around the country, connect academic and community resources.
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/index.htm
Its division of adolescent and school health (DASH) conducts the national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. These annual surveys gather data on child injuries and accidents; tobacco, alcohol and drug use; school-related violence; sexual behavior; diet and physical activity.
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/dvp.htm
It provides statistics and background on child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, suicide and youth violence.
National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center; http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/index.asp
It provides information on research, statistics and programs regarding violence committed by and against young people.
Contact: media relations, 404.639.3286; in.the.news@cdc.gov
Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics; http://www.childstats.gov
A collaboration of federal agencies and departments, the forum fosters coordination in collecting and reporting federal statistics on family and social environment, physical environment and safety, behavior, education, economic circumstances, health and health care. Such data are compiled in the annual report, “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-being,” released each July.
Contact: Shara Godiwalla, forum director, 301.458.4256 or sgodiwalla@cdc.gov. Or, contact agency representatives
Federal Bureau of Investigation; http://www.fbi.gov
The bureau collects and analyzes arrest reports from around the nation. Its Uniform Crime Reporting Program compiles statistics for several annual reports. One is “Crime in the United States,” which looks at the volume and rate of offenses for the nation, states and individual agencies. The FBI also has done a topical study on “The Structure of Family Violence: An Analysis of Selected Incidents.” The FBI operates a Crimes Against Children Program, investigating child sex crimes, computer porn, child abduction and more. Links include the National Sex Offenders Registry.
Contact: Ernest Porter, public affairs unit chief, 202.324.5348; ernest.porter@ic.fbi.gov or public.affairs@ic.fbi.gov
For crime reports, contact Stephen Fischer, spokesman for the Criminal Justice Information Services Division in Clarksburg, W. Va., 304.625.5820
Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice; http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/
OJP provides federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, improving the criminal and juvenile justice systems, increasing knowledge about crime and related issues, and assisting crime victims. Contact: OJP office of communications, 202.307.0703
Its many components include:
National Criminal Justice Reference Service; http://www.ncjrs.gov/app/topics/topic.aspx?topicid=122
It compiles data, trends and reports on topics such as adjudication of juvenile cases; crime in schools; female juvenile delinquents; gangs; juvenile curfews; juvenile sex offenders and more.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/
OJJDP was established to help youth in crisis, from serious, violent and chronic offenders to victims of abuse and neglect. It collaborates with professionals from diverse disciplines to improve juvenile justice policies and practices, and it works with states and local governments to develop effective prevention and intervention programs.
It oversees:
Juvenile Justice Clearinghouse;
http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/Programs/ProgSummary.asp?pi=2
This offers the latest research findings, publications on youth-related issues, practical guides and manuals, and other resources. It also maintains the JUVJUST listserv, providing information about DOJ reports and activities as well as those of countless other justice and youth-services organizations.
Statistical Briefing Book; http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/
Maintained by the National Center for Juvenile Justice (see below), it provides the most current statistics and trends in juvenile justice and victimization, such as characteristics of the juvenile population or supports for juvenile reentry and aftercare. Its data analysis tools enable users to run their own comparisons.
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare; http://www.ncsacw.samhsa.gov/index.asp
Part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the center addresses cross-system issues involving child welfare, substance abuse, dependency courts and tribal and family judicial systems. It collects and disseminates analysis and research to help child welfare and other professionals improve their services and policies.
Contact: Kay Springer, media team leader, 240.276.2141; kay.springer@samhsa.hhs.gov
Committee on Education and Labor, U.S. House of Representatives; http://edworkforce.house.gov/
Its Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee has jurisdiction over adolescent development and training programs. These include but aren’t limited to: programs providing for the care and treatment of certain at risk youth, through the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; all matters dealing with child abuse and domestic violence, including the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and child adoption; school lunch and child nutrition; and poverty programs including the Community Services Block Grant Act; all domestic volunteer programs; library services and construction, and programs related to the arts and humanities. George Miller (D-Calif.) chairs the committee; Howard McKeon (R-Calif.) is the ranking member.
Contact: Press officers for Miller, 202.226.0853, or McKeon, 202.225.4527
AUDIOCASTS
The experts interviewed for the Any School, Any Time documentary share their valuable insights on the issue of school violence. Listen to their complete interviews by downloading them below. Right-click on "Download" (Macintosh control-click) and select "Save target/link as" to save the selection to your computer or iPod.
Dr. David Mays, MD, PhD – Total Time 39:06
Forensic Psychiatrist
http://www.wapp.org/mays_bio.htm
> Download
Michael Dorn – Total Time 34:00
ExecutiveDirector, Safe Havens International
http://www.safehavensinternational.org/aboutus_meetstaff_MichaelDorn.php
> Download
Linda Goldman – Total Time 27:00
Counselor, Grief Therapist
http://www.childrensgrief.net/
> Download
Georgeann C. Rooney – Total Time 16:28
Threat Assessment Specialist, U.S. Secret Service
www.secretservice.gov/ntac.shtml
> Download