Apr 26, 2013

Dear DJJ team members:

Welcome to my weekly letter. I am pleased to share the following news and announcements.

Gov. Rick Scott, Lauren Book, Founder of Lauren’s Kids, (left, wearing cap) and supporters on the steps of the Historic Old Capitol for the Walk in My Shoes Rally to End Sexual Abuse

2013 NATIONAL CRIME VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK: Did you know Florida was the first state to make it a felony to not report child abuse? This is especially important because it is estimated that one in three girls and one in five boys are the victims of sexual abuse. This week, as people across the country recognized crime victims, their rights and those who advocate for them, I had the honor of participating in number of events held here in Florida. Victims are an important part of everything we do here at DJJ, and it was a pleasure for me to speak on behalf of the department about the incredible work our employees do each and every day to help victims recover and thrive and ensure delinquent youth receive the care they need to lead successful, crime-free futures.

In addition to this being National Victims’ Rights Week, April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On April 23, I was proud to welcome Lauren Book, her father, Ron Book, and hundreds of supporters as they completed the last mile of her 1,500 mile Walk In My Shoes march, which started in the Florida Keys and concluded in Tallahassee for the Rally in Tally on the steps of Florida’s Historic Capitol. This is the fourth year Lauren, a self-proclaimed sexual abuse “survivor thriver,” has led the journey to raise awareness and educate the public about sexual abuse. Following the race’s conclusion, I had the honor of standing on the steps of the Florida Historic Capitol with Gov. Rick Scott, Lauren Book, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and many members of the Florida Legislature and supporters to send the message that “It’s OK to Tell.” During her speech, Lauren shared with the audience a number of encounters she and her team had during this year’s trek that resulted in victims getting connected to immediate assistance in their very own communities. Lauren’s spirit and dedication to not only overcome the adversity she faces but to also help others is truly an inspiration and I am already looking forward to the 2014 Walk In My Shoes events. If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, call (800) 962-2873 or visit https://reportabuse.dcf.state.fl.us/.

On April 24, the Florida Parole Commission (FPC) commemorated 2013 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a tree-planting ceremony at the FPC headquarters in Tallahassee. As I dug my shovel into the ground, I couldn’t help but think that this tree is representative of the youth we serve – young and vulnerable but full of potential. Thanks to FPC Chair Tena M. Pate for hosting this important event. It was an honor to participate along with my fellow guests: Victims’ Rights Coordinator Susan Smith with the Executive Office of the Governor, Department of Corrections Deputy Secretary Timothy H. Cannon, State Attorney William “Willie” N. Meggs of the Second Judicial Circuit, FPC Vice Chair Bernard R. Cohen, Sr., and FPC Secretary Melinda N. Coonrod.

CIVIL CITATION EXPANDS IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY: On April 22, I was thrilled to join Escambia County public officials in Pensacola to announce the county-wide expansion of the Civil Citation process. Many thanks to Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, State Attorney William “Bill” Eddins, Public Defender Bruce Miller, Pensacola Police Chief Chip W. Simmons, Judge Edward P. Nickinson, III,of the First Judicial Circuit Court, Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas and County Commissioner Lumon May for their support. Being in the midst of Legislative Session, Sen. Greg Evers and Rep. Clay Ingram couldn’t be at the press conference, but I want to also recognize them because they have been incredibly helpful with juvenile justice issues. Sen. Evers sponsored DJJ’s 2013 legislative package, which worked to increase local stakeholder community involvement in Florida's juvenile justice system, and is also bringing about greater protections from harm and neglect for youth in our custody or under our supervision, and Rep. Ingram has legislation that is directed at stemming the tide of young people going into gangs.

