Apr 20, 2012

Dear DJJ Team Members:

Welcome to my weekly letter. Please allow me to share some recent news and announcements.

ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION: This week, John Mattingly with the Annie E. Casey Foundation met with DJJ staff to discuss his experiences as New York City’s commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services. John stepped down as commissioner in 2011 after leading the agency for seven years. He shared observations and advice on child welfare and juvenile justice management with senior leaders and employees. “What you do creates public value,” John told staffers Thursday at DJJ offices in Tallahassee. “Don’t ever forget that.” The Annie E. Casey Foundation has been a strong ally in DJJ’s reform efforts since last year. We are deeply grateful to John and the Foundation for supporting our progress in Florida.

DETENTION KUDOS: I recently received the following heartfelt letter from DJJ employee Priscilla Clements praising her co-worker, Melvin Foster. Melvin, a juvenile detention officer at Pasco Regional Juvenile Detention Center (RJDC), formerly served as superintendent of Hillsborough-East RJDC, which closed in 2011.

I would like to express my appreciation and praise to a former supervisor. As a Fiscal Assistant II at Hillsborough Detention Center East in the fiscal year 2010/2011, I observed our Superintendent, Mr. Melvin Foster, strive hard daily to make the HRJDC-East a better place for the youths who passed through our doors. I’ve witnessed great leadership in Mr. Foster through the way he treated all of his employees with fairness and respect. I also witnessed great humbleness in the way he pitched in to single-handedly clean the restrooms when needed, in order to promote cleanliness of our facility to the parents and visitors waiting in the lobby. He truly put his heart and soul into the youth and their families of East Hillsborough County.


But the real kudos goes to Mr. Foster for accepting a demotion with grace to shift commander at Pasco RJDC when our facility closed last year due to budget cuts. Throughout the days leading up to the closing I never heard a negative word spoken from this true gentleman. In my eyes, Mr. Foster exudes a true example of a public servant. DJJ is very fortunate to have this man in our agency. Thanks, Mr. Foster, for believing that true faith and goodness can make a difference in our society.

PROBATION KUDOS: Vernon Jackson has dedicated his life to serving others. He has worked for 24 years as a juvenile probation officer (JPO) in Palm Beach County and divides much of his personal time between his duties as a minister and volunteer activities with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Men of Tomorrow mentoring program. Assistant Chief Probation Officer Greg Starling says, “The program has been very successful in providing needed support including scholarships, guidance and positive role models for high school boys within our community.” Men of Tomorrow prepares participants for the future through activities such as community service, college visits and events with guest speakers. Events are held twice monthly throughout the school year. Since the program started in 1988, more than 500 young men have been mentored. Between 30 and 40 boys participate annually. Those who remain active participants throughout high school are targeted for a fraternity scholarship that can be used toward college or vocational training. Vernon says, “It pays off getting involved in the community and seeing youth fulfill their potential by being productive citizens and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”

MOVING ON: Rosemary Haynes, RN, director of Detention Nursing Services, has accepted a position as the health services administrator for the Wakulla County Sherriff’s Office. During her five years with DJJ, Rosemary has been a valuable team member and we owe her many thanks. Her expertise has helped improve agency health services policy. She was also instrumental in DJJ’s successful response to the H1N1 flu virus due to her close coordination with the Florida Department of Health to minimize the risk of exposure for DJJ youth and employees. Her last day here is April 26. We congratulate Rosemary and wish her much success.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: DJJ had only 25 first-reports of injury/illness in March 2012 – the lowest total in agency history! Even more impressive is the fact that accidents and injuries have been consistently trending drastically downward for the past six months. The most dramatic reduction in claims is in the detainee-related category, which indicates the commitment to hands-free protective action response and trauma-informed care strategies continues to make both staff and youth safer. Detention and Residential leadership and direct care staff deserve special commendation for their efforts, which are reflected in the decrease of youth-related incidents and worker compensation claims. Give yourselves a pat on the back for making DJJ a safer workplace!

REMINDER: If managers or other staff receive inquiries to verify current or previous employment, please refer them to Katrina Dickey in the Bureau of Personnel at 850.921.6595 or via email to Katrina.Dickey@DJJ.state.fl.us. Please refer inquiries regarding verification of salary for mortgages, loans, insurance companies, etc., to Vivian Chambliss at 850.921.6744 or via email to Vivian.Chambliss@djj.state.fl.us.


It is encouraging to see a spirit of collaboration and support within our workplace. As John Mattingly said, it provides real public value to the communities we serve. To all employees, as always, thank you for your service.

Sincerely,

Wansley Walters

Secretary

PS: Please send any noteworthy or newsworthy items for consideration in my weekly letter to Communications Director C. J. Drake at cj.drake@djj.state.fl.us or call 850.921.5905. Submissions are considered on a space-available basis and may be edited for clarity and length. Thank you for your cooperation.