Jun 22, 2012

Dear DJJ team members:

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

JDAI UPDATE: Last week, I was joined by a team of judges, state attorneys, public defenders, sheriff’s officers, and DJJ leaders on a visit of a model Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) site in Cook County, Illinois (Chicago). Valuable insight was gained into the model site’s success. The trip included field visits and presentations on initiatives that were critical to gaining information to help reform and restructure Florida’s juvenile justice system, and better serve youth in our care. Many thanks to the following officials and government professionals for their participation and insight, which strengthens juvenile justice efforts: Chief Judge Peter D. Blanc and Judge Donald W. Hafele, Palm Beach County; Judge David Gooding, Duval County; Robert Mason, Juvenile Chief, Office of the Public Defender in Duval County; Lynn Powell, Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office; Barbara White, Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office; Capt. Jeffrey Lindskoog, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office; and Lisa Hurley, Florida Association of Counties.

PROBATION CHIEFS MEETING: Chief Probation Officers (CPOs), regional directors and headquarters staff met June 19-21, at the Florida Public Safety Institute to discuss reform initiatives, specific circuit needs and planning. Topics included initiatives with Georgetown University, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, Trauma-Informed Care, juvenile delinquency data trends, and transition and re-entry services for youth. CPOs will share the information discussed with staff in the circuits.

SPOTLIGHT ON PROBATION: Michael McCaffrey was promoted to assistant secretary for Probation and Community Intervention approximately a year ago, after serving in various training and staff development positions. He has served as a public safety professional for more than 20 years and joined DJJ in 2001 after serving in probation officer roles at the Florida Department of Corrections. Michael received a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of South Florida and is also a Certified Public Manager (CPM). He discussed Probation’s changes and focus for reform during this week’s statewide meeting of juvenile justice chief probation officers at the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy, near Tallahassee.

Q. Tell me about Probation’s role in juvenile justice reform.

A. Probation services are strongly impacted by the shift to offer data- and research-based services targeted to youths’ individual needs. For example, historically, the thinking was that locking up youth led to public safety. However, research shows that locking youth away or transferring them to adult court is ineffective in correcting delinquent behavior. The changes we are making give youth the opportunity to improve their behavior and have successful lives.

Q. What are the changes Probation is making?

A. The day treatment model for probationary youth is now focused more on delinquency intervention than on education. Instead of offering intervention during school hours, we are focusing on delivering them after school, when delinquency tends to rise. Data shows delinquency increases between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., so that is when we will deliver intervention services, such as Aggression Replacement Therapy (ART), Thinking for a Change (T4C) and LifeSkills training. We will give the youth a constructive way to occupy their time. There is a saying about idle hands making mischief. I am extremely confident that keeping youth busy with intervention services during this key time will result in lower recidivism and fewer offenses while youth are on probation, which means better outcomes for kids and communities.

We are making internal changes, also. Most probation officers joined DJJ to help youth. We want to give officers the tools they need to work more effectively with youth and families in the community. We were able to purchase seven new vehicles for officers to visit and transport youth in the circuits. We are piloting the use of netbooks for probation officers to use in the field and in court so they can access information about youth when they need it and have more flexibility to enter their case notes. There is a pilot with the iPad in one courtroom, but we are finding that the netbooks are more compatible with our software and are sturdier.

Q. Any final thoughts?

A. A colleague recently observed that DJJ is at the leading edge of juvenile reform, and much of the controversy we are experiencing with contracted services is the result of reform colliding with the status quo. DJJ is making changes that are data-driven and research-based. I hope that explaining the reasons for the changes will dissolve the reluctance that some people may feel.

PROBATION KUDOS: CPO Margaret LaMarca is pleased to share a June 18 letter of appreciation regarding Juvenile Probation Officer David Berger:

It is with great enthusiasm I send this letter to you regarding the actions of Dave Berger. Mr. Berger was assigned to a case concerning my 16-year old grandson.

Mr. Berger went well beyond his duties. His knowledge, attention, courtesy, and his extreme helpfulness are appreciated. His action towards my grandson was very caring and he showed much concern.

You and your staff should be very proud of his work habits in dealing with teenagers and their relatives. Any organization should be glad to have him as he is an asset to any company.