April 22 County-wide Civil citation announcement at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office

This type of collaboration that went into making the dream of county-wide civil citation in Escambia a reality is precisely what we need to enact systemic change that will make Florida a national model for juvenile justice. Escambia County schools have made the Civil Citation process available to students since September 2012. By expanding juvenile Civil Citations to be available county wide, first-time, non-violent youth offenders in Escambia County now have an equal opportunity to be held accountable for their actions without establishing an arrest record, which can ruin their chances of a successful future while also giving law enforcement the flexibility they need to protect public safety. Additionally, Civil citation presents an opportunity to get to the root of what is causing the youth’s behavior and address those underlying issues, decreasing the likelihood they will reoffend while also saving taxpayer dollars. For more details, click here to read the press release.

Photograph by Tony Gilberson, courtesy of Pensacola News-Journal (PNJ).

Click here to read the PNJ article on the expansion of the Civil Citation process in Escambia County.

ROADMAP UPDATE: The date for the twelfth and (possibly) final Roadmap Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, in Fort Myers at the Dr. Carrie Robinson Community Center from 6 – 8 p.m. I have also arranged to meet with the Naples Daily News and the Fort Myers News-Press editorial boards while I’m in the area, and I am excited for this opportunity to share the department’s plan for improving the juvenile justice system.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Today, the Senate heard our agency bill, CS/HB 617, Juvenile Justice Advisory Boards and County Councils, by Rep. Ray Pilon and Sen. Greg Evers; it was temporarily postponed. If approved, it will be sent to Gov. Scott for his signature. The Senate companion bill, SB 676 by Sen. Evers, was substituted for the House bill, which was approved last week. This legislation streamlines the boards and councils into 20 circuit advisory boards which report to the department. This re-alignment will lead to greater communication and efficiency between the boards and DJJ.

We have also been working hard to get CS/SB 672, Juvenile Justice, by Sen. Evers placed for a final vote on the Senate floor. Its House companion, CS/HB 353 by Rep. Harrell has already been approved by the House. This legislation is important because it creates a criminal penalty in statute for those that neglect or abuse children of any age, while in DJJ care. It also repeals provisions for the outdated Youth Custody Officer position and the provision for punitive jail tours, which if used could jeopardize the agency’s federal funding.

As we begin the final week of session, we are working hard with legislators and their staff to ensure the final DJJ budget reflects the Governor’s Florida’s Families First budget priorities. Individual budget conference committees have concluded. Next week, the House and Senate will vote on a final budget.

NEW RESOURCE FOR GIRLS POLICY: On April 24, I was privileged to offer remarks at the opening celebration of the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center in Jacksonville. The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center focuses on girls and young women who are in, or at risk of entering, the juvenile justice and/or foster care systems. It seeks to redirect the girls to more constructive pathways, and to improve these systems so that girls who are being served by them receive appropriate services, support and counseling to enable them to build productive lives. This corresponds with DJJ’s commitment to delinquency prevention, diversion and gender-specific efforts. I am very excited about this Center and the promise it holds for Northeast Florida and for the entire state. I look forward to building a partnership with the Delores Barr Policy Center as we work toward our common goals: the safe and healthy development of girls in our care. Thanks to philanthropist Delores Barr Weaver and the Center’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Lawanda Ravoira, for their vision and commitment to providing help for girls.

DISTRACTED DRIVING MONTH: The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the National Safety Council (NSC) have joined to designate April as “Distracted Driving Month.” According to the NSC, motor vehicle crashes cause thousands of deaths and an estimated 3.5 million injuries each year. They are the top reason for work-related deaths, and 24 percent of all crashes involve cell phone use. Please join me in pledging to drive cell-phone free. As a reminder, DJJ has a policy regarding cell phone use while driving, which is available at FDJJ-1306P section Item II, H. 3. Thanks to DOH Secretary John H. Armstrong, M.D., for making this effort a priority for all Florida’s state agencies with his call for each state agency to develop a policy against distracted driving while operating any vehicle on state business!

