Your initial discussion thread is due on Day 3 (Thursday) and you have until Day 7 (Monday) to respond to your classmates. Your grade will reflect both the quality of your initial post and the depth of your responses. Refer to the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric under the Settings icon above for guidance on how your discussion will be evaluated.

Special Populations: A Challenge to Juvenile Justice

Chapter 9 of the text addresses special populations of juveniles that pose significant problems to the juvenile justices system. Assume you were writing a proposal to a city or state administrator to address one of the special populations identified in our text (e.g., early starters, juvenile gangs, or juvenile sex offenders) and explain why juveniles in the this category must be treated outside the normal juvenile delinquency programs. What are the benefits to this program in addressing the special population? What is the measure of effectiveness for these programs? Why will this program be effective countering the problem addressed?

Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references. Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 7 and continue to support your arguments with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources.

Considering the goals of juvenile justice system and our desire to return juveniles to the community as productive members of society, support an alternative approach to the one held by your classmates. Assume you were writing a proposal to a city or state administrator competing with the proposal of your classmate. Highlight the benefits of your alternative program to address this challenging special population. Keep in mind that, due to limited funds, only one program will be selected for implementation.