FAU PRESIDENT FRANK T. BROGAN APPOINTED TO CHAIR COLLABORATIVE BLUEPRINT COMMISSION ON JUVENILE JUSTICE ISSUES

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist and Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Walter McNeil today announced the appointment of Florida Atlantic University president Frank T. Brogan as chairman of a collaborative Blueprint Commission on juvenile justice issues.

"Frank Brogan has a proven record of sound, visionary leadership through his service as Florida’s Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of Education," said Governor Crist. "His passion for fairness and accountability, his compassion for children and youth, and his expertise in state government and education will allow him to lead this Commission with distinction."

"President Brogan is a man of honor and an exemplary servant leader, and I am grateful for his willingness to lead this important initiative," said McNeil. "The breadth of knowledge and experience that he possesses will be extremely useful as the Commission works to improve the juvenile justice system in Florida."

Brogan, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, became the fifth president of Florida Atlantic University in March 2003. Previously, he served as Lieutenant Governor of Florida and the state’s Commissioner of Education, superintendent of schools in Martin County, and as a principal, assistant principal and teacher in the Martin County school district.

"The Blueprint Commission is an awesome undertaking, and I am excited to take part in this endeavor," Brogan stated. "It is an honor to accept the chairmanship of this Blueprint Commission, and I welcome the opportunity to assist in building greater accountability in our juvenile justice system in the great state of Florida."

The Juvenile Justice Blueprint Commission will be a time-limited group of 25 private and public stakeholders appointed by Secretary McNeil to assist the Department of Juvenile Justice in developing recommendations for a comprehensive strategic plan to improve the lives of at-risk youth while ensuring public safety. The concept for the Commission grew out of a collaboration between the Department and several organizations supportive of juvenile justice reform, including the Children’s Campaign Inc., the Florida Juvenile Justice Association and the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services.

McNeil stated that the Department is in the process of requesting recommendations from various stakeholder groups for membership on the Commission. The Department intends to have all the members appointed by the end of June with a kickoff planned for sometime in July.

The Commission will conduct a "citizen listening tour" around the state to allow opportunities for the public and stakeholders in various communities to express ideas, comments, concerns and suggestions for improving Florida’s juvenile justice system. The Commission’s recommendations will be presented to Secretary McNeil, the Governor and Legislature for consideration during the 2008 legislative session.

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