Jan 06, 2012

Dear DJJ Employees:

Happy New Year! I truly hope that you and your loved ones enjoyed the holidays and that you had a chance to relax and perhaps make some resolutions for 2012. The year is already off to a good start at DJJ.

CHILDREN’S WEEK 2012: DJJ will once again be participating in Children’s Week, scheduled this year for Jan. 29 through Feb. 4. Children’s Week includes events and activities statewide promoting children and family issues as well as bringing together parents, children, policy makers, community leaders and concerned citizens to share valuable knowledge and information. DJJ looks forward to working with our partners to showcase the many successful youth and programs working every day to change the lives of at-risk youth and families. Tuesday, Jan. 31 has been designated as Youth Success Day. I encourage each of you to celebrate the successes of our youth, our staff and our programs that make lasting impacts on Florida’s families. For more information about Children’s Week, click here. For questions about DJJ’s role in Children’s Week, contact Heather DiGiacomo at heather.digiacomo@djj.state.fl.us or at 850.487.1886.

DETENTION STAFF MOVE: Please join me in congratulating Wanda Harper on her appointment Dec. 23 as Chief of Policy Development and Planning in Detention Services. She was appointed to fill the vacancy created when Mike Dunn retired last fall after 35 years of dedicated service. Wanda has more than 30 years of experience in Detention Services and brings extensive knowledge of detention operations, as well as legislative and administrative expertise, to this role. I’m confident Wanda will shine in her new position.

PROBATION KUDOS: I recently received heartwarming letters from parents praising two of our juvenile probation officers (JPO) for exemplary service. The letters are excerpted below (names of parents and youths have been withheld for privacy and confidentiality reasons):

This letter is from parents to Circuit 7 JPO Supervisor Alan Guthrie regarding JPO Christopher Massey.

Dear Mr. Guthrie:

We wanted to write you a brief letter commending a Juvenile Probation Officer that you supervise, Christopher Massey.

In spite of the hurtful, spiteful people we have been forced to deal with, there is one, lone person standing above the fray, Christopher Massey. Unlike so many other people, Mr. Massey has taken the time to get to know not only our child, but our family; he has always maintained the utmost professionalism while in our home. Most importantly, Mr. Massey has never made us feel judged or not worth his time, As a matter of fact, when our child was first assigned to him, he took the time to read about [the health problem the child was diagnosed with] in order to understand our child and how he thinks. We are so thankful that Christopher Massey was assigned to our sweet child; he is indeed a credit to his profession and deserves recognition for his wonderful attitude, non-judgmental demeanor and for believing in our child.

This letter is from a parent to Circuit 18 JPO Harold Dixon.

Hi Mr. Dixon,

I got the paperwork to the appropriate person last evening and my son had already gotten his TB test. Wow...My heart is broken. It is really difficult to see him there. I had a nice visit and feel that he may finally be "willing" at this point. He said he had missed the bus one morning and was afraid that he was just going to get arrested anyway so he just continued to skip. I explained that we are all FOR him (including you) and want him to succeed and pass in school and get off of probation and have a happy life. I reminded him of the time you had spent coming to the house in an effort to communicate... then to be treated with disrespect.

I know that God is in control. This is very difficult for me. Perhaps it was necessary to show him how serious his choices are. This was the first time he seemed to take responsibility for his actions. Anyway, I wanted to personally thank you for all of your hard work. You will never know how much I appreciate you. I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Mr. Dixon! Wishing you Health, Happiness, Peace & Prosperity!

I can’t pay better tribute to these fine DJJ professionals than what these parents have written. Christopher Massey and Harold Dixon represent the best attributes of so many of our dedicated employees. As I’ve mentioned before, a little care and compassion for the young people we supervise go a long way.

Thank you for all of your hard work in 2011 and I look forward to serving with you as we meet the many exciting challenges ahead in 2012.

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.