Jan 20, 2012

Dear DJJ Employees:

Welcome to my weekly letter. Please allow me to share the following news and announcements:

NEW TEAM MEMBERS AND PROMOTIONS: Welcome and congratulations to the following new and recently promoted members of the DJJ team.

New Employees

(Name/Title/County of Assignment)

Jamel Baker, Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO), Leon County

Jason Belser, Juvenile Justice Detention Officer (JJDO), Palm Beach County

Kristen Blatch, JPO, Broward County

Basil Fox, Maintenance Superintendent, Dade County

Trina Holliday, JPO, Broward County

Melva Knight, JJDO, Okaloosa County

Shanel Manning, JPO, Broward County

Usheika Martin, Juvenile Justice Residential Officer (JJRO), Hillsborough County

Margaret Mora, JJDO, Okaloosa County

Elisabette Napoleon, JJDO, Palm Beach County

Joann Skernick, Food Support Worker, Pasco County

Renee Slone, JJDO, Volusia County

Shernelle Smith, JJDO, Leon County

Aquese Thomas, Food Support Worker, Dade County

Amy Tucker, JJDO, Okaloosa County

Promoted Employees

(Name/New Position/County of Assignment)

Joann Casseus, JJDO II, Orange County

Patricia Johnston, Senior JPO, Pasco County

Robert Levine, JJDO II, Manatee County

Carolyn Luther, JJDO II, Manatee County

Jean Mondesir, JJDO II, Orange County

Twanna Reese, JJDO II, Leon County

Shawn Rhames, JJDO II, Orange County

Diandra Rivers, JJDO II, Palm Beach County

Charlotte Troche, JJRO, Hillsborough County

EM UP AND RUNNING: I’m pleased to announce the launch of DJJ’s electronic monitoring (EM) program this week. EM is a community-based alternative to secure detention and is also a progressive alternative for youth in violation of their court-ordered sanctions but who don’t otherwise meet the criteria for commitment to a DJJ residential facility.

POLL SUPPORTS REFORMS: On Thursday, Florida TaxWatch released extensive poll results showing that a majority of Floridians support the kind of juvenile justice reforms we are implementing throughout the state. For example, 83 percent of Floridians surveyed agree that offenders under the age of 18 who commit non-violent crimes should be handled by the juvenile justice system and not the adult justice system. Click here [ Adobe PDF Document ] to learn more about this interesting and illuminating report.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS: Circuit 17 Assistant Chief Probation Officer Cassandra Evans was invited to participate in a Human Trafficking Prevention Roundtable with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz on Jan. 6 at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Ms. Evans is a member of the Broward Human Trafficking Coalition (BHTC) Executive Board and serves as a co-chair of the Minor Human Sex Trafficking Subcommittee. She is credited with naming the subcommittee STARS (Stop Trafficking and Rescue the Survivors). President Obama declared January National Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Month and Congresswoman Wasserman Shultz hosted a roundtable of the various local partners to ensure that victims and victim’s advocates get the best possible community and federal support. For additional information on BHRC, please visit http://www.bhtc.us.

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY: Leon County Project Payback Restitution Program is a cooperative partnership between Henry and Rilla White Youth Foundation, DJJ Circuit 2 Probation staff and McKenzie Markets/Go Clean Carwash. Dan and Martha McKenzie (McKenzie Markets) give back to the community by donating $1.00 from every $12.00 carwash purchased between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. These donations provide the only source of funding for Project Payback, the proceeds of which are used to compensate victims of juvenile crime. Projects have included serving lunch at the Hope Community Center every week, providing clean up during several marches and rallies and at local churches, participation in several back to school outreach activities, and working in the Florida State University “Chuck it for Charity” drive. In addition, the JPO academy class supported the project as a way to reach out to the community during their time at the academy. The youth who participate in Project Payback are “reimbursed” at minimum wage, but the money goes directly into the Project Payback account and is subsequently paid to victims of the particular youth performing the work. In the eleven months since Project Payback’s inception, more than $19,000 has been raised through the Go Clean carwash; $8,000 of which has been paid to victims of juvenile crime. This partnership would not be possible without the support of community minded individuals Dan and Martha McKenzie.

PROBATION KUDOS: I recently received this report from our Probation staff in Circuit 20:

On Thanksgiving morning last year, just prior to starting her shift, Senior Juvenile Probation Officer Allison Duran came to the aid of a 65-year-old woman who was being beaten in the face by a 30-year old woman who was allegedly under the influence of illegal drugs. According to information obtained from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and newspaper report, the 65-year old woman purchased a muffin and newspaper at a local convenience store and then exited the building. The attacker then approached the victim in an aggressive manner and started hitting the victim in the face. She then proceeded to forcefully grab the items purchased by the victim. Ms. Duran went to help the victim as soon as she witnessed the attacker punching the senior citizen.

After identifying herself as a State Probation Officer, she attempted to verbally control the attacker. After shielding the victim from further injury, Officer Duran then went to her vehicle and attempted to call the Sheriff’s Office. The attacker then jumped into the passenger seat of Officer Duran’s vehicle. The attacker then exited the vehicle, bent Officer Duran’s license plate in an effort to obscure it, pushed her backwards, and jumped into the driver’s seat. She then drove off with the door open, hitting Officer Duran in the leg. A police chase ensued and Officer Duran’s vehicle was recovered and the attacker arrested.

Officer Duran was treated at the hospital for her injuries and returned to work a few days later. The 65-year old victim sustained multiple injuries to her face that caused bleeding. Without the heroic actions of Officer Duran, the victim’s injuries may have been much worse and the matter may have had an even more tragic ending.

Officer Duran, on behalf of all of us at DJJ and the public we serve, thank you for your selfless, heroic actions. I am so proud that you work at DJJ, and am gratified that you were able to return to work without more serious injuries from this dangerous encounter.

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.