Jan 27, 2012

Dear DJJ Employees:

Welcome to my weekly letter. Please allow me to share some news and developments from this week.

GEORGETOWN IN TOWN: Shay Bilchik and Marion Kelly with the Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice Reform met with Gov. Rick Scott, members of the Legislature and DJJ senior staff yesterday (Thursday) in Tallahassee. Shay and Marion were in town to promote the Juvenile Justice System Improvement Project, designed to ensure youth are receiving the most appropriate services. DJJ is a partner with Georgetown on this project. Shay is a nationally recognized leader on juvenile justice reform and we were grateful he and Marion shared a whole day with us to discuss ways Florida is leading the way on juvenile justice reform. For more on the Georgetown Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, click here.

TRAINING KUDOS: Our efforts to improve the quality and consistency of our staff training are paying off in many ways, but the feedback from employees who actually benefit from our renewed emphasis are especially gratifying. Let me share some recent testimonials sent to the Staff Development and Training team:

Mr. Pace,

As we discussed earlier today, I wanted to convey my appreciation and admiration for one of your staff, Ms. Hagans. She is the most dynamic and motivated instructor I have met. She takes what might otherwise be a dull course in book learning and makes it pertinent and real with the vibrancy of her personality. She communicates in a clear and colorful manner that draws the audience into the lessons. She was knowledgeable enough in her subjects to integrate random conversations and topics with what was being discussed without interrupting the flow.

She related to the class a little of how she came to be an instructor and the person who noticed her should be credited for having their mind open to the possibility of Ms. Hagans being a talented instructor.

Ms. Hagans is a true asset to both the Academy and the Department.

Margaret Hayes

SJPO, Unit 205

Bartow, FL

Ms. Posthumus,

Mr. Pace has been teaching our Leadership Development class to the Senior Juvenile Probation Officers in Circuit 10. He has done a wonderful job of teaching the modules. He engages the group in thought-provoking discussions, having us put more effort in understanding the differences between staff, management, and administration and what it means to be a leader. But he not only teaches very well, he provides an excellent role model in how to be a supervisor and a leader. He stepped in to teach the class when one of his staff was unable and did so without displaying any resentment or other negative attitude that others may have done. He shows that he not only asks the best of his team, he lives up to the same standard. He doesn’t ask for anything he isn’t prepared to give himself. He has given a first-hand example of how to manage staff while living the vision he has for himself and his team.

If both Ms. Hagans and Mr. Pace are but small examples of how the Academy chooses their instructors and supervisors, I believe the Department has nowhere to go but up. I am fortunate to have had them come to our Circuit to teach this class.

With much gratitude,

Margaret Hayes

SJPO, Unit 205

Bartow, FL

Dear Ms. Posthumus & Ms. Wilson-Johnson,

On several occasions I have found it necessary to either e-mail or telephone Gayla regarding technical issues in CORE. Gayla has always given me 110% in trying to resolve my problem. She is a credit to your staff and deserves a well done.

Sincerely,

Thomas Duesler

Training Coordinator

Orange County JAC

Dear Ms. Becker-Powell,

Thank you so much for the Trauma training that you provided to our community. It was informative and developed greater awareness in meeting the needs of our clients.

Your emphasis on asking the right questions at the time of our engaging our clients struck home. At our monthly staff meeting we have begun identifying more pertinent questions pertaining to events in our client’s lives by defining the questions that will lead to better information gathering to assess their needs. Those questions can lead to identifying their strengths and resiliency as well as an opportunity to provide support. Our goal is always to develop their skills for future success.

Again, thank you for your willingness to come to our community and for providing us with excellent information.

Sincerely,

Sonia Santiago, LMHC

Clinical Director

The Sarasota Y - Youth and Family Services

ROLE MODEL SPEAKS: On Monday, Jan. 23, the boys at Pensacola Boys Base attended a luncheon and heard the inspirational message of Chris Gardner, whose life inspired the 2006 movie The Pursuit of Happyness (that’s how the movie title spelled “happiness”; actor Will Smith played Chris Gardner). This event was sponsored by and was the first in a series of John Maxwell Live events to be held nationwide. This was an awesome opportunity for the young men from Pensacola Boys Base and they took heartfelt encouragement from Mr. Gardner and his path to success.

FAST FACT: A recent analysis by DJJ’s Bureau of Research and Planning indicates a dramatic reduction in school-related delinquency in Miami-Dade County. During the first six months of Fiscal Year 2011-12, school-related delinquency referrals from Miami-Dade declined by 353 cases or 60 percent! While it’s difficult to speculate why referrals are down so significantly, one reason could be Miami-Dade’s strong emphasis on providing alternatives to arrest, such as civil citation. To everyone who contributed to this effort, please accept my profound gratitude. I wish to especially recognize Miami-Dade Schools Police Chief Charles Hurley and Morris Copeland, director of the Miami-Dade Juvenile Services Department, for their work to keep kids and communities safe.

CHILDREN’S WEEK: Next week we celebrate Children’s Week. Various events are planned in DJJ offices, circuits and communities throughout the state, and Youth Success Day is Tuesday, Jan 31 in Tallahassee. I will be joined by representatives from our provider community to announce DJJ’s Youth Ambassadors for 2012. For more information about Children’s Week, click here. For questions about DJJ’s activities during Children’s Week, contact Heather DiGiacomo at 850.487.1886 or at heather.digiacomo@djj.state.fl.us.

As always, 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.