Directions D A publication of the Georgia epartment of Juvenile Justice Volume XIV, Issue No. 2 Summer 2008 `08 SESSION YIELDS DJJ IMPROVEMENTS Governor, Legislature Address Critical Issues This year's session of the Georgia General Assembly was another active one for the Department of Juvenile Justice. Once again, Commissioner Albert Murray was proactive in promoting legislation that would assist in Georgia's effort to become the best-managed state in juvenile justice. DJJ began the session by introducing two bills aimed at changing the way lower-risk offenders are treated in Georgia. House Bill 1124, sponsored by Representative Wendell Willard, sought to make further changes to the 60day Short-Term Program (STP) sentence by limiting the criteria to only youth who commit serious offenses and who are a threat to public safety. This would have allowed DJJ to redirect resources and utilize existing beds for high-risk offenders without building new beds. House Bill 1225, also sponsored by Representative Willard, sought to codify the use of an objective risk assessment instrument to assist judges in making placement decisions for secure-detention. Under the proposal, all courts would use the assessment instrument. However, judges would have the discretion to override and place the child in secure-detention if necessary. Both bills were tabled after much debate. Although the bills were tabled, an important policy discussion involving the juvenile justice system took place allowing informed decisions to be made regarding where to allocate resources. Since Georgia's at-risk population is sharply rising, the debate illustrated that the state cannot maintain the status quo. Doing nothing would risk severe crowding in secure facilities. Consequently, the General Assembly and Governor Perdue approved a $7.4 million bond package to start the process of increasing secure-bed capacity. Commissioner Murray stated, "Debate is good, and though our bills were tabled, the process resulted in necessary system improvements." He added the agency will continue to focus on legislation that will improve the juvenile justice system. In addition to DJJ initiatives, other legislation passed this year resulted in a significant change for an agency attached to DJJ. Governor Perdue proposed the Children and Family Services Strengthening Act of 2008 which re-structures four agencies responsible for serving Georgia's at-risk children. As a result, the Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC) will combine with the Children's Trust Fund Commission (CTF)to become the Governor's Office of Children and Families. A d d i t i o n a l l y, the Office of Child Advocate (OCA)will assume the responsibilities DJJ Legislative Director, Spiro Amburn of the Office of Fatality Review (OCFR). The two new agencies will work together to ensure consistency and effectiveness in child welfare planning, policy and funding. The combined agen- cies will also report directly to the Governor's Office and work closely with youth services agencies including DJJ. The Governor's Office of Children and Families will rely on a con- solidated board composed of CYCC and CTF board mem- bers to make grants to local communities and will also serve as the new home for the First Lady's Children's Cabinet. "Overall, it was a successful year," said Spiro Amburn, Director of Legislative Services. "Critical needs were addressed thanks to the leadership of Governor Perdue and the General Assembly. Addressing secure-bed capacity represents a short-term strategy to improve population management." Currently underway is a comprehensive review of Georgia's juvenile code. This review presents a prime opportunity to think creatively about the entire juvenile justice system and to consider innovative reforms that result in safer communities and also maximize the state's resources. A coalition group, consisting of executive, legislative and judicial branch representatives as well as advocates and other stakeholders, is currently working to develop legislation for the 2009 session. COMMISSIONER'S CORNER MEETING FUTURE CHALLENGES TODAY Preparing for the future is never an easy task. One must take into account many elements, to include the element of the unknown. Whether planning for growth, system change, or retirement, it can sometimes be difficult to get started. As commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, I believe one of my responsibilities which must always be given top priority is planning for the future of this agency. I want to make sure the agency is operating at a high level and much better than when I arrived. An important aspect of planning for the future of DJJ is to invest in leaders of tomorrow and assure they are ready when the call comes. As with all state agencies, DJJ is planning for the retirement of key leaders across the agency. We need talented, trained, and qualified staff ready to step up to the plate and take the reins. Commissioner Albert Murray These are not just individual promotions but important moves the agency will make in order to ensure a seamless transition of operations. Our new managers and leaders will have to be well trained and qualified to ensure there is no ground or momentum lost. Several members of the DJJ family will be retiring in 2008. Dr. Thomas Coleman, deputy commissioner of Program Services, has announced he will be leaving in September. The result will be a tremendous amount