Please extend my gratefulness and kind regards from me and my grandson for all his help and kindness.

Sincerely,

(Name redacted)

DETENTION CONGRATS: Please join me in congratulating two superintendents on their recent appointments:

Edwin Kelly has been appointed as superintendent at the Manatee Regional Juvenile Detention Center (RJDC) in Bradenton, where he has served as acting superintendent since April 13. Edwin joined DJJ in 1980 as a detention care worker at the Manatee RJDC and in 1987 was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent. Edwin has been a guiding, stabilizing force at the center, serving nine superintendents at the facility. He was instrumental in the successful implementation of the ARISE, STOP, Think and Act programs, as well as the Trauma-Informed Care Initiative. He has been a significant contributor in the planning, implementation, and oversight of the transition plan for the Polk, Highlands and Hardee County youth that are now housed at Manatee RJDC. Under his guidance the facility has been diligent in their efforts to reduce the number of physical protective action responses and confinements. Edwin has a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Social & Behavioral Sciences. Detention Assistant Secretary Julia Strange says, “Mr. Kelly is a well-respected, competent leader who fosters an environment conducive to meeting the diverse needs of children, by a dedicated professional workforce.”

Chuck Parkins has been appointed as superintendent at the Palm Beach RJDC. Chuck currently serves as superintendent at Alachua RJDC. Chuck joined DJJ in 1996 as a detention care worker at the Marion RJDC and within five years was promoted to superintendent at Alachua RJDC. Chuck has been instrumental in the development and implementation of a number of innovative approaches to meet the very diverse needs of youth requiring detention services in Alachua County. His ability to network with community stakeholders, serve as a resource to his employees and his willingness to continue his education and training as a function of professional growth clearly demonstrate his commitment to the juvenile justice community. Chuck has an associate degree in Sociology from Santa Fe College and a bachelor’s degree from Florida State University majoring in Sociology with a double minor Public Administration and Humanities. He is currently pursuing a master's degree in Psychology with specialization in Terrorism and Security Groups from Walden University, and he is scheduled graduate as a Certified Public Manager in July. Julia Strange, assistant secretary for Detention says, “I have great confidence in Mr. Parkins’ ability to serve as superintendent at the Palm Beach RJDC. His unwavering commitment to ensuring opportunities for success are provided for children will directly impact families, stakeholders and the Palm Beach County community.”

Thanks to Assistant Superintendent Forest Hallam, who will serve as acting superintendent at Alachua RJDC.

DETENTION KUDOS: Thanks to Superintendent Adonis Miles of Hillsborough Regional Juvenile Detention Center-West for his participation in a local Literacy Roundtable on June 9. Local stakeholders concerned about the correlation between criminality and the dropout rate among students were invited to discuss strategies to empower Hillsborough County’s communities to decrease delinquency through promoting literacy. Educators and representatives from the military and faith community attended the event, which was held at the Progress Village Community Center in Tampa.

CIRCUIT 8 KUDOS: From the Gilchrist County Journal dated June 21 -- “The Department of Juvenile Justice will hold a Book Drive on Saturday, June 23, at their office located at 204 N. Main Street in Trenton (directly across from the Gilchrist County Journal) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Books need to be age appropriate for small children and teenagers. These will be used to teach/keep children reading throughout summer and for other DJJ projects…Laura Lampros, DJJ unit secretary, took orders and donations last month to buy tote bags for youth who are placed in foster care and in programs. When youth are picked up and placed, they usually bring their clothes in plastic grocery bags or garbage bags…Now these kids will have something to carry their clothes in and will be theirs to keep! This effort lessens the stress and trauma of the child. Also donated and purchased were small tote bags to put coloring books, crayons, pencils/pencil bags, note pads and small hand games in…Anyone wishing to donate any of the items above for the small tote bags can come by the DJJ office…A very special thank you goes out to all those who gave generous donations to purchase tote bags. You have no idea what this will mean to a child. We look forward to seeing you on June 23!”

Throughout Florida we find individuals who are giving their time, resources and expertise to support the success of at-risk and troubled youth and reform juvenile justice. To all employees, thank you for your dedication and hard work.

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.