Juvenile crime, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, teen suicide and even normal transitions to adulthood are some of the challenges facing many of Alabama’s youth. Even in the best of homes and under the best of circumstances, teenage years are difficult for teens, their families and even communities. Peer pressure has a big impact on teens as they try to fit in with friends and classmates. Community support and programs which help adolescents make the right decision for themselves are key as they work for independence and self control.
What is VOICES doing?
- VOICES documents juvenile violent crime arrest rate and the preventable teen death rate for children in each Alabama county in our annual Alabama Kids Count Data Book.
- VOICES led the effort to enact Alabama’s first graduated teen drivers licensing law and is working now to further strengthen it.
- VOICES helped establish and works to protect funding for Children First Trust Fund to provide needed children’s services in health, mental health, education, foster care and other areas.
- VOICES was a leader in the establishment of the Foster Parent’s Bill of Rights to help children and youth in state care.
- VOICES advocated successfully for passage of the Juvenile Justice Act 2008 to reorganize and improve Alabama’s juvenile justice laws.
Learn more
Juvenile Justice
Graduated Teen Driver’s Licensing Law
From the Expert: Alabama’s Juvenile Justice System Juvenile Detention
Teen Pregnancy
Drug Use Prevention
Preventing Youth Tobacco Use