of knowledge and rich DJJ history that will leave the agency. Dr. Coleman's experience and leadership have been invaluable and will be difficult to replace. He has been a cornerstone in Georgia state government and on my management team. He has been and will always remain my good friend. Another key manager leaving is Dr. Tom O'Rourke. His record in education speaks for itself and precedes my arrival as commissioner by several years. Dr. O'Rourke has elevated the agency's education program to a level that is now recognized nationally as among the best in juvenile corrections. Jimmy Taylor, director of Investigations and Apprehensions, is yet another key member leaving later this year. Jimmy will also leave a well recognized track record as former Legal Director for the agency as well as from his present role as a direct report to me. I highlight these individuals because of their management role at a high level and their direct connection to my office. There will be others worthy of this recognition when the time comes. As usual, we will highlight each of those in this publication. Yet we must see these departures as an opportunity for others and for the agency and to raise awareness of the important decisions that will have to be made when hiring their replacements. As part of planning for future success for DJJ, I have implemented an organizational structural change that will include a fourth major division, led by a new deputy commissioner. Amy Howell, formerly the director of Legal Services, has been a valued member of my Executive Management Team, and she will lead this new division as deputy commissioner. Several functions of the agency will make the transition to the new division, and those are highlighted in this newsletter. This restructuring will strengthen an already strong organization, giving important functions greater visibility and allowing for increased successes. Despite the retirement of valued members of the DJJ family, I see great potential in our future. A good investment is ongoing to cultivate and further develop our talented mid and senior level managers who have desire for more responsibility. Good recruiting continues to bring on board new talent to begin grooming for promotional opportunities that will come. Our goal is consistent with the Governor's goal to make Georgia the best managed state in the nation. My goal is to make DJJ the best managed agency in Georgia state government. 2 /directions/ -Commissioner Albert Murray ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES HOWELL TO LEAD NEW DIVISION The Department of Juvenile Justice has a new division, effective July 1, 2008. In order to allow for greater efficiency in the use of department staff and resources, Commissioner Albert Murray created the Division of Administrative Services, headed by a new deputy commissioner. Amy Howell, who formerly served as the director of the Office of Legal Services, was promoted to lead the new division. Howell has been director of the Legal Services Office since 2005. A former public defender and managing attorney at the Southern Juvenile Defender Center at the Emory School of Law, Howell is also the president-elect of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division. "Amy has the skills and credentials to develop this new division into a solid unit to work collaboratively with all others," said Commissioner Albert Murray. Amy Howell Jimmy Taylor, former director of the Office of Investigations and Apprehensions, has been named acting assistant deputy commissioner of the new division. Taylor has 34 years of service with the state and also served previously as DJJ's Legal Director. The new division will include the offices of Training, Human Resources, Legal Services, Apprehensions, Investigations and Classification and Transportation (OCATS). T h e O f f i c e o f Investigations and Apprehensions will report to the new assistant deputy commissioner. This office was formerly a direct report to the commissioner. OCATS was formerly part of the Division of P r o g r a m S e r v i c e s . H u m a n Resources and Training were formerly under Deputy Commissioner Jeff Minor as part of the Fiscal and Administrative Services Division. Minor's responsibilities remain largely the same, but his division has been renamed the Division of Fiscal and Information Technology Services. Minor's division will oversee the offices of Budget, Financial Services, Audits, Contracts and Grants, Engineering and Construction, Federal Programs, Technology & Information Services, and Records. "The reorganization of the central office will bring about more balance between the divisions, allow for greater utilization of existing staff, and in the long term, improve the overall efficiency of the central office as a support base to the total agency," said Murray. "This reorganization gives our experienced professionals an opportunity to make greater contributions to the overall mission of the agency." In addition to the new division, the names of existing divisions and one office have been changed to better reflect their role in the agency. The Division of Program Services, headed by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Thomas Coleman, is now the Division of Programs and Secure Campuses. The Division of Operations, headed by Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom, is now the Division of Community Services and Intake, and the Office of Public Affairs is now the Office of Media and Public Relations. 