Directions D A publication of the Georgia epartment of Juvenile Justice Volume XV, Issue No. 2 Summer 2009 MOVING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT DISMISSED BY DJJ AND USDOJ A fter 11 years, the United States Department of Justice has ended monitoring of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. USDOJ and the state of Georgia jointly filed for dismissal of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in federal court on May 5, 2009, verifying that all requirements of the MOA had been met. DJJ received final notification stating it had met all requirements to close the MOA and the case was over. who worked diligently for many years to bring about the dismissal of the MOA. "The status quo was unacceptable and our goal in this agency is to ensure that every child coming through these facilities is treated as if they were our own son and daughter," Governor Sonny Perdue said. "Today I am proud to stand here with Commissioner Murray to proudly report that we are now in compliance in all those areas identified by federal authorities. So thank you to the tireless efforts of Commissioner Albert Murray and many of the hardworking folks at DJJ, out in the field, those in the institutions and facilities, we've now delivered on that promise." The MOA proved to be a catalyst for positive change in Georgia's Juvenile Justice System. Before the MOA, DJJ's facilities operated well above capacity, and many necessary services were lacking. Now, DJJ's facilities function within their rated capacity, the agency's school system is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the department has offices DJJ Board Vice Chairman Dr. Ed Risler, Chairman Daniel Shuman, and Commissioner dedicated to medical and mental health Albert Murray stand by as Governor Sonny Perdue announces the end of the care and has greatly increased youths' Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Department of Justice and DJJ. access to both services. "Today is one of the most significant days in the history of the department," said DJJ Commissioner Albert Murray. "Georgia juvenile facilities are considered among the best operated and best managed in the country, and this was echoed by the federal monitoring team that conducted the final inspections of the six facilities that were involved." Governor Perdue and Commissioner Murray announced the end of the MOA at a joint press conference on Monday, May 18. At the conference, Perdue praised Murray and the many DJJ staff members all over the state Direct care staffing, including juvenile correctional officers and counselors, has been dramatically increased in every DJJ facility. Staff training has been standardized and upgraded, and the agency's Office of Continuous Improvement monitors the system to ensure compliance and accountability. DJJ entered into the MOA on March 18, 1998 and immediately began working to come into compliance with the agreement. In 2004, DJJ was released from the education, investigations, and quality assurance portions of the agreement. Last October, monitors resumed final review Continued on page 12 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE REVENUE SHORTFALL DRIVES AGENDA The economic downturn has been the story for 2009, and it is having a profound effect on the state budget. For much of the fiscal year state agencies were dispositional hearing. Currently, DJJ provides victim notification for post-disposition youth, i.e. youth sentenced to secure-confinement for "violent delinquent acts" as forced to reduce spending while continuing to provide mis- defined by the code. Under the bill, for youth who are sion-critical services. This is particularly challenging for DJJ accused of committing a "violent delinquent act" but have due to federal requirements mandating the operation of not yet been adjudicated delinquent, the juvenile court safe and secure juvenile facilities. The good news is that intake officer must notify the victim at least 24 hours prior the Governor, along with legislative leadership, recognizes to release. For youth who have been adjudicated delin- the importance of operating a safe juvenile justice system. quent but are awaiting dispositional hearing for a "violent While DJJ was not delinquent act", the juvenile immune to the signifi- court intake officer must noti- cant cuts sustained by fy the victim at least 48 all state agencies, hours prior to release. The there were bright juvenile court intake officer spots that will allow must advise the victim of DJJ to manage these his/her right to be notified. In difficult times. order to receive notification, the victim must express a House Bill 245, the desire to be notified and pro- agency's primary leg- vide the intake officer with a islative agenda item, current address and primary was sponsored by telephone number. Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) Legislation that would pro- and was signed by DJJ Legislative Director Spiro Amburn talks with Commissioner vide a complete revision of Governor Perdue and Albert Murray at the Capitol in preparation for a hearing on HB 245. the juvenile code was also became effective April 21. This bill addresses the short-term introduced. Senate Bill 292, sponsored by Sen. Bill placement sentence for juveniles (STP) by changing it Hamrick (R-Carrollton), is the comprehensive legislation from a maximum of 60 days to a maximum of 30 days in developed by the "JUSTGeorgia" advocacy coalition after a Youth Development Campus (YDC). STP is one of many many years of research and feedback from stakeholder options available to juvenile court judges and will still be groups. Committee meetings will be held leading up to available with this change in the law. Judicial discretion is the 2010 legislative session. This will provide an opportu- preserved in terms of eligible offense categories, and DJJ nity for affected constituency groups, including DJJ, to must still provide a bed for all youth ordered to STP. This study the bill and provide comments. For more information bill allows judges to keep a short-term option and allows about SB 292 visit www.legis.ga.gov or www.justgeorgia.org. the state to reduce spending without jeopardizing public safety. Reducing the maximum number of days allowed DJJ to meet required budget cuts, which included the closure of a 60-bed YDC, while maintaining a constitutional House Bill 245 Facts juvenile justice system. A two-year sunset provision was placed on the bill by the General Assembly, meaning the HB 245 changes DJJ's Short Term Placement (STP) from a maximum of 60 days to a maximum change will expire June 30, 2011. Unless there is further of 30 days. legislative action, the 60-day maximum will be restored at that time. The shorter STP will save DJJ an estimated $7.3 million per fiscal year. Another bill affecting the juvenile justice system is Senate Bill 246 sponsored by Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville). SB 246 applies to pre-adjudication and pre-disposition youth who are accused of committing a "violent delinquent act" and who are released from detention pending their There is a two-year sunset provision. The 30day STP will expire on June 30, 2011. 2 /directions/ PROGRAMS AND SECURE CAMPUSES VOLUNTEERS HELP DJJ CONTINUE SERVICES W hen budget cuts affected the Think Exit at Entry program, DJJ's transition service for youths coming out of youth development campuses (YDCs), DJJ education staff partnered with community members to help fill the gap. Transition Board members attended the March meeting of the Board of Juvenile Justice, and Satterfield introduced them and brought the DJJ Board up to speed on the Office of Education's efforts to keep transition services in place. Recognizing that reintegrating young people into mainstream society after they have been in a YDC is an essential part of rehabilitation, DJJ moved to ensure a continuation of transitional services as vital DJJ programs were reviewed due to necessary budget reductions. When DJJ was forced to trim more than eight percent of its annual $350 million operating budget all functions of the agency were affected. However, losing DJJ's transitional services wasn't an option. The program began five years ago at the Eastman YDC and expanded to other YDCs. In that time, 650 youths have received services through the program. "This program has resulted in many of our former youth finding gainful employment, enrolling in post-secondary institutions, enlisting in the military, and receiving vocational training," said education administrator Coy Satterfield. "The fact that our education staff was able to reach out to people in the community who were willing to volunteer their time for this effort shows how good our staff is at maintaining relationships and also just how many people are committed to the well being of Georgia's youth," said DJJ Commissioner Albert Murray. The Transition Board Members are: Clara Delay, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Priscilla Kitt-Robinson, Atlanta Urban League; Lee May, DeKalb County Commission; Robert James, DeKalb County Solicitor's Office; Brian Miller, Georgia Department of Labor; Keith Sagers, DeKalb Technical College; Rory Edwards, Edwards Educational Consulting; and Phyllis Douglas, DeKalb County Juvenile Court. ENTREPRENEUR HIRES DJJ YOUTH DJJ will continue the program with 5 transition service staff members supported by the community. Three of them are in DJJ facilities, and two work Leon Goodrum addresses the DJJ Board. Leon Goodrum, CEO of Goodrum Enterprises, which owns and operates seven McDonalds restaurants in metro Atlanta, said he was unsure about hiring youths coming out of from the Central Office in DJJ's youth development