When my editor, John Fleming, informed me that I would be writing a series about LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) young people in metro Atlanta and the issues they often face, honestly I did not know what to expect. At the least, I knew it would be interesting. Ultimately the very personal accounts shared…

[“The Other Side of the Rainbow: Young, Gay and Homeless in Metro Atlanta” is part 1 of a 3 part series on LGBT issues. Bookmark this page for updates.] In April 2008, Brian Dixon was 18-years-old and homeless. Being gay, he says, only exacerbated his predicament. After allegedly enduring years of mental and physical abuse,…

“Significant” injuries were reported after a fight Saturday in the Eastman Youth Development Center in Eastman, Ga. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident. Todd Lowery, assistant special agent in charge of GBI’s Eastman field office, told The Macon Telegraph, “There was some violence against some of the staff and some of the…

Lawmakers in 16 states have proposed a so-called Caylee’s Law to prosecute parents who do not report their child missing quickly enough. The proposals come as a response to public outrage over the acquittal of Casey Anthony in the death of her 2-year-old daughter. An online petition calling for the law has received well over…

The Eckerd Family Foundation offers grants that promote and provide better care for delinquent youth. This grant focuses on juvenile justice, foster care, education and youth development. The program promotes systematic change to ensure that kids are properly assessed and placed and receive effective treatments. This grant also helps to ensure kids are able to…

Despite wearing an ankle bracelet, a Henry County, Ga., teen allegedly went on a wild crime spree. The 16-year-old, now in police custody, is accused of two carjackings, the theft of a third car and armed robbery in the early morning hours of July 8. The boy was finally tracked down by the LoJack device…

An amended law that took effect July 1 made Mississippi the latest state to rethink how youth under the age of 18 are handled in criminal court. The new measure prevents most 17-year-old misdemeanor and nonviolent felony offenders from being tried as adults. Certain felonies including rape, murder and armed robbery may still warrant charges…

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs, the Office of Justice Programs and the Department of Justice offer the Second Chance Act Juvenile Offender Reentry Program for Planning and Demonstration Projects. This program tries to help kids who’ve been in jail to successfully reintegrate into society as a law-abiding citizen. Due to the increasing…

The House subcommittee that oversees Justice Department funding produced an appropriations bill this week that would slash activities authorized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in 2012. The draft bill, marked up by the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and State (CJS), would not fund demonstration grants, Juvenile Accountability Block Grants…

For Kids Only grants fund programs with faith based components. These programs must be focused on at-risk kids younger than 12. Programs awarded must have specific measurable spiritual and academic outcome. They must also serve as a model in their local community. Typical funding for the grant is between $1,000-$8,000. The deadline for this grant…