3 /directions/ STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS COLBENSON, HEAD OF CYCC, RETIRES AFTER 32 YEARS Pete Colbenson, "It's v e r y executive director sad to be of the Children saying and Youth goodbye to Coordinating Pete, but at Council (CYCC), the same retired at the end time, we of March after a know that distinguished 32- he leaves year career in us, and the Georgia's juve- juvenile jus- nile justice sys- tice system, tem. Colbenson, who has a PhD. in history, Clayton County Juvenile Court Judge and DJJ and CYCC Board Member Steven Teske presents Pete Colbenson with a proclamation honoring his years of service to the youth of Georgia. in good shape, and by g o i n g intended juvenile justice to In 1990, he moved to the now he gets the chance to be a temporary career, but C Y C C t o b e c o m e enjoy his hard earned pen- he ended up dedicating his Georgia's juvenile justice sion," Vignati said. professional life to helping Georgia's youth. Colbenson served Georgia in many capacities, including seven years as director of the Gwinnett County Treatment Center, starting in 1997, and five years as director of the Clayton Regional Youth Detention Center (now named the Martha K. Glaze RYDC). specialist. In 2001, Colbenson was named executive director of the CYCC. Joe Vignati, juvenile justice specialist with the CYCC, said that the seven years he spent working with Colbenson were the best years of his professional life. "It has been my pleasure to work with Pete for the last 18 years," said Susan Atkins, CYCC budget officer. "His vast knowledge and experience of the juvenile justice system will surely be missed." Albert Murray, commissioner of the Department o f Juvenile Justice, said Colbenson's efforts on behalf of the young people of Georgia will be missed. "Pete Colbenson was among the first individuals I met when I was appointed Commissioner in 2004," Commissioner Murray said. "Pete extended his friendship to me and offered his assistance in any way during my early days and weeks on the job. Since that time we were able to build a friendship and partnership based on our mutual commitment to system improvement and youth development. He was a risk taker and a child advocate who will take his place among the many who preceded him in advocating for improvements in the delivery of services to the vulnerable children and families of Georgia." EASTMAN YDC DIRECTOR MADDOX RETIRES AFTER LONG CAREER Glynn Maddox, director of the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC), retired April 1, 2008 after 30 years of service in state government. Maddox began his career with the state in 1985, working as a probation/parole officer. Prior to that, Maddox worked for the University of Georgia Police Department. He came to DJJ in 1997 as an assistant super- intendent. Later that same year, he was pro- moted to assistant director of the Eastman YDC. Glynn Maddox, (center), with (left to right) Assistant Deputy Commissioner Gordon Fisher, Commissioner Albert Murray, DJJ Board Chairman Daniel Shuman, and Deputy Commissioner Dr. Thomas Coleman at the March meeting of the Board of Juvenile Justice. In 2006, he was named director of the Sumter YDC, and in February of 2008, he returned to the Eastman YDC as its director. "We certainly appreciate the service of Glynn Maddox in all of his roles, and we wish him well in his retirement," said DJJ Commissioner Albert Murray. 4 /directions/ STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS OPERATIONS LEADERS RETIRE District 11 Director James "Rudy" Gordon retired June 1, 2008 after 34 years of service to the state of Georgia in the field of juvenile justice. Gordon started with the state of Georgia in 1977 when juvenile justice was a function of the Department of Human Resources. He served as a court services officer until 1989, when he became a juvenile probation/parole specialist III. Rudy Gordon In 2003, he was named assistant district director of District 11, and in 2005 Preben Heidemann he was promoted to district director of the same district. Regional Administrator Preben Heidemann retired June 1, 2008 after 20 years of service to the Department of Juvenile Justice. Heidemann came to Georgia in 1986 after a 20 year career in juvenile corrections in Iowa, where he managed a youth development campus. Heidemann first served as a counselor at the Griffin Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). He was later named director of the Griffin facility, and he served as district director of the department's old District 4 prior to serving as Regional Administrator of Region III. SYDNEY WHITE MOVES TO MARYLAND DEPT. OF JUVENILE SERVICES Sydney White, quality assessment and evaluation coordinator, Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI), has been selected as the assistant director of quality review with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. After joining OCI in October 2004, White served as a specialist in several service areas including Safety, Security and Facility Structure; Behavior Management; and Admissions and Release. "Ms. White was truly an asset to DJJ through her knowledge and professionalism in discharging her evaluation and technical assistance duties; participation in policy development meetings; facilitation of focus groups and other collaborations regarding continuous quality improvement," according to Shirley