campuses. Decatur. Transition services are too valuable to let the budget cuts put a stop to them, Satterfield said. As soon as it became clear that the program would be affected, education staff started looking for people in the community who could help provide When DJJ Employment Specialist Dr. Shirley Reams approached him, he said, he had to think about letting the youths work in his restaurants. He said he trusted transition services. Reams, whom he knew from her previous job as a mid- DJJ's Think Exit at Entry Program has two DJJ staff members in Central Office, Sukari Scott, a career facilitator, and Dr. Shirley Reams, an employment specialist. There is also an eight member advisory board composed of both public officials dle school principal, and he hired Jeremy Lee, a former DJJ youth, who enrolled at Morehouse College after receiving a high school diploma during a stay at the Bill E. Ireland YDC in Milledgeville. and private citizens who have agreed to help provide services, such as job readiness training, GED training, and assistance with school applications. The advisory board will help DJJ continue to provide excellent services to youth with a reduced fulltime staff. Goodrum said his misgivings were misplaced, and Lee was an excellent employee. Goodrum said he has since hired several other former DJJ youths to work in his restaurants, and that he would be willing to tell other McDonalds franchisees about hiring youth in the transi- "We are very lucky because we were able to reach out to a lot tion program. of great people who are willing to come to the table and donate their time and resources to help young people who need help coming back into mainstream society," Satterfield said. "This is a kid that's been brought back into the mainstream of life," Goodrum said. "That's a big deal." 3 /directions/ PROGRAMS AND SECURE CAMPUSES DJJ STAFF PARTICIPATE IN YOUTH SUMMIT The Office of Behavioral Health and the Office of Education participated in the Fourth Annual Youth Summit held March 9-13, 2009 at Callaway Gardens. This annual conference is co-sponsored by the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Education, Department of Human Resources, Southeast Addiction Technology and Transfer Center, and Georgia Council on Substance Abuse. The conference presents an opportunity for approximately 230 educators, mental health and substance abuse professionals, and support staff of the sponsoring agencies to come together and participate in educational events related to helping youth throughout the state. Statewide Coordinator for Substance Abuse Treatment Dr. Jody Tarleton and Assistant Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Services Miguel Fernandez helped with the planning for this year's conference and also gave presentations at the Summit. Dr. Diane Sherman and Student Support Services Director Coy Satterfield also gave presentations. Fernandez's presentation titled; "Cut to the Chase: Understanding Self-Harm," explored the internal dynamics of the youth who self-injures. Fernandez gave an overview of self-harm behaviors and offered tools to those who, in their professional capacity, encounter troubled teens with concerns related to self-harm and related risk behavior. Dr. Tarleton and Dr. Sherman presented, "Youth Impact: A Youth Offender Reentry Program." Using a recognized re-entry model, this federally funded program is designed to help youth succeed in the community after transitioning from a DJJ facility. Services offered through this grant include substance abuse counseling, job readiness, employment, and social service related supports. Coy Satterfield presented "Think Exit at Entry." This presentation explored the DJJ Student Transition Model. This model is designed to coordinate services to assist youth with academic achievement and life skills necessary for successful reintegration into public schools, the home and the community. FOOD SERVICE STAFF TRAIN IN FORSYTH DJJ held its annual food service training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth on April 24, 2009. Around 60 of DJJ's 200 food service workers attended the day long seminar, which focused on wellness and nutrition as well as the administrative aspects of running a food service program that serves three meals and two snacks to more than 2,500 youths every day, for a total of 3,000 calories. Special meals are prepared for youths with special dietary needs, and the overall menu reflects federal nutritional guidelines. Presenters included DJJ Chief Nutritionist Kathryn Jackson, as well as Nutritionist Joyce McKay. Consultants Paulette Williams, Judieth Hunt and Chandra Carty also gave presentations. DJJ Health Services Director Dr. Michelle Staples-Horne also addressed staff. She said that food service staff play an important role within facilities. "You are essential to health," Staples-Horne told staff. McKay encouraged staff to set a good example for youths by exercising and taking care of themselves. "We can't tell our students how important health is and connect it to the food we serve if we don't do something for ourselves," McKay said. Jackson said she was pleased with the way the conference went and Consultant Paulette WIlliams talks to DJJ food service the effort that DJJ's food service employees put into preparing and staff members about health and wellness in juveniles. serving nutritious meals for youths under the agency's care. "Our food service staff plays an integral role in keeping our facilities running smoothly," Jackson said. "There's a lot that goes into preparing and serving nutritious meals." 