Feb 24, 2012

Dear DJJ team members:

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

CONGRATULATIONS: The following students graduated today from basic officer training at the Florida Public Safety Institute in Tallahassee. They received a certificate for completing 120 hours of training to become either a juvenile justice detention officer or a juvenile justice residential officer.

Charlie Brown (Pensacola Boys Base)
Faron Hicks (Escambia Detention)
Renee Slone (Volusia Detention)
Shernelle Smith (Leon Detention)
Jonathan Wiggins (Pensacola Boys Base)

These students completed Leadership Development Training today:

Douglas Allen (Pensacola Boys Base)
Christina Ash (Probation)
Carla Currie (Collier Detention)
Alrick Griffiths (SWF Detention)
Dennis Massey (Probation)
Charlene Miller (Probation)
Cathy Molleur (Collier Detention)
Frederick Womack (Probation)

WELCOME ABOARD: Megan Smith is DJJ’s new Statewide Transition Coordinator in the Office of Probation and Community Intervention. In this new position at DJJ, Megan develops partnerships with local and state agencies, community providers and probation staff to implement and support a seamless transition process for residential youth into the community. Successful youth reentry is a top priority for DJJ and a key goal for juvenile justice reform. Before her appointment on Jan. 23, Megan was a youth and family advocate with Capital City Youth Services in Tallahassee (a CINS/FINS provider). She received a master’s degree in social work from Barry University and undergraduate degree from Florida State University. Please welcome Megan to this important new position.

DETENTION SPOTLIGHT: Pasco Juvenile Detention Center students have been busily researching the history and contributions of African-Americans during Black History Month. From Medgar Evers and Fannie Lou Hamer to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the contributions of so many who led the struggle for civil rights have been February’s focus. On Feb. 22, the center was visited by abolitionist “Underground Railroad” leader Harriet Tubman, as portrayed by Rev. Cassie Coleman of Dade City. The students were spellbound as Coleman made Harriet Tubman come to life before them. She started her performance by entering the classroom singing a powerful rendition of the spiritual, “Oh, Freedom” and presented a compelling, first-person oratory that detailed Tubman’s struggles as she led hundreds of slaves to freedom. The students were mesmerized by her performance and applauded her repeatedly for opening their eyes to such a wonderful historical figure. Thanks to Superintendent Eddie Roberts for arranging this event.

PROBATION SPOTLIGHT: Darrell J. Cope has been a juvenile probation officer with DJJ for more than six years. Adopted as an infant along with his twin sister, he has always felt a strong calling to “give back” by helping children. Darrell served as a foster parent to 57 boys over the span of a decade, adopting three of them – one of whom is developmentally disabled. Darrell is now adopting his grandson, a toddler whom he has served as primary caregiver since the child was five months old. His son, the child’s father, had been abused by his father and stepfather before Darrell adopted him at age 12. Darrell says although his son is now an adult, he is still “finding his way,” as is the baby’s mother, and they want a stable home for their son. Darrell enjoys parenting a little one – a new experience since his sons were almost or already teens when they came to him. He says the greatest challenge over the years has not been any of the children, but overcoming the stereotypes that cast suspicion on single men who want to adopt a child. Yet, he says, “It was well worth it.” He encourages others to adopt. “There have got to be more single people who want kids and there are lots of kids in Florida who need a parent.”

RESIDENTIAL SPOTLIGHT: Robert L. Tucker is superintendent of the Les Peters Halfway House in Tampa, a DJJ residential facility for troubled boys ages 14-18. This year he led his facility’s participation with the University of South Florida’s (USF) annual Stampede of Service, which brings university students into the Tampa Bay community as volunteers to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Robert coordinated with the USF Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement to bring approximately 25 college students to the halfway house where they painted, helped with a highway clean up on MLK Boulevard, toured the facility and talked with resident youth. Robert says it encourages the boys to talk to the students, who are closer to their age. Often they have had common experiences and the boys can see a different life path is possible for them. He says, “We never give up on the kids. We give them everything we can to make them able to succeed.”

SAFETY FIRST: January worker compensation reports for DJJ posted this week show reductions in first reports of injury/illness in seven of 10 cause categories for the month. This is very good news for the health of our employees and the safety of our workplace. Slip, trip and fall injuries result in major pain, suffering and lost work time for staff. They were reduced to only two incidents in January.

Megan, Eddie, Darrell and Robert, thank you so much for your hard work and commitment. To all DJJ employees, thank you for all you do to serve our communities, our stakeholders and the youth in our care.

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.