Aug. 13, 2010

This is Governor Mike Beebe.

Recently, representatives from the National Center for Youth Law visited Little Rock to recognize Arkansas’s advances in improving our juvenile justice system.  Over the past four years, we have progressed from being a system considered below average to one praised as a model for other states to follow.

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our system required a change in mindset at the Arkansas Youth Services Division.  The officials there adopted a more creative approach to finding appropriate consequences for young offenders and new ways to foster their rehabilitation.  Responding to the needs of troubled and at-risk adolescents must begin in the communities where these young people live.  Treating teens in residential facilities removes them from negative environments, but can often fail to build the self-discipline and self-confidence they need to succeed when they return home to risky and tempting environments.  

To reduce crime, we have to create safe environments that encourage our youth to make better choices.  When they make bad decisions, it’s critical that the punishment fits the crime.  Youths who have committed crimes that endanger others should be locked up, but non-violent adolescent offenders often benefit from community-based treatment delivered closer to home.   In the past, the Division of Youth Services has relied heavily on the Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center in Alexander.  But recently, the division has been able to reduce institutional spending at the center and route more funding to rehabilitation efforts.

Earlier this month, I met children at a Boys and Girls Club in Little Rock who told me that if they didn’t have access to that facility’s programs, they’d probably be “up to no good.”  Kids need good options close to home, and it’s up to communities across the State to ensure that we are providing constructive opportunities and strong role models for all of Arkansas’s children.

To help communities respond to this challenge, the State has launched a program called the Truth of Youth.  Funded by a grant from the Public Welfare Foundation, this program provides community-based outreach toolkits, designed to help educate community members about children’s needs and provide ideas for effective local programs.  Strong after-school and summer programs keep kids busy in supervised, structured environments, supplement in-school education, and foster a sense of belonging.  Ultimately, this can help stop crime before it starts.

Investing in alternative treatment programs has strengthened the juvenile justice system in our State.  In one year, the number of youths sentenced to state facilities dropped from 636 to 531, and the Division of Youth Services reports that our increased commitment to community treatment programs has reduced recidivism rates.  I am proud of the progress Arkansas is making, but there is more work ahead.  Continued improvement requires the help of people all over the State, making the conscious decision to become more involved in the lives of the young people around them. That’s something all of us can do.

 
August 6, 2010

Arkansas's State Parks system showcases our greatest natural treasures. Our 52 public parks and museums encompass more than 54,000 acres of lakes, rivers, mountains, and valleys. They include camp sites, hiking and walking trails, swimming and boating areas, archaeological and historic sites, and the chance to experience Arkansas crafts and folklore. We are called the Natural State for a very good reason.

I have asked the Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission, which oversees our parks, to stop a proposed 10% fee increase at state parks that will come up for a vote later this month. Especially during this time, when we are experiencing a slowly-recovering economy, I believe that raising camping and lodging rates might deter both out-of-state visitors and Arkansans from seeking recreation and rest at our parks.

The oil-spill disaster that has disrupted some vacation plans to visit the Gulf of Mexico's beaches has caused many to stay closer to home and enjoy Arkansas's own opportunities for escape. In some cases, it has brought new visitors to our parks from other states. I hope that these new visitors will turn one summer's vacation in Arkansas this year into a regular routine for years to come. Furthermore, during a time of economic recovery, a visit to an Arkansas park is an ideal option for many people to fit in a vacation without spending a lot of money or traveling long distances.

Approximately eight million people visit our parks every year. As a major tourist attraction, the parks create a ripple effect throughout the state's economy. Last year, visitors to our parks impacted the economy by $225 million. I know of many Arkansans and tourists from other states who return to their favorite parks year after year, enjoying family traditions and the many wonderful outdoor and educational activities our parks have to offer.

In addition to preserving Arkansas's natural beauty and ensuring its accessibility to our citizens, one of the greatest gifts our parks provide is their educational value. Park programs such as wildlife and bird watching, guided walks, and living-history programs help children connect with nature at a young age. As students grow older, they become better stewards of the environment, helping to protect our land for generations to come. Children who live in Arkansas's larger metropolitan areas have many wonderful resources available to them, but often, the closest state park is the best educational tool beyond the school walls.

Our parks offer the best of Arkansas. They are the heart of our State, and we are famous for their diversity of activities, wildlife, and habitats. Parks are a real-world, outdoor classroom for our children, and they are a major economic driver of our economy. There are times when fees must be adjusted to help renovate and preserve the parks, but now is not one of those times. Instead, let's work to help more of our people take advantage of the wonders to be found in our own backyards.