Jun 29, 2012

Dear DJJ team members:

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

SUPREME COURT RULING: On Monday, June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court banned mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for youth who commit homicide. The Supreme Court’s opinion enshrines in our nation’s laws concepts on which Florida’s juvenile justice system is built and further validates the work we do with and on behalf of youth. Below is an excerpt from the Supreme Court’s opinion regarding its decision.

“Children are constitutionally different from adults for sentencing purposes. Their ‘lack of maturity’ and ‘underdeveloped sense of responsibility’ lead to recklessness, impulsivity, and heedless risk-taking ... They ‘are more vulnerable . . . to negative influences and outside pressures,’ including from their family and peers; they have limited ‘control over their own environment’ and lack the ability to extricate themselves from horrific, crime-producing settings… And because a child’s character is not as ‘well formed’ as an adult’s, his traits are ‘less fixed’ and his actions are less likely to be ‘evidence of irretrievable depravity.’…[T]he distinctive attributes of youth diminish the penological justifications for imposing the harshest sentences on juvenile offenders, even when they commit terrible crimes.” (To read the Supreme Court’s opinion in Miller v. Alabama in full, click here.) [ Adobe PDF Document ]

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT: Michael Baglivio, Ph.D., Dru Greene, Crystal Johnson, Jennifer Rechichi and Diane Ruane recently became qualified trainers in a delinquency intervention project called “Thinking for A Change” (T4C). T4C is a proven way to reduce recidivism and antisocial attitudes among troubled youth. There are many advantages to having DJJ staff qualified as T4C trainers. In addition to its proven effectiveness in helping at-risk kids, it reduces costs to the state by avoiding the expense of going through the criminal justice system (law enforcement involvement, the judicial process and future prison construction) for youth who break the juvenile justice-to-criminal justice cycle. Also, nearly $2,000, or 68 percent per training, is saved by having T4C delivered by DJJ staff instead of hiring outside trainers. Providing effective delinquency interventions, such as T4C, is vital to reducing juvenile recidivism, thereby increasing public safety for all Floridians.

PROBATION KUDOS I: During the Forgotten Coast Warrior Weekend, a recent event held in Port St. Joe, Circuit 14 Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) Kelly Faircloth and Senior JPO Dennis Massey, as well as more than twenty other motorcycle riders, participated in a motorcade honoring 20 U.S. armed forces service members. Kelly and Dennis volunteer with the Warriors’ Watch Riders (WWR), an organization of motorcyclists dedicated to promoting appreciation for soldiers. Kelly, a former Army soldier, has volunteered with the WWR since his youth and introduced Dennis to the group. Thanks to Kelly and Dennis for their efforts to honor and encourage the hearts of our country’s military personnel.

PROBATION KUDOS II: Circuit 8 Probation staff was recently honored to be joined by Judge William Davis and Gretchen Casey, director of Victim Services for the State Attorney’s Office, for the graduation of the first Self-Esteem and Communication class taught by the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. The class teaches youth how to resolve conflicts through healthy communication in relationships. With the assistance of Sr. JPO Marsha Anglin, the youth were a great success. The next class meets in August.

PROBATION KUDOS III: On June 12, the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding sponsored the screening of the film "Bully," for Circuit 8 Probation staff and youth followed by a panel discussion discussing the personal impact of bullying. “Bully” is a critically acclaimed documentary that shows the impact of bullying on five youth and their families in four different states. Thanks to Chief Probation Officer (CPO) Jill Wells, JPO Supervisors Melanie Kretzman and Jackie Owens, Senior JPO Marsha Anglin and JPOs Kelli Taylor, Phillip Minafield, Craig Stone and Debbie Pruitt for their assistance and participation, making this opportunity for youth possible.

PROBATION KUDOS VI: Circuit 20 CPO Margaret LaMarca shares an email sent by a parent to JPO Krysten Ridenour, who is leaving DJJ to become a law enforcement officer. Margaret says, “Krysten has been a great asset to us and it is quite clear that she very positively impacted the lives of our youth. Just another example of how lucky this agency is to have such great staff!”

Sent:

Thursday, June 28, 2012 9:23 AM
To: Ridenour, Krysten A.

Wow, I’m going to really miss you Kristen and thank you so much for being there for us. You have been a very helpful person to my family and I will never forget that. Please stay in touch. I would not want to lose communication with you. You have been more than (my child’s) probation officer to me and I wish you the best in this new career. Don’t forget us. You’re going to bring tears to my eyes. Again, thanks.

FAREWELL: Two other respected individuals are leaving the DJJ team this week. Please join me in wishing them well.

Ken Mostyn, a project manager in Facility Services, is retiring today after 27 years of service to the State of Florida. He has worked for DJJ for 14 years, coming to us from the Department of Corrections. Congratulations and best wishes to Ken on his retirement.

Susan Quinn, Ph.D., a senior data analyst in the Office of Data and Planning, has moved on after eight years with DJJ. Susan was responsible for Residential data for the Comprehensive Accountability Report, Program Accountability Measures Report and Admissions Analysis and was the former Institutional Review Board director. She will teach criminal justice, statistics and research methods at a Georgia Gwinnett College. Susan’s duties will be shared by staff in Data and Planning.

CONDOLENCES: It is with a heavy heart that I announce the recent passing of two of our beloved DJJ team members. Please join me in offering condolences to their families, friends, co-workers, and the youth they served.

Patty Clark, a Senior JPO,passed away on June 22 after a prolonged illness. During her struggle, Patty’s thoughts were for her coworkers and the children she worked with. She always looked for ways to help youth. Before becoming ill, she led Bible studies every week with the girls at Okaloosa Regional Juvenile Detention Center (RJDC). She also volunteered with Guardian Ad Litem, Loaves and Fishes and Ronald McDonald House. In addition, she worked part time at Lakeview Center in Pensacola, caring for adults with disabilities. Patty had been with DJJ for 12 years.

Louis Campanelli, asenior juvenile detention officerat Brevard RJDC for the past five years, died unexpectedly of natural causes on June 26. He was an officer of great character, a mentor and resource to the children and his fellow officers, and a true gentleman. The children at Brevard RJDC were so saddened by his death that they sent condolence cards to his wife. Funeral services for Louis are on Saturday, June 30 at 11:00 am at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Indialantic.

BOOK DRIVE UPDATE: The Circuit 8 Book Drive held on June 23 was successful in collecting approximately 30 books and other items for children in foster care. The Trenton Probation office is still accepting books and continues to need items to complete the children’s tote bags, including: antibacterial gel and wipe packs, coloring books, crayons, pencils, large pencil bags, note pads, children’s books, snack bowls with lids, and sealable water bottles. If anyone is interested in assisting, please contact Laura Lampros at 352.463.4150 or toll free 888.417.1485.

Thanks to all employees for your service and dedication and please enjoy a safe and happy Independence Day.

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.