MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Farris, Gollott, Furniss, Burton, Browning, Smith, Carlton, Mettetal, Frazier, Huggins, Harden, Jackson, Rayborn

Senate Concurrent Resolution 537

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO ENCOURAGE THE CREATION AND CONTINUED EXISTENCE IN EVERY MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY OF INTERVENTION PROGRAMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

WHEREAS, youthful misbehavior cannot be viewed in isolation because it is often the manifestation of other problems such as abuse and neglect, teen pregnancy, poverty and illiteracy; and

WHEREAS, among all 1996 Youth Court dispositions, over 55% of the youths involved came from a one-parent home; 51.3% lived with only their mother; and

WHEREAS, 85% of Youth Court referrals in 1996 were enrolled in school; 15% were not enrolled; and

WHEREAS, among all 1996 Youth Court referrals, 36% were found to perform below their expected educational grade levels; and

WHEREAS, out of 11,000 dropouts, approximately 32% are likely candidates for sentencing to Oakley and Columbia training schools through the Youth Court system; and

WHEREAS, 30% of families with children in Mississippi are headed by single parents; and

WHEREAS, a multitude of societal stressors such as divorce, crime, peer pressure, poverty, substance abuse and gang influences, make academic achievement difficult for many Mississippi children; and

WHEREAS, lack of prevention and early intervention can lead to unemployment, a need for public assistance, treatment or institutionalization for mental health reasons, involvement with the judicial system, and other problems; and

WHEREAS, research and experience has confirmed, time and again, that the most successful programs for intervention, prevention and rehabilitation are consistently community-based programs with broad-based community support:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby encourage, in every way possible, the creation and continued existence in every Mississippi community of intervention programs such as Boys' and Girls' clubs, Big Brother/Sister programs, and the like.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be given to the Capitol Press Corps.