Youth at Risk in Latin America provides evidence-based guidance to policymakers that will help increase the effectiveness of their youth investment program. Drawing on the authors' detailed analyses, the book describes twenty-three policies and programs that youth development experts agree are the basis of a quality youth development portfolio, from early childhood development programs to parent training to cash transfers for positive behaviors. It also lays out strategies for implementing this effective youth portfolio in a budget-constrained environment by reallocation of resources away from.

This book is our sixth Small Wars Journal—El Centro anthology, covering writings published between 2016 and 2017. The theme of this anthology pertains to the rise of the narcostate (mafia states) as a result of the collusion between criminal organizations and political elites—essentially authoritarian regime members, corrupted plutocrats, and other powerful societal elements. The cover image of the mass demonstration concerning the disappearance of the forty-three Ayotzinapa Teachers’ College students held at Mexico City’s Zócalo Plaza in November 2014 provides an archetype of this anthology’s theme. This anthology includes the following special essays—Preface: “New Wars” and State Transformation by Robert Muggah, Igarapé Institute; Foreword: Crime and State-Making by Vanda Felbab-Brown, The Brookings Institution; Postscript: Crime, Drugs, Terror, and Money: Time for Hybrids by Alain Bauer, CNAM Paris; and Afterword: The Rise of the Oligarchs by Col. Robert Killebrew, US Army (Ret.). Dave Dilegge (SWJ, Editor-in-Chief)

Pulling together the most salient, current issues in the field today, The Handbook of Gangs provides a significant assessment by leading scholars of key topics related to gangs, gang members, and responses to gangs. • Chapters cover a wide array of the most prominent issues in the field of gangs, written by scholars who have been leaders in developing new ways of thinking about the topics • Delivers cutting-edge reviews of the current state of research and practice and addresses where the field has been, where it is today and where it should go in the future • Includes extensive coverage of the individual theories of delinquency and provides special emphasis on policy and prevention program implications in the study of gangs • Offers a broad understanding of how other countries deal with gangs and their response to gangs, including Great Britain, Latin America, Australia and Europe • Chapters covering the legacies of four pioneers in gang research—Malcolm W. Klein, Walter B. Miller, James F. Short Jr., and Irving A. Spergel

This volume provides a systematic overview of the contemporary Latin American youth violence phenomenon. The authors focus specifically on youth gangs, juvenile justice issues, and applied research concerns, providing a rounded and balanced exploration of this increasingly important topic.

Why has violence spiked in Latin America's contemporary democracies? What explains its temporal and spatial variation? Analyzing the region's uneven homicide levels, this book maps out a theoretical agenda focusing on three intersecting factors: the changing geography of transnational illicit political economies; the varied capacity and complicity of state institutions tasked with providing law and order; and organizational competition to control illicit territorial enclaves. These three factors inform the emergence of 'homicidal ecologies' (subnational regions most susceptible to violence) in Latin America. After focusing on the contemporary causes of homicidal violence, the book analyzes the comparative historical origins of weak and complicit public security forces and the rare moments in which successful institutional reform takes place. Regional trends in Latin America are evaluated, followed by original case studies of Central America, which claims among the highest homicide rates in the world.

The ubiquity of the internet and social media has influenced the lives of people across the globe, including young people involved in street gangs and troublesome youth groups. This development raises important questions about the causes, features, and consequences of online gang behavior, as well as the consequences of this new phenomenon for gang prevention and intervention. In this edited volume, members of an international network of gang researchers, the Eurogang Program of Research, present findings and insights from recent academic gang studies focused on the use of internet and social media. It focuses on online features of gangs and the consequences of social media for the study of these groups. The second section of the book focuses on the meaning of online media for the prevention, monitoring and intervention of gangs, and for gang disengagement processes. This is the first volume focused on the role of internet and social media in the study of gangs. Providing much needed insights into online gang processes, it will appeal to students and researchers interested in gangs and juvenile delinquency, and to professionals, practitioners, and policy-makers working on preventing or reducing gang involvement and delinquent behavior.

Pre-Service Teacher Biographies: Leah Mandujano. She lives with her husband, Fabian, and her son, Benaiah in Houston, TX. She loves the beach and walking her rescue dog. She is studying at the University of Houston-Downtown to become an elementary teacher. ??? CHARLOTTE ELLIS, 2nd year Graduate Student@ UHD Is a second year Masters of Education student at the University of Houston-Downtown. She earned an undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-Downtown and wishes to pursue a teaching position in ESL after graduation or teach abroad in an elementary or middle school setting. She has volunteered extensively in elementary schools for both the public and private school sector and is certified to teach Vacation Bible School, which she does in the summer at St. Thomas Episcopal Church School in Houston, Texas. She has also volunteered as an ESL tutor at the Harris County Public Library where she trained and received their certification qualifications. She has also spent time volunteering service hours at the Consulate General of Spain in Downtown Houston and occasionally teaches Sunday school at her local church. Charlotte is continuing her studies as a graduate student here at UHD and was recently recognized as a distinguish writer for her contributions and collaborative work that has been published in The Texas Forum of Teacher Education-The Journal of the Texas Association of Teacher Educators. (Volume 2, October 2012) ??? My name is Erica Bostic. I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Houston Downtown majoring in education. Becoming a teacher has been my dream since I was a little girl. I love children, but most importantly I love being able to play a major role in a childs educational path. My family means the world to me because they have supported me and my decision to become a teacher. I have three sons whom I love dearly, and they are my motivation in everything I do. ??? Cynthia L. is a pre-service teacher in the Department of Urban Education at the University of Houston-Downtown. Cynthia is the editor and assisted Ashley E. in the writing of the short story within this book. Cynthia was presently surprised with the level literary talent of the group of teenage girls housed at the detention facility. Cynthia, a future Early Childhood through 6th Grade bilingual teacher, plans to replicate this project with her future students. Cynthia is of age 24, her favorite color is yellow, and she owns two Chihuahua mixed dogs named Charlie and Chelsea. ??? Selina Salcido, age 26, is currently enrolled at University of Houston-Downtown and is majoring in Early Childhood Education to become a Kindergarten teacher. Selina Salcido, is the editor and assisted Ashley E in the writing of the short story within this book. She loves animals, especially her dog Bella. She loves spending time with her family and fianc-to-be; they mean the world to her. Also In her spare time she loves baking desserts.