Turner, director of OCI. Turner added, "Sydney will serve Maryland well, her contributions will be missed but I believe her selection by that agency speaks to the quality of our operations here." HARRISON APPOINTED TO MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE Richard Harrison LPC, director of the Department of Juvenile Justice's Office of Behavioral Health Services, has been appointed to a task force led by Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears to promote criminal justice mental health collaboration. The Chief Justice-Led Task Force to Promote Criminal Justice/Mental Health Collaboration has been charged with reviewing the systemic problems that cause people with mental illnesses to be arrested and incarcerated in disproportionate numbers and to identify solutions to these problems. The primary goal is to find ways to improve Georgia's response to people with mental illness who come in contact with the criminal justice system. Sears informed the task force that, "Although about nine percent of our general population is mentally ill, about 16 percent of the people in our jails and prisons are. Mental illness is not a crime. The criminal justice system has become a repository for people with mental illness." Harrison was chosen based on his collective experience and talent that calls for collaboration, compassion and intense commitment that he has exemplified not only here at Department of Juvenile Justice, but during all of his past inter-agency collaborations throughout the state of Georgia on other mental health initiatives. Harrison has worked in the state government mental health field for the past Rick Harrison, director of the Office of Behavioral Health Services 27 years, the last nine with DJJ's Office of Behavioral Health Services. 5 /directions/ STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS Viviene Wood has been selected as Juvenile Program Manager for the Paulding Court Services Office. Wood transferred from the Office of Training. She holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in sociology from the State University of West Georgia. Frank Rodriguez has been selected as Property Manager in the Office of Financial Services. Rodriguez is the former director of the Aaron Cohn RYDC in Columbus. He is in charge of all of the department's asset-related issues, including fleet management. Rodriguez, a 20-year veteran of the New Orleans Police Department, has taught management and criminal justice classes on a college level. He has a bachelor's degree in business from Southern University at New Orleans and a master's degree in criminal justice from New York State University. Tina Bufford has been selected as Absence Management and FMLA Coordinator for the Office of Human Resources. She has over 25 years of experience in human resources and payroll. Bufford's most recent position before joining the department was as the director of human resources for Thomas, Thomas & Walsh. Gary Morris has been selected as the new Director of the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC). Morris has over 20 years of service to b o t h t h e Te n n e s s e e Department of Correction a n d t h e Te n n e s s e e Department of Children's Services, including 12 years as a superintendent at two YDCs. Maurice Barron has been selected as Director of the Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). Barron has been with DJJ for eight years. He began working for DJJ at the Sumter YDC in 2000 as a counselor, and he later served as an Institutional Program Director. He became an Assistant Director at the Muscogee Youth Development Campus (YDC) in March 2005. He has also been the Campus Safety Director at South Georgia Technical College and worked as a police officer and a probation officer. Latera Davis has been selected as the new Assistant Office Director of the Office of Classification and Transportation. Davis has nine years experience with DJJ, serving in the capacity as a JPPS II & III and as Program Coordinator with Campus Operations. Davis has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University, a master's degree in public administration from Kennesaw State University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Georgia. BJCOT CLASSES YIELD HONOR GRADUATES In the first half of 2008, the Department of Juvenile Justice has had over 400 new juvenile correctional officers graduate from Basic Juvenile Correctional Officer Training (BJCOT). Nine of the new JCOs earned honor graduate status. In order to be an honor graduate, JCOs must complete training with an overall 95 percent grade-point-average. Honor Graduates January: Janita Jackson Marietta RYDC Terry Calhoun Claxton RYDC February: Stanley Dixon Muscogee YDC March: Tereon Tyus Bill Ireland YDC Tanya Hudson Aaron Cohn RYDC Stanley Dixon was the sole honor graduate for BJCOT class 129. He is a JCO I at Muscogee YDC. April: Ivory Renthrope Savannah RYDC Tesheba Harper Bill Ireland YDC Samantha Shenett Eastman YDC May (Left to Right): Tesheba Harper, Bill Ireland YDC; Ivory Renthrope, Savannah RYDC; and Samantha Shenett, Eastman YDC, were all BJCOT Class 131 honor graduates. Falacia Butler Macon YDC 6 /directions/ BOARD NOTES TESKE SERVES ON FEDERAL COMMITTEE Judge Steven Teske Clayton County Juvenile Court Judge Steven Teske is serving on the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ). Teske also serves on the Board of Juvenile Justice's