4 /directions/ STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS LaShonda Williams has been selected as assistant director at the Sumter Youth Development Campus (YDC). She has been with DJJ for nine years. She also has over ten years of experience in law enforcement with the Americus Police Department and nearly nine years of counseling services with the Sumter YDC. During the time at the Sumter YDC, she received certification of executive BJCOT training, and is certified as a general instructor, as a "Thinking for a Change" trainer, and as a sex offender counseling trainer. Williams has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Albany State University and a master's degree in justice administration from Columbus State University. Sam Clonts has been selected as deputy human resources director. Clonts will be responsible for the day-today operations of the Office of Human Resources. Clonts has been a state employee since 1984. He started with the State Merit System and has worked with the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Office of the Secretary of State. He has served in various roles with the Council for State Personnel Administration, including chair, and with the Metro Atlanta Chapter of IPMA, including president. He has a bachelor's degree in management from the University of West Georgia. Shondrena Hudson-Huley has been selected as personnel analysis section manager. Hudson-Huley will be responsible for the agency's recruitment, classification, and compensation functions, among other strategic HR areas. Hudson-Huley has over 14 years of human resources experience. Hudson-Huley came to DJJ from the Department of Driver Services and has previously worked in the private and non-profit sectors in personnel roles. She has been with the state for five years. She has bachelor's degrees in business administration and computer information systems and a master's degree in business administration from Strayer University. Tim Suddreth has been selected as district director for District 3A. Suddreth has worked in juvenile justice since 1977. He has worked 12 years in RYDCs, 11 years in a YDC, and 9 years in the community as JPM in Fulton, Douglas, and Paulding counties. His most recent position was as a District 1 JPM, assisting the district director with the oversight of the Paulding, Shaw, and Bob Richards RYDCs. Suddreth has a bachelor's degree in youth agency administration from Georgia State University. Donald "Terry" Isaac has been selected as juvenile program manager in the Paulding County CSI/HITS office. Isaac previously worked in Hall County as the HITS JPPS III. Prior to employment with DJJ, Isaac held positions of family reunification team leader/family worker, family reunification supervisor, and residential program manager with the Judson Center in Royal Oak, Michigan. Isaac holds a bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justice from Eastern Michigan University. Latoshia Black has been selected as assistant director of the Albany Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). Black has served as a correctional officer with the Department of Corrections and as a JPPS II with the Sumter YDC. Black's most recent position was in the Office of Training as staff development training coordinator II to Community Services and Intake staff in the Southwest and Southeast Regions. She has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Valdosta State University. BLUE AND ROWAN RETIRE WITH OVER THREE DECADES OF SERVICE Daphne Blue, program assis- Cathy Rowan, a JPPS II in the tant in the District 8 office, Barrow and Jackson counties retired in April after 32 years of Court Services Office, retired service to the state of Georgia. on February 27, 2009 with 34 Blue started her career in 1977 years of service to the state of at the Columbus Community Georgia. Rowan began her Treatment Center as a clerk career with DJJ in 1982 at the typist. She was employed there Athens RYDC as a youth for more than 16 years. In development worker. In 1992, 1994, Blue worked briefly for she moved to the Daphne Blue with District Director Ernest Baulkmon the Division of Family and Children Services, but returned to DJJ to work at the Columbus Barrow/Jackson CSO as a Cathy Rowan with Board Vice-Chairman Dr. Ed Risler JPPS II. In 2004, Rowan was named both DJJ's "Employee Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). Blue transferred of the Year" and "Case Manager of the Year" at the Child to the District 8 office in 2004. Placement Conference. 