Overview

The Office of Education collaborates with the Florida Department of Education and local district school boards to ensure implementation and compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations of programs for youth served in DJJ settings. The Office of Education is committed to ensure youth served by the Department are afforded the opportunity to obtain a high quality education.

The Department of Education (DOE) serves as the lead agency for juvenile justice education programs, curriculum, support services, and resources. To this end, DOE and DJJ each designate a Coordinator for Juvenile Justice Education Programs to serve as the point of contact for resolving issues not addressed by district school boards and to provide each department’s participation in the following activities:

• Training, collaborating, and coordinating with the Department of Juvenile Justice, district school boards, educational contract providers, and juvenile justice providers, whether state operated or contracted.
• Collecting information on the academic performance of students in juvenile justice programs and reporting on the results.
• Developing academic and career protocols that provide guidance to district school boards and providers in all aspects of education programming, including records transfer and transition.

Education Transition Representatives in each school district can assist with transferring educational records, provide guidance through the transition process, and provide information to other districts on local school options.

Teacher of the Year:

Our DJJ Teacher of the Year was announced and recognized on January 28, 2021 at the Restoring Hope Awards ceremony.   We were pleased to have Jesus Gonzalez selected as our 2020 Teacher of the Year. 

Jesus Gonzalez

Mr. Gonzalez is a lifelong educator and is currently a Language Arts teacher at the Miami Youth Academy.   Over the years, he has realized that he needs to create a multifaceted environment so that all students can learn.   We thank Mr. Gonzalez for his dedication and the motivation, inspiration, and mentorship he provides daily to the youth at the Miami Youth Academy.                                                                  

Scholarships & Financial Aid

• Youth Investment Award is available through the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation and can help youth served by DJJ pay for tuition, school supplies, transportation, and other things needed to help achieve academic and career goals.
• Step Up For Students www.StepUpForStudents.org Not all students learn the same way. Step Up For Students exits to give those Florida school children who need it the most, the learning options that work best for them.
• Use http://www.edsmart.org/students-with-disabilities-college-guide/#Scholarships to search for scholarships for students with disabilities.
• Federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is the largest source of aid in America, providing funds for grants, work-study, and federal loans for students attending four-year colleges or universities, community colleges, and career schools. Learn more on the types of aid available, how to apply, and more through FAFSA, Student Aid, and the U.S. DOE website.
• Use https://www.edsmart.org/best-scholarship-websites/ to search for available scholarships.
• Use https://weirdscholarships.net/ to search for unique scholarship opportunities.
• College Affordability Guide http://www.collegeaffordabilityguide.org/
• Online Education Guide https://www.collegedegreesonline.com/programs
• Youth Investment Application
• TCC New Start Scholarship Application
• Use Everything You Need to Know About Winning Scholarships to understand scholarships and types of scholarships available.