Judicial Advisory Council and the Board of the Children and Youth Coordinating Council (CYCC). The FACJJ is a consultative body established by the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The FACJJ is composed of members of state advisory groups and advises the president and Congress on juvenile justice policy, assesses the progress and performance of juvenile justice related activities, and advises the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's administrator on the agency's work. The JJDPA reauthorization bill was recently introduced in Congress and Judge Teske's advocacy has been beneficial to the State of Georgia. BOARD MEMBERS HELP REVIEW PROPOSED JUVENILE CODE Board Member James Kelly and Judicial Advisory Council Member Judge Quintress Gilbert took time to participate in DJJ's review of the proposed new juvenile code prepared by the Juvenile Law Committee of the State Bar of Georgia's Young Lawyers Division. The new proposed code was released for review by the public and state executive branch agencies in March, and the DJJ committee, headed by Amy Howell, director of the Office of Legal Services, is reviewing the code to see how the proposed changes would affect the agency. Judge Gilbert said that, as an advisory council member, she thought it was important to know how the proposed legislation could impact the department. "Advisors need to be aware of the way the proposed legislation is leaning," she said. Kelly said that any proposed legislation needs to take practical matters into account. "As a lawyer, I appreciate how important it is to make sure the laws our legislature passes are consistent with the practical realities and programs that exist at the citizen level," Kelly said. "This coordinated approach is especially important in the area of juvenile justice." Judge Quintress Gilbert (right) and Sonia NormanJohnson, DJJ legal services officer, review the proposed juvenile code rewrite. DJJ will take any suggestions or con- cerns about the proposed legislation to the JustGeorgia Coalition, the group overseeing the creation of a legisla- tive packet of the rewrite. JustGeorgia, which is made up of the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, the Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic of Emory University, and Voices for Georgia's Children, plans to release its leg- islative packet in August for further review. COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE DJJ OBSERVES VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK WITH OPEN HOUSES In honor of National Victims' Rights Week, observed April 13-19, the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice held open houses throughout the state to highlight the agency's commitment to serving victims of juvenile crime. The open houses gave the public the opportunity to meet with DJJ's Regional Balanced and Restorative Justice Coordinators. Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) is an approach to juvenile justice which recognizes that correc- tions is not only about holding offenders responsible for their actions but also about offering victims and the community a chance to heal. BARJ coordinators work in conjunction with Joycelyn Evans, DJJ's victim advocate, to make sure Paulding Open House: Debbie Bickers, CASA; victims have a voice in the juvenile justice process. (continued on next page) Carol Casey, KidsNet; Debaja Coleman, DJJ BARJ coordinator for Region I, and Ken Park, KidsNet 7 /directions/ COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK OPEN HOUSES CONTINUED The open houses were held at the Bob Richards Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC), the Macon and Paulding RYDCs and the Lanier County and Richmond County Court Services Offices. The open houses gave the public a chance to meet the BARJ coordinators, who each serve one of DJJ's five regions. Members of the public were able to ask questions and learn about the concept of Balanced and Restorative Justice. "The Department of Juvenile Justice is committed to delivering services to victims of crimes committed by juvenile offenders. That's why we now have a full-time advocate for victims on staff," said Commissioner Albert Murray. "Balanced and Restorative Justice makes youthful offenders face up to the consequences of their actions, and it helps them understand the impact their crime has had on their victim." METRO RYDC CELEBRATES TENTH ANNIVERSARY Former directors, youth and staff celebrated along with DJJ." Murray also praised facility Director John Wright for Commissioner Albert Murray during an event held to com- his leadership since taking the job in 2006. memorate 10 years of operation by the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). Three days of events were held May 15-17, 2008. At 200 beds, the Metro RYDC is the largest detention center operated by DJJ. Former directors Bennie Lowe and Larry Hurt attended, as did DeKalb County Juvenile Court Judge Desiree Sutton Peagler and Fulton County Juvenile Court Administrator Mike Wilson. Metro originally opened as a center dedicated The celebration was marked by youth performances, and to accepting Fulton County's detention population. 