5 /directions/ STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS WEST RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS After a 35 year career with the Department of Juvenile Justice, Chris West, assistant deputy commissioner in the Division of Community Services and Intake retired at the end of May. West began his career with DJJ in 1974 as a juvenile correction- al officer at the Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). He has also served as a JPPS II, JPPS III, and JPM. In 1995, he was selected as the district director for district 3-A. In 2001, after a reorganization, he was named director of district 1 and had responsibility for managing DJJ community staff in 19 counties and facility staff in the Dalton, Rome and Paulding Chris West (center) with (left to right) Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom, Commissioner Albert Murray, Judge LeRoy RYDCs. In 2003, Region 1, and in West 2008 was appointed regional administrator for he was appointed assistant deputy com- Burke and DJJ Board Chairman Daniel Shuman missioner. BOARD NOTES MCGUIRE SPEAKS TO BJCOT CLASS 142 Department of Juvenile Justice Board Member Perry McGuire was the keynote speaker the DJJ Training Academy's Basic Juvenile Correctional Officer Training (BJCOT) graduation on Friday, April 24, 2009. McGuire spoke to a class of 37 graduates. Dan Roberts of the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) was the sole honor graduate, meaning he had an overall grade point average of 95 or higher. "The role you are going to be playing is a front line role not only in keeping our community safe, but also safeguarding our most precious resource; our children," McGuire told the graduates. McGuire said that JCOs must have a desire to help children, compassion, a positive attitude, a good work ethic, and integrity in order to succeed. He encouraged the graduates to think of working with children as a calling and DJJ Board Member Perry McGuire with BJCOT not just a job. honor graduate Dan Roberts BJCOT Honor Graduates "If you see this as only a way to make a living, then you will not be successful," he said. Class 140 Vincent Jones, Paulding RYDC Mel Mills, Crisp RYDC Welton Sanders, Metro RYDC Johnny Venable, Gainesville RYDC McGuire also encouraged the new JCOs to have a plan for the future and stay focused. He shared a personal story about how he was diagnosed with renal cell cancer nine years ago and how that experience changed his priorities and his perspective on life. McGuire said he got the news while in Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington D.C. McGuire said he was told that, if the cancer metastasized, he had a 20 percent chance of living five years. Being suddenly confronted with his own mortality, McGuire said, made him realize how important it is to do something worthwhile with your life. McGuire said that when looking back everyone has to ask themselves if they set a path of which they could be proud. "We all need to make sure that we are looking into the future," he said. McGuire closed by wishing the graduates well in their new positions. "It is my prayer and hope that you will make this your lifelong career," he said. 6 /directions/ COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE THE GREAT DEBATE REVISITED The Aspiring Youth Program Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia spent February instructing students at the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in the art of debate. Members of the committee came in on Saturdays to work with interested youths as part of Black History Month. The youths staged practice debates around questions such as whether athletes should be considered role models, or whether permits should be required for gun ownership. The youths' hard work culminated with a public debate on February, 24, 2009. The debate was a modern reworking of "The Great Debate" between Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois, who both advanced different theories of how the black community should advance socially. Washington was a proponent of vocational education, while DuBois was a vocal advocate for traditional higher education. The debate topic was, "Book Smart versus Street Smart: An academic education is the best way for minorities to achieve social and economic advancement." Two teams of three youths each debated the topic in front of an audience of their peers and a panel of judges, which included Deputy Commissioner of Administrative Services Amy Howell, who is president-elect of the Young Lawyers Division. Damon Elmore, past president; Elena Kaplan; past president, and Shiriki Cavett, co-chairman of the Young Lawyers Division's Community Service Committee, also served as judges. The team arguing for "street smarts" won the debate. DeKalb RYDC Associate Director Laura Scott-Gist and her sister, Janet C. Scott, who is a member of the Aspiring Youth Committee of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar came up with the idea for the debate. Scott-Gist said she and her sister wanted to teach the youth a way to resolve conflicts without violence. Other members of the Aspiring Youth Committee who donated their time to the project were LeRoya Jennings, Natalie Davis, Jennifer Grippa and Kia Ball. The event also included an address from local attorney and activist Mawuli Davis. DeKalb RYDC Director Edward Boyd said he was glad the young lawyers took time to work with the youths at the facility. "There's no doubt that these young men learned something, " Boyd said. SAVANNAH AND CLAXTON RYDC DIRECTORS WED RYDC Directors Shelia Dease and Rodney Dinkins tied the knot on February 21, 2009. Shelia is director at the Claxton Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) and Rodney is the director of the Savannah RYDC. Commissioner Albert Murray and wife Connie, Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom, Office of Continuous Improvement Director Shirley Turner, Regional Administrator Adam Kennedy, District 9 Director Jeffery Alligood, District 12 Director Patricia Merritt and Program Coordinator Sonya Love were among the many family and friends who attended the ceremony at Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers. Church Pastor Eric Lee presided. Shelia was promoted to director at Claxton in September 2007. Rodney Bride and groom, Shelia Dease and Rodney Dinkins, was promoted to director at Savannah RYDC in May of 2007 after servstand with Commissioner Albert Murray and his wife ing in the same capacity at Claxton. The couple met during Facility Based Connie. Training in January 2001. 7 /directions/ COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE DJJ OBSERVES VICTIMS' RIGHTS WEEK DJJ staff all over the state took time during the last week in April to show their support for victims of juvenile crime. National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which was April 26-May 2, is an annual observance to promote victims' rights and honor victims of crime and those who advocate for them. DJJ staff took time out from their busy schedules to volunteer for many activities. In Cherokee County, staff from the Division of Community Services and Intake (CSI) partnered with employees from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) of the Department of Human Resources to serve lunch at a domestic violence shelter. Employees at the Cobb County CSI Office and the Marietta Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) sent gift baskets to victim services agencies. The Fulton County Multi-Service Center (MSC) worked with youth to write letters of apology to the victims of their crimes, and also had a victim advocate come speak to staff. The Elbert Shaw Jr. RYDC in Dalton held a candlelight vigil. BARJ Coordinator Tyrone Graham with Tracy Cassell, Douglas County JPM In Warner Robins, DJJ staff collaborated with the Houston Drug and Action Council (Hodac) as part of The Shoe Project. Together, staff from both organizations collected shoes, which were used as part of a traveling art installation that was used to raise awareness of the presence of crime victims in the community. DJJ Victim Advocate Joycelyn Evans said she was pleased to see staff taking such an active role in Victims' Rights Week activities. Staff from the Douglas County Court Services Office with Governor Sonny Perdue at a Victims' Rights Week legislation signing "It's very gratifying to see so many staff members eager to get involved in Victims' Rights Week," Evans said. "Serving the victims of juvenile crime is an integral part of the agency's mission." Willie Mitchell JPPS III of the Muscogee County MSC High Intensity Supervision team talks to youths at the South Columbus Boys & Girls Club. In addition to the victim advocate, DJJ has four balanced and restorative justice (BARJ) coordinators who work to oversee the department's BARJ efforts. BARJ is an approach to juvenile justice which recognizes that corrections is not only about holding offenders responsible for their actions, but also offering victims and the community a chance to heal. The goal of BARJ is the reconciliation of all parties. 8 /directions/ COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF YOUTH IS THE FIRST TO EARN A DIPLOMA FROM AN RYDC Last year, youths in DJJ's long-term youth development campuses earned 28 high school diplomas and 114 GEDs. Up until May, however, there had never been a diploma handed out at one of the agency's regional youth detention centers, where pre-adjudicated youth are housed. That changed when Robert Harris, a youth at the Metro RYDC in Atlanta received his high school diploma at a graduation ceremony for a class of one. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington was the commencement speaker. He spoke about how education changed his life. Arrington said he was once an "inner city thug," who had a bleak future until a teacher pulled him aside and challenged him to get his life together. Arrington said that, until that point, he had not planned to finish high school, but he took the teacher's challenge seriously. "I wanted to achieve," Arrington said. "I wanted to be somebody." Arrington, an Atlanta native and graduate of Emory University Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington puts Law School, told Harris and the other youths present at the his arm around Robert Harris. graduation that if he could be successful, so could they. "I'M EXCITED AND HUMBLED TO "Don't let nobody tell you, you can't make it," he said. BE THE FIRST HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE OF THE METRO Harris delivered his own speech, thanking the staff of the facility for taking the time and effort to help him graduate. REGIONAL YOUTH DETENTION C ."- ENTER ROBERT HARRIS "I'm excited and humbled to be the first high school graduate of the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center." Harris said that instead of feeling sorry for himself because of his situation, he decided to make the best of his time at the RYDC and dedicate himself to his studies. Harris said he would like to pursue a degree in accounting and has been accepted to Georgia Military College. "It's not all about being a goon or a gangster," Harris said. "You can go to school and make something of yourself." Commissioner Albert Murray attended the graduation and personally presented Harris with his diploma. "One of the joys of my tenure as commissioner is attending graduations around the state," Murray said. Commissioner Murray said he firmly believes that education is the most important part of the rehabilitation process, and that DJJ's education staff have much to be proud of, both in the RYDCs and YDCs, which all have accredited schools where youths receive 330 minutes of instruction each day. Commissioner Murray said that even though he had attended many graduations, Harris' graduation would stand out in his mind because of his unique achievement. "I know you will remember this day in a very special way," Murray said. "And we will remember you." 9 /directions/ CUSTOMER SERVICE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS A TEAM EFFORT Kinsey Solomon, assistant director at the Marietta RYDC and Curtis Davison, lead teacher, were honored at the March Board of Juvenile Justice meeting as DJJ's 2008 customer service employees of the year. Solomon and Davison were selected from among 24 entries agency-wide. "All of our nominees were worthy," said DJJ Customer Service Champion Steve Hayes. "The customer service committee had a tough decision to make this year." The two were nominated through DJJ's employee recognition program for helping a detained youth get a final Carnegie Unit so she could graduate high school. Special security considerations were made and the youth was able to spend additional time in Davison's class in order to complete her necessary assignments. It was an example of Solomon and Davison determining that the word "can't" didn't apply in this situation. (L to R): Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom, Marietta Asst. Dir. Kinsey Solomon thanked additional staff at the Solomon, Chairman Daniel Shuman, Marietta Assoc. Dir. Laticia Butts, Curtis Davison, Commissioner Albert Murray and Marietta RYDC Director James Brown facility calling it a collaborative effort. Davison addressed the board and said, "When we receive success at the Marietta RYDC, it is always, always the result of teamwork." He added, "It's an honor and a privilege to serve the youth from the state of Georgia and for a professional educator there's simply no greater reward than helping a child achieve to his or her maximum potential." Two other DJJ staff were recognized with quarterly customer service certificates. Julie Spriggs, JPPS III with the Houston County Court Services Office was honored for assisting the hearing impaired parent of a youth to understand DJJ's processes. Spriggs worked to obtain translation services for the youth's parent. Spriggs stated she was humbled and shocked by the recognition because as she stated, "This is what we're supposed to do." Janssen Robinson, training specialist with the Office of Training in Central Office was recognized for assisting with projects outside of his regular job responsibilities and tak- ing those projects on as his own. Robinson has been with DJJ for five years, and he was select- ed as "Team Player of the Year" by his colleagues Janssen Robinson with Chairman Daniel Shuman, Di r e c t o r o f Tr a i n i n g F a b i e n n e Ta t e a n d in the Office of Training. Commissioner Albert Murray Robinson said, "It's a great joy to come in everyday and to do what I do. If there's a need and I can help with that need, then I enjoy that. I'm very passionate about that." Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom, DJJ awards quarterly certificates and an overall annual winner is selected. Chairman Shuman, Houston County JPM Pansy The annual recipient is able to select a training conference to attend and Bryant, Julie Spriggs and Commissioner Murray have lunch with the commissioner. All DJJ customer service recipients are recognized at DJJ board meetings. 10 /directions/ CUSTOMER SERVICE DJJ STAFF RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE Commissioner Albert Murray with staff from the Eastman Commissioner Murray with staff from the Elbert Shaw RYDC RYDC In May, two DJJ teams were recognized with Governor's Commendations for Excellence in Customer Service and three DJJ staff received individual excellence in customer service commendations. The Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC), recently cited in the MOA verification report as a model facility, was recognized by the Governor's Office of Customer Service with a team commendation for excellence in customer service. Director Bobby Hughes accepted the honor and it was shared by several members of his valuable staff. Another team award went to the Eastman RYDC. Director Debbie Morris and staff accepted the certificate at the May 28th ceremony. An individual award went to Jacqueline Brown, administrative assistant to Augusta Youth Development Campus (YDC) Director John Brady. Tameka Hill, juvenile probation officer at the Fulton Multi-Service Center and Julie Spriggs, juvenile probation/parole specialist III at the Houston County Court Services Office, each won individual awards. Jacqueline Brown's nomination cited her success as the facility's charitable contributions coordinator. The Augusta YDC raised more than $8,000 for the state campaign for 2008. Tameka Hill was cited for going above and beyond her regular duties by assisting a youth with medical issues during placement and Julie Spriggs assisted a hearing impaired family of a youth on her caseload. Each team award nomination discussed specific cases of providing extraordinary customer service. Jacqueline Brown (third from left) with Deputy Commissioner Steve Herndon, Augusta YDC Director John Brady and Commissioner Albert Murray and Augusta YDC staff JPPS II Tameka HIll (second from left) with Commissioner Murray, Georgia's Chief Operating Officer Jim Lientz (right), and staff from the Fulton County MSC 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. MOA CLOSEOUT CONTINUED from page 1 "WE'RE NOT STOPPING HERE" for the mental health, medical, and protection from harm portions of the MOA. For the final inspection, the independent monitors visited the Elbert Shaw Jr. Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Dalton, the Macon RYDC, the Blakely RYDC, the Albany RYDC, the Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC), and the Sumter YDC. Four of the facilities were randomly chosen. Commissioner Murray made closing out the longstanding MOA a priority, which led to a modified Memorandum of Agreement being signed in 2008. The modified MOA called for final inspections of DJJ facilities. Those inspections were done by year's end. Independent monitors ensured the facilities and programs were in substantial compliance. The lead independent monitor, Dr. David Roush, wrote in the final report that he has seen substantial improvement in many programs during his 10-year involvement with DJJ. "I've seen a range of program improvements," Roush said. Roush singled out DJJ's Office of Health Services and Office of Behavioral Health Commissioner Albert Murray addresses the media. Services, which he wrote are used as models for juvenile justice systems nation- wide. "While we've received the full stamp of approval from the monitor, we're not stopping here," Governor Perdue said. "This is a day by day, week by week, month by month job, that these folks will not give up on." Commissioner Murray added, "We're committed at DJJ to continue the excellence and assure that we maintain the high level of operating efficiency that we've been able to establish. The state of Georgia has sent a strong message to the citizens of our state, and to the nation for that matter, that Georgia invests in our children, all of our children, that we also hold our youth accountable for their actions." 12 /directions/