FLORIDA JUVENILE JUSTICE FOUNDATION (FJJF) UPDATE: On April 19, the FJJF held a fundraiser at DJJ headquarters in Tallahassee. Local business franchises offered spa and beauty products and purses, totes and organizers for purchase with the profits going to FJJF. The amount raised is not yet known; proceeds from the event are pending. Thanks go to business owners Bonnie Davidson with BeautiControl and Tammy Pulsifer with Thirty-one for donating their time and profits, as well as Bonnie’s friend Roberta and DJJ’s Jeannene Snyder for their assistance. Thanks also to DJJ employee Jeri Bennett and FJJF Executive Director Heather DiGiacomo for organizing the event.

FJJF is the direct-support organization for DJJ. It focuses on helping youth further their education and/or employability skills through the FJJF Youth Investment Award (YIA). The YIA program provides funding for youth who have specific needs that cannot be met by other agencies or funding sources. To donate to the FJJF, click here. FJJF promotes education and public safety through effective prevention, intervention and treatment services that strengthen families and positively change the lives of troubled youth.

VOLUNTEER FAITH PARTNERS/CHAPLAINS UPDATE: Since DJJ started theFaith Community Network and Volunteer Chaplaincy Program, this all-volunteer effort has grown and expanded to serve Department of Children and Families (DCF) youth. Currently, more than 2,100 faith communities and faith-based organizations serve as Faith Partners providing services such mentoring, tutoring, after school programs, pastoral care and counseling, and 660 volunteer chaplains have been formally trained.

Volunteer Faith Partner and Chaplain training has been scheduled for the following two locations. To register for training and become a faith partner or volunteer chaplain in your community, please contact Andy Hindman at (850) 717-2432 or Andy.Hindman@djj.state.fl.us.

• Jacksonville - Wednesday, May 15, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the New Life Temple Church located at 8247 West Ramona Boulevard.

• Madison - A Regional Faith Volunteer/Chaplains Basic Training will be held Saturday, May 25, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Cherry Lake AME Church.

The public is invited to attend the Circuit 12 Faith Forum in Sarasota on Thursday, May 2, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bayside Community Church - East Sarasota Campus, 8993 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. The purpose of the faith forum will be to:

• Raise awareness of issues impacting at-risk youth and their families;
• Educate faith communities on the juvenile justice system and how to connect;
• Connect resources of the faith community and faith based organizations;
• Create a dialogue to address issues impacting at-risk youth and their families; and
• Provide training to improve and enhance faith based programs and ministries.

Additional Faith Forums are being planned for Tallahassee, Ft. Lauderdale, Pensacola, Ft. Myers and Key West.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: The 62nd Annual National Day of Prayer will be celebrated on May 2, 2013. The theme is “Pray for America.” People of different faiths and religions are encouraged to join in prayer for the nation and its leaders. Florida will observe the National Day of Prayer with an event on Thursday, May 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on the 22nd floor of the Capitol, in Tallahassee.

ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING UPDATE: The date for the 2013 Human Trafficking Summit has been changed to Thursday, October 3, 2013. It will be held at the University of South Florida in Tampa, as previously announced.

CIRCUIT 19 YOUTH SUCCESS DAY CELEBRATION: St. Lucie County area youth, their families and DJJ staff walked from the probation field office to the Museum Point Park in Fort Pierce on April 9, 2013, for the annual “Walk for Success” event in accordance with Youth Success Day. Guest speakers included members of the Fort Pierce Police Department who talked to the youth about the sealing and expunging of records, job applications and financial aid. The event had nearly 30 kids in attendance from DJJ, Eckerd Leadership Program, the Wave Crest Shelter and the Police Athletic League. Thanks to all DJJ staff for their help in this fantastic event.

Also on April 9, more than 50 children and their families attended the Youth Success Career Day event in Stuart. The youth had a chance to listen to pillars of their community speak about setting goals and making the choices that will lead to success. The key note speaker was a career coach who was a former client in the DJJ system. Despite her obstacles, she was able to graduate from an alternative school with a 3.8 GPA. She now works with at-risk kids and serves as a mentor in her community, and her testimony was very inspirational to the kids in attendance, who earned community service hours for their participation. Many thanks go to Eckerd Alternatives and the Florida Juvenile Justice Association for their help in this event as well as the hard working employees in Martin County.