10-year employees were honored during the event. Fifteen Members of the facility's advisory council also attended, Metro RYDC employ- including DJJ Board ees who started and member Elizabeth continue their careers Lindsey. at the facility received special recognition. May 16 was Volunteer Appreciation Day, and Saturday May 17 was Commissioner Youth Appreciation Day. Murray's comments highlighted the first The employees who day's event. He said have worked at Metro two significant things since it opened are; happened in 1998; the Rochelle Duncan, Memorandum of William Holifield, Sandra A g r e e m e n t ( M O A ) Metro RYDC Director John Wright (center left) and Commissioner Albert Murray (center James, Ping Li, Dr. Joe with the United States right) with Metro staff who have been at the facility since it opened Lester, Youlanda Little, Department of Justice Anderlyn Shaw, Zane and the opening of the Metro RYDC. He said the MOA has Shelfer, Cheryl Strong, Damita Stubbs, Willie Taylor, brought much needed change and improvement to the sys- Georgia Tucker, Ernest Umunna, Valerie Wallace, and tem and the Metro RYDC is, "a shining symbol of the new Joyce Zellner. STATE REPS VISIT MARIETTA RYDC FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH The Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) had a very spirited and educational Black History celebration on February 25, 2008. The program's theme was "Civil Rights, what does it really mean?" It was intended to educate our youth not just about black history, but the ultimate responsibility that they have as an American. Part of that responsibility is to allow themselves to be in a position to take advantage of what so many people fought very hard to obtain. State Rep. Tyrone Brooks with State Representative Tyrone Brooks, State Representative facility advisory council memRoberta Abdul-Salaam and State Representative Alisha ber Rhea Posey Thomas Morgan spoke to the youth at the event. The repre- 8 /directions/ sentatives told their personal stories of how they got to where they are as a message of inspiration. The youth were moved by the fact that Brooks not only knew Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. but walked and marched with him. The program was capped off with various spiritual hymns and musical artists. PROGRAMS AND SECURE CAMPUSES OPEN HOUSE AT BILL IRELAND HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION IMPROVEMENTS An open house to gymnasium highlight physical received a total site improvements to makeover, including the education facili- a new finish for the ties was held at the floor and seats as Bill E. Ireland Youth well as fresh paint on Development the walls. Teachers Campus (YDC) on William Shackelford, May 16, 2008. Garnet Rochon and Daniel Sovereign Officials said the spearheaded the upgrades were the project with minimal first real renovations assistance from at the 100 year old three selected gold facility. Staff joined card youth. The in- YDC Director house project saved Ronnie Richardson, the department thou- Regional Administrator Ronnie Woodard, Commissioner Commissioner Albert Murray cuts the ribbon in front of the renovated education building at Bill Ireland YDC. With him are (left to right) William Shackelford, Daniel Sovereign, Ronnie Richardson, Ronnie Woodard, Dr. Thomas Coleman, and Garnet Rochon. sands of dollars. According to DJJ Director of Engineer- Albert Murray, Deputy Commissioner improvements, stated, "Hopefully the ing Ed Cook, the school upgrades will of Program Services Dr. Thomas students will take pride in it as well and be completed with the replacement of Coleman and others in the celebration. help keep it (the education facility) nice windows in classrooms. Cook says the for a long time." Commissioner Albert size of the campus will be shrinking Education facility improvements total- Murray said both teachers and the stu- with installation of an inner security ing $5.2 million included new floors, dents need a good environment which, perimeter fence which will make the ceilings, lighting, bathrooms, paint and he added, will enhance an already campus more manageable, especially electrical service. A partial re-roofing excellent education program at Bill the movement of youth. Money to project was also completed. All class- Ireland. build a new Vocational Education rooms were renovated. DJJ project Building and money to renovate a engineer David Parham, citing the In addition to the upgrades, the campus housing unit has also been requested. DJJ HOLDS NURSES CONFERENCE IN AUGUSTA The Department of Juvenile Justice held its Medical Training The conference opened with a few words from Deputy Conference in Augusta May 7-9, 2008 to coincide with Commissioner of Program Services Dr. Thomas Coleman, Nurses Appreciation Week. who received a statuette of thanks Facility nurses from around the from the medical staff for his years of service. Coleman, who has state gathered to attend education- been with the department for 13 al workshops and to attend a Nurses' Week recognition dinner. years, plans to retire in September. Susan Smith, lead nurse at the Waycross Regional Youth "I've really enjoyed working with you guys," Coleman told the gathered nurses after Dr. Michelle Detention Center (RYDC), said she Staples-Horne, director of the enjoyed the conference and was glad the department was recognizing its medical staff. Office of Health Services, presented him with the award. Coleman went on to praise DJJ's "This is the nicest conference I've attended," Smith said. "It's a privi- Dr. Michelle Staples-Horne presents Deputy Commissioner Dr. Thomas Coleman with an award in appreciation of his medical staff and