Jul 13, 2012

Dear DJJ team members:

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

EDUCATION UPDATE: DJJ Education is working to infuse more vocational training and employment opportunitiesinto educational programs for DJJ youth to strengthen the success of their rehabilitation efforts and help them become more employable. To do this, Education Director Joan Wimmer and staff Ed Madden and Cindy Jones examined the Florida jobs that are projected to increase in demand through the year 2020. They are working with juvenile justice programs around the state to offer youth vocational training and certification programs to develop the projected high-demand skills to enter the workforce. There are many advantages to this strategic, forward-thinking approach. Teens benefit by redirecting their energy into positive efforts that give them a firm foundation to build a better life, citizens enjoy safer communities when youth break the delinquency cycle and enter the workforce, and communities profit from having young workers trained and certified in skills that meet Florida’s growing needs.

SPOTLIGHT ON FJJF: The Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation (FJJF) is the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, direct-support organization for DJJ. FJJF provides assistance to former DJJ youth to enhance their education and employability. Heather DiGiacomo was appointed executive director of the FJJF more than a year ago. She has ten years of experience in association management including positions in finance, administration, membership and marketing, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida State University. Heather recently shared information about the FJJF.

Q. Tell us about the work the FJJF does.

A. We know that youth who are in school and/or working have greater success in breaking the delinquency cycle. Therefore, FJJF focuses on helping youth further their education and/or employability skills. Often, our children have financial obstacles to achieving educational and career goals that may seem small to others, but prevent them from moving forward. A little help can make a big difference to them.

The FJJF’s Youth Investment Award (YIA) is a helping hand that can free a child from the limits that lead to delinquency. The YIA program provides funding for youth who have specific needs that cannot be met by other agencies or funding sources. Recently, awards have focused on two low-cost items that have a huge impact on youth’s lives: state identification (ID) cards and General Educational Development (GED) testing. State ID is required for employment and an ID card costs $25. This can be a huge obstacle for youth. We pay the fee and often assist them with obtaining the necessary paperwork if they don’t have it. The GED test and preparatory courses usually cost $50-$70. For youth who don’t have a high school diploma, a GED is required to enter college or vocational school; it’s essential for future success.

The YIA program allows awards to be used in many other ways. It helped kids in Residential programs take online college courses; it has helped three groups of youth – between 20-25 kids altogether – to take the prerequisite class to get a learner’s driving permit; we buy bus passes for youth to get to work or school; and we have purchased tools required for youth attending technical schools. We are helping a 14-year old deaf child enter a school for the hearing-impaired, where he is learning sign language for the first time. Each child has special circumstances. Award amounts are based on a child’s specific, verifiable need and limited to a maximum of $1,500. The purpose is to get our youth educated and employed so they can feel the success of achievement and develop their own goals.

Q. What are your goals for the FJJF?

A. I support Secretary Walters’ goal to reach children with the help they need to stop them from getting involved in the “deep end” of the juvenile justice system. The majority of our award recipients are 17 years old, or older. I am interested in helping more 14-to 16-year-olds and I would welcome suggestions on how we can assist in intervention with these youth, and with Prevention.

Q. What is the biggest challenge to FJJF?

A. The most difficult aspect is raising money. People often prefer to give within their community. FJJF helps youth all over Florida. YIA applications for are accepted continuously and we have a waiting list of more than 100 youth.

Q. What can employees do to help?

A. Get the word out about the FJJF! Let others know the great work the FJJF does to help youth get back on track. Encourage friends, family, acquaintances and businesses to donate. It’s easy and online (www.djjfoundation.org). With help, we can give all DJJ youth the assistance they need and deserve.

PROBATION KUDOS: Circuit 12 Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) Michelle Demary recently received a thank-you card with a handwritten note from the parent of a DJJ youth. The text is below:

Dear Ms. Michelle,

Where do I begin? What you did for my son and myself is a priceless gift. Taking time out of your life to help us with ours is beautiful…You are beautiful inside and out! Considering what we have been through, we are truly blessed by the real people, like you and Heather at Teen Court, who make a positive difference in people’s lives…I want you to know you are caring, fantastic and uniquely special…

Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

(Name redacted for confidentiality)

P.S. Have a wonderful life, you deserve it.

DJJ EMPLOYEES VOLUNTEER: Recently, Bryan Harrison, a senior JPO in Sumter County, and Becky Linn, prevention specialist for Circuits 5, 7 and 8, spent their summer vacation volunteering at a church-based youth camp in the Bahamas. Bryan and Becky were part of a group of 30 volunteers from Florida helping with the camp this summer. They were responsible for a group of 39 children, ages 6-10, who stayed at the overnight camp for a week. Becky and Bryan enjoyed their working vacation. Bryan commented, “We had no air conditioning but lots of beautiful scenery, a cooling ocean breeze, and many wonderful children.” DJJ is fortunate to have caring individuals like Becky and Bryan, whose service to children is an integral part of their lives, working to help our at-risk and troubled youth.

CONDOLENCES: We are saddened by the loss of twojuvenile detention officers (JDOs). Please join me in offering sympathy to their families, friends, co-workers and the youth they served.

Gary McCord, a JDO at the Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center (RJDC) passed away of natural causes on June 13. He worked at Duval RJDC for 14 years. Superintendent Stepheny Durham said, “He was very kind, polite, dependable and considerate of his co-workers. We all miss him.”

Henry Lee Gibson, Jr., passed away on July 5, succumbing to a terminal illness. Henry was a JDO at the Broward RJDC for 30 years. Superintendent Daryl Wolf said of Henry, “He was simply the best. He wore his uniform in an immaculate fashion, was never late and rarely missed a day of work. His level of integrity and professionalism was unmatched. He was an officer to emulate in word and deed. Officer Gibson will be missed...”

Thank you to all employees for your continuing dedication and service to 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.