On Monday, September 19, 2005 Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California will hold a teleconference to present the findings from a new statewide poll that shows California's law enforcement leaders strongly support public investments in juvenile mental health services as a vital crime prevention measure. The group will also discuss the proven public safety benefits of model programs recommended in its new toolkit, From Promise to Practice: Mental Health Models that Work for Children and Youth.

Law enforcement leaders, mental health policy experts and a teen program participant will make the case for dedicating Prop 63 funds to well-researched family- and community-based treatments and interventions with a proven impact on juvenile crime.

WHAT:

A teleconference where California law enforcement leaders urge that new Proposition 63 funds be used to fight juvenile crime and release results from a statewide law enforcement leadership poll and toolkit highlighting model programs.

WHO:

San Benito County Sheriff Curtis J. Hill
Pasadena Police Chief Bernard K. Melekian
Darrell Steinberg; Co-Author Proposition 63 and Member of the Mental Health
     Services Oversight and Accountability Commission
Rusty Selix; Co-Author Proposition 63 and Executive Director, California Council of
     Community Mental Health Agencies, and Health Association in California
Emancipating Foster Youth from the First Place Fund for Youth, an Oakland-based
     not-for-profit providing a broad range of services for teens transitioning from foster
     care to independent living and
Barrie Becker, State Director, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California.

WHEN:

Monday, September 19, 2005, 1:00PM PST

WHERE:

Dial-in number (800) 351-4872, Password FCIK

To preview embargoed release and poll results, please contact Erica Terry Derryck (510) 836- 2050 x305 or ederryck@calfightcrime.org.

To download the toolkit click here.