to say that they have come a long way and played lege to be able to come, and it does years of service to DJJ. a large role in creating the good make you feel appreciated." r e p u t a t i o n (continued on next page) 9 /directions/ PROGRAMS AND SECURE CAMPUSES NURSES CONFERENCE CONTINUED that the department enjoys today. now, it's incredible," Herndon said. "All over the country people are talking about what a great job DJJ is doing, and then they follow up by talking about the medical unit," Coleman said. Steve Herndon, assistant deputy commissioner of Program Services, also addressed the conference. He said DJJ has come a long way since the days before the Memorandum of Agreement with the United States Department of Justice, when some RYDCs did not even have a nurse on staff. Herndon said the DOJ would soon be returning to do final inspections of six facilities and reminded the staff of the need to continue to be thorough and vigilant in the care they provide for youth in the department's care. The educational seminars the nursing staff attended included an update on the state's HIV prevention efforts, a lecture on youth obesity and its consequences and another on the messages the media sends young people about sexual activity and how to make both young people and parents more media literate. There were also sessions about succession planning, customer service and conflict resolution. Dr. Staples-Horne said the feedback about the conference was positive. "I've heard very good comments from the nurses about the training events," she said. "When you think about where we've been and where we are MACON YDC HOLDS PAGEANT The Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC), the Department of Juvenile Justice's longterm facility dedicated to housing females, held a pageant for the girls on March 21, 2008. Twenty-five girls competed in the pageant. The girls who participated in the pageant had to be on their best behavior. Those who did not meet the behavior requirements were disqualified, and 18 of the girls originally selected went on to compete in the pageant itself. Six other girls served as ushers and helped organize and conduct the pageant. Bonnie Roberts, the recreation supervisor at the Macon YDC, was in charge of the pageant. Roberts said she organized the event to help the youths learn important values like teamwork, pride, community involvement, patience and poise. Roberts also said she wanted the young women to have fun and feel good. The girls who wanted to participate in the pageant had to write an essay about, "Why I Want to be Miss Macon YDC." They also had to work with staff to practice for the talent and From left to right: 4th runner-up is Amanda Lewis; 1st runner-up is Kiera Smith; Miss question and answer portions of the Macon YDC is Maria Caldern; 2nd runner-up is Maya Keating; 3rd runner-up is Breinna pageant. Stewart. Roberts said the entire facility came together for the event, and staff and many members of the community donated a great deal of time and effort. Staff and volunteers donated food and cosmetics for the pageant, and area hairstylists donated their time and services. Maria Caldern was named Miss Macon YDC. Kiera Smith was named first runner-up; Maya Keating was second runnerup; Breinna Stewart was third runner-up and Amanda Lewis was fourth runner-up. "All of the reviews that I have received, from both staff and students, have only been positive," Roberts said. "It was truly a sight to behold as our participants gracefully represented the Macon YDC." 10 /directions/ CUSTOMER SERVICE STANLEY WINS DJJ'S FIRST ANNUAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD Juvenile Probation and Parole Specialist II Keisha Stanley building rapport. These duties are often times quite labori- didn't set out to be DJJ's Customer Service Employee of the ous, so good case managers are easy to recognize and Year; she was just being a caring and dedicated employee. highly valued. Stanley handles 35-40 youth on her caseload DJJ has many of those in the department. However, daily, staying on top of the services required and necessary because of Stanley's service to youth on her caseload she for those youth. was recognized at the May meeting of the Board of Juvenile Justice as the agency's Customer Service Award winner for 2007. Stanley, who works at the Fulton County Multi-Service Center, was nominated by her supervisor Carla Hardnett. On one occasion she had a youth who was received on an apprehension order but could not be detained immediately due to the youth's condition. The youth n e e d e d i m m e d i a t e d r u g and/or alcohol There were several excellent treatment and had to be taken nominees for this award, which to a hospital. DJJ cannot is the manner DJJ and leave a child alone in such a Commissioner Albert Murray situation, and the transport have decided to recognize out- officers' shifts had ended. standing customer service by Although it was not her our employees and to show the responsibility, Stanley sat with state and the public that DJJ is the youth until she could be committed to providing excellent customer service. JPPS II Keisha Stanley with (left to right) Board Chairman Daniel Shuman, Commissioner Albert Murray, and Dr. Tom O'Rourke, DJJ customer service chair. relieved. Stanley continued seeking a The DJJ Customer Service suitable, safe treatment alter- Recognition Plan distributed to the field last fall is located on