JPO Supervisor Nathan Peterson along with the staff in Indian River County procured a sponsorship from a local movie theater and bank to give up to 30 youth a free movie pass, popcorn, and drinks. Local children had a nice night out at the movies on April 12.

Okeechobee County held their Youth Success Career Day on April the 12 at the local probation field office. This event featured various speakers from the community including the Mayor of Sebastian, Bob McPartlan . Local youth were given the opportunity to earn community service hours for their attendance. Kids were presented with certificates for their accomplishments. Thanks to the FJJA for graciously donating funds to support the event.

TAKE OUR DAUGHTERS AND SONS TO WORK DAY: DJJ headquarters hosted a program for National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day on April 25. It was truly my pleasure to welcome children of our agency’s headquarters employees as they participated in the festivities. DJJ hosted 45 children in the DJJ Training Center, where they learned the importance of making good choices and the consequences people face when they break the law. Kids participated in a wide variety of activities throughout the day, and guest speakers included JPOs Craig Swain and Warren Garrison (pictured, right) from Circuit 2. Both officers described themselves as being big helpers for Florida’s families, which prompted one kid to ask, “Can you cook?” Craig and Warren stressed the importance of creating goals, and reminded the children that the sky is the limit. The Florida Channel was on hand to cover the event. To see the coverage, click here ; the DJJ segment starts at 27:10.

My thanks to Heather DiGiacomo for coordinating such a wonderful event!

Carolyn McKecuen, President of the Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work Foundation, describes of the day’s purpose in an open letter on the organization’s website: “Exposing girls and boys to what a parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day is important, but showing them the value of their education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, and providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future and begin steps toward their end goals in a hands-on and interactive environment is key to their achieving success…By bringing girls and boys together, we will continue to create a more equitable world—at home, at school, in the workplace, and in the community.”

STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING UPDATE: DJJ is creating a new in-house learning management system to replace the CORE online training system. The new system, scheduled for release in 2014, is expected to save the state approximately half of a million dollars annually and will offer staff a completely different approach to job-related learning. Relevant, interactive e-courses, downloadable e-books and videos are just some of the modernized learning content that will be available. The new system will offer employees a way to develop and refine skills to improve their job performance and enhance their careers long-term.

RESIDENTIAL KUDOS: The letter of appreciation, below, from the grandmother of a girl who recently completed a residential program shows the care and effort we demonstrate with children is important to the families we help. Thanks to the staff members listed, as well as the entire team at Okeechobee Girls Academy!

Dear Okeechobee Girls Academy Staff:

Please accept my gratitude for the support, training, encouragement, guidance, therapy and medical care that you all gave to my granddaughter while she was at your facility and in your care during from January to April 2013.

I’d like to personally recognize the following staff members to the best of my knowledge and memory:

Demetria Refoure Ms. Boyat

Terrissa Bryan Ms. Hill

Ruth McKenna Ms. Butts

Jennifer de Bree Ms. Cooley

Natrinelle Edwards Ms. Cruz

Hope Sheppard Ms. Corde

John Russ Ms. Byrd

Linda Jolly

And anyone else that I may have missed and didn’t include, please accept my apologies.

My granddaughter also sends her many thanks to all of you and wishes everyone the best.

Thanks to all employees, providers and stakeholders for working collaboratively to find creative ways to help at-risk and troubled youth.

Sincerely,

Wansley Walters

Secretary

PS: Please send any noteworthy or newsworthy items for consideration in my weekly letter to the Communications Office at

News@djj.state.fl.us

or call 850.921.5900. Submissions are considered on a space-available basis and may be edited for clarity and length. Thank you for your cooperation.