Directions D A publication of the Georgia epartment of Juvenile Justice Volume XV, Issue No. 3 Fall 2009 HONORING A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT Commissioner Albert Murray Receives the E.R. Cass Award It is the highest honor in corrections and each year it belongs to two recipients. In 2009 one of those is Georgia's Juvenile Justice Commissioner, Albert Murray. Vernon Keenan and parole board member James Donald. Members of the Georgia Board of Juvenile Justice also attended as did many of Murray's friends and family. The E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award was presented to Albert Murray and Thomas Stickrath at the American Correctional Association's 139th Congress of Correction in Nashville, Tennessee on August 11, 2009. Murray is the longest serving commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. He was appointed to the position in January 2004 by Governor Sonny Perdue. Stickrath is Ohio's Director of the Department of Youth Services. American Correctional Association (ACA) Executive Director James Gondles called Stickrath and Murray, "giants in the juvenile corrections field," and said they, "have raised the level of professionalism for all of us in corrections." Commissioner Albert Murray accepts the E.R. Cass Award at the American Correctional Association Congress of Corrections. (Photo Courtesy of Paul J Hughes Photography) For Murray, it was a coming home party. He began his stellar career in juvenile justice and youth services in Tennessee, where he worked tirelessly to help youths turn their lives around and ultimately rose to the level of assistant commissioner before being appointed the first commissioner of the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority. He continues his great work here in Georgia. Among his many accomplishments mentioned at the ceremony were his efforts to remove Georgia from the Federal Memorandum of Agreement, which came to fruition earlier this year, and his work to ensure ACA accreditation of juvenile facilit i e s i n Te n n e s s e e a n d Kansas. "They epitomize the best there is in our profession," said ACA President Harold Clarke. Corrections professionals from both adult and juvenile systems attended the awards ceremony during the conference. Murray was surrounded by current and former colleagues. Attending to see Murray receive the award from Georgia were Governor Perdue's Chief Operating Officer Jim Lientz, Corrections Commissioner Brian Owens, Commissioner B.J. Walker of the Department of Human Services, GBI Director Murray was humbled by the award and credited former men- tors and family who helped mold him into a leader. "I accept this award on behalf of the thousands of youthful offenders in Georgia, Kansas, and Tennessee, who have depended on my leadership to get them through a really tough time in their lives and to help them transition into adulthood as responsible cit- izens. I accept this award on behalf of all of my many colleagues who now run, or have run a state system," stated Murray in his speech. continued on back cover AGENCY EVENTS DJJ MARKS THE END OF THE MOA The dismissal of the 11-year-old Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the United States Department of Justice and the Department of Juvenile Justice on May 5, 2009 was a milestone for the agency. After working diligently for over a decade to bring DJJ into compliance, staff paused and reflected on how far they had come and also looked to the future at an MOA Recognition and Training event, held Friday, July 10, 2009 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. Three hundred and fifty DJJ staff and board members attended the event. The day featured comments from Commissioner Albert Murray and other executive staff as well as Jim Lientz, Georgia's chief operating officer and Jeremy Lee, a former DJJ youth now enrolled at Morehouse College. "I am living testimony that the work you do is not in vain," Lee told the audience when he took the podium. Lee said he had come into the system feeling hopeless and discouraged, like his life was over, but DJJ employees helped him realize he still had a future. "To me, everything made a difference," Lee said. The keynote speaker was Charles Kehoe, Commissioner Murray addresses DJJ staff at the MOA Recognition and Training Ceremony. the first director of the Virginia Department of Youth and Family Services (now the Virginia DJJ). Kehoe has served as an expert witness and consultant to state agencies that were defendants in Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA) cases. Kehoe praised Commissioner Murray and the other employees of the agency for their diligence and effort in working to improve conditions for youth who are in DJJ's care. "Not only have you changed the entire juvenile justice system in this wonderful state," Kehoe said, "but you have turned it into a model for others to follow." Kehoe, who has over 40 years of experience in corrections, said he knew that the MOA process could be a drawn out, frustrating experience, but ultimately the payoff was worth it. (Left to right): DJJ Board Vice-Chairman Dr. Ed Risler, Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom, consultant Charles Kehoe and Commissioner Albert Murray at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth "I cannot think of one case where an agency came out worse after having gone through an MOA," Kehoe said. He further urged staff to recommit themselves to excellence. "Commissioners 2 /directions/ AGENCY EVENTS E A R MPLOYEE CHIEVEMENT ECOGNIZED CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE and directors will come and go," he said, "but it is the line staff and middle managers who will carry forward the commitment to operating safe, secure facilities." Staff from all of DJJ's 29 facilities were present and were recognized for their efforts in improving the conditions of confinement for youth. The Elbert Shaw Jr. Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC), the Blakely RYDC, the Macon RYDC, the Albany RYDC, the Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC), and the Sumter YDC were all singled out for special recognition because they were the sites where the final MOA inspections occurred. (Left to right): Commissioner Albert Murray, Macon YDC Director Debbie Blasingame, DJJ Board Chairman Daniel Shuman and Deputy Commissioner Steve Herndon 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 dedicated to medical and mental health care and has greatly increased youths' access to both services. 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. (Left to right): Commissioner Albert Murray, DJJ Board Chairman Daniel Shuman, Elbert Shaw RYDC Director Bobby Hughes, Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom and Deputy Commissioner Steve Herndon 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 for the mental health, medical, and protection from harm portions of the MOA. 3 /directions/ BOARD NOTES BOARD OFFICERS UNANIMOUSLY REELECTED J. Daniel Shuman was unanimously reelected as chairman of the Board of Juvenile Justice at the board's July meeting. Shuman was appointed acting chairman in 2003 and was elected to his first fullterm as chairman in 2005. Shuman retired from DJJ after 34 years of service. He represents the 12th Congressional District. J. Daniel Shuman Dr. Edwin Risler was unanimously reelected as vice-chairman. Risler is an associate professor at the University of Georgia School of Social Work. Dr. Risler has over 20 years of experience working for DJJ. He was appointed to the board in 2001 and reappointed in 2007. He was first elected vice-chairman in 2007. He has also served as secretary of the board. He represents the 10th Congressional District. Dr. Ed Risler Daniel Menefee Daniel Menefee was unanimously reelected as board secretary. Menefee, an at-large board member, was appointed to the board in 2003. He was first elected secretary in 2007. He owns and operates The Menefee Insurance Group in Columbus. He also serves on the boards of the Boy Scouts of America, the Boys and Girls Club of Columbus and is chairman of Operation Drug Free Georgia. STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS THREE COMPLETE ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM Three employees from DJJ Central Office were among 30 graduates of the state's rigorous Administrative Professionals Development Program (APDP) in June. Executive Assistant to the Commissioner Mattie training in human relations and leadership skills. The ultimate goals of the program are to increase accuracy, efficiency, awareness and responsibility toward attaining state agencies' goals; improve written and oral communication skills; and improve decision-making and problem solving skills. "The program was demanding, but I know that it helped me grow and expand my skill set," Robinson, Secretary III in said Robinson. the Office of Health Services, Andrea Raphael-Osuanya, and Administrative Operations Coordinator II (AOC II) in the Office of Behavioral Health, Towanda Cuthbert all received their graduation certificates at a ceremony on June 30, 2009 at the Capitol. The 18 month long work study program is one more way in which state employees are working to The State Personnel Administration Georgia Leadership Institute and Enterprise Learning (formerly the Training and Organization Development) Division started the APDP in 1987 with the intent of providing comprehensive training for the state's support staff, who are vital to the efficient functioning of