native placement to detention, but due to filled capacities at our Customer Service link of the DJJ home page. DJJ contracted treatment locations, this was very difficult. employees nominated by the public or by other staff are eligible to win quarterly recognition and be considered for the annual award. As a result of being named the first annual winner, Stanley will have lunch with the Commissioner and attend an approved training conference of her choice in addition to the recognition received at the board meeting. Stanley did not allow the youth to stay in detention any longer than necessary. She continued to seek appropriate treatment placement for the youth and eventually obtained approval for the youth to be equipped with new GPS tracking equipment so the youth could be placed back in the home with her family, which also was necessary due to cir- JPPS IIs are generally responsible for the supervision of cumstances surrounding that home situation. youth who are committed to or under the supervision of the State of Georgia. Their duties include attending court, pro- Nominate a DJJ employee today for providing outstand- cessing paperwork, maintaining standards of contact and ing customer service. Go to www.djj.state.ga.us DJJ HOLDS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES As part of an ongoing effort to make sure agency employees interact with one another and the public they serve in a courteous and professional manner, all DJJ employees, from the Commissioner down, had to attend sexual harassment and customer service training in May and June. Commissioner Albert Murray and other DJJ staff listen to Jerry Brown with Cameron and Associates during sexual harassment/customer service training. The sexual harassment training is an annual occurrence, and the customer service training is part of an ongoing effort on the part of DJJ to improve and expand its customer service efforts. For the past two years, the agency has held Customer Service Summits for employees and introduced a customer service recognition program in 2007. The training was handled by the Office of Training and Cameron and Associates. 11 /directions/ Directions Sonny Perdue Governor DJJ BOARD J. Daniel Shuman Chair Dr. Edwin A. Risler Vice-Chair Daniel Augustus Menefee Secretary Larry Barnes Michael Lee Baugh Bruce Garraway Van Ross Herrin James P. Kelly III Elizabeth Green Lindsey Perry J. McGuire Judy Mecum Dexter Rowland Stephen K. Simpson Elaine P. Snow Sandra Heath Taylor DJJ ADVISORY COUNCIL The Honorable Quintress J. Gilbert The Honorable Steven C. Teske Commissioner: Albert Murray Editor-in-Chief: Steve Hayes Writing Staff: Steve Hayes Nathan Cain Editing Team: Nathan Cain Janssen Robinson Publisher: Printed Communications, Inc. Please direct comments or questions to: Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Media and Public Relations 3408 Covington Highway Decatur, Georgia 30032 Telephone: (404) 508-7147 Facsimile: (404) 508-7341 Website: www.djj.state.ga.us T he mission of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is to protect and serve the citizens of Georgia by holding youthful offenders accountable for their actions through the delivery of treatment services and sanctions in appropriate settings, and by establishing youth in their communities as productive and law abiding citizens. AROUND DJJ DJJ WINS GOVERNOR'S AWARD The Georgia Department of Juvenile Just ice received the "Governor's Award" May 15, 2008 at the 2007-2008 State Charitable Contributions Program Awards Luncheon in DJJ staff accept the Governor's Award. (left to right) State Personnel Atlanta. Administration Commissioner Steve Stevenson, Commissioner Albert Murray, Toni Driskell (Program Services), Doris Maddrey (Operations), Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, Judi Hamill (Shaw RYDC), Deputy Commissioner DJJ was one of Rob Rosenbloom. two agencies to receive the award for the largest increase in contributions over the previous year. DJJ Campaign Chairman Rob Rosenbloom said the agency exceeded goals for both the number of employees participating and the largest total amount of money ever collected by the agency. The total agency contribution topped $70,000 at $70,953.00. That amount exceeded the previous year's contributions by $16,395.00, earning the agency the "Governor's Award." Rosenbloom said, "We're all very proud of the spirit of giving within the DJJ family." Rosenbloom personally thanked Doris Maddrey, Operations administrative assistant, for taking a lead role in the effort. Several DJJ staff attended the awards luncheon. Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle presented the awards to the state agencies. Commissioner Albert Murray praised Rosenbloom for providing the necessary leadership for the successful drive. Murray said, "Despite all of us facing tougher financial times, I knew DJJ employees would continue to give to help those who truly are in need." The program, administered by the State Personnel Administration, gives state employees, once a year, the opportunity to make financial contributions to help others through payroll deduction to eligible charities. Frank Heiny, assistant commissioner for the State Personnel Administration, says total 2007-2008 contributions were $2.8 million, an increase of $240,000 over the previous campaign. He says in 26 years state employees have given more than $48 million dollars to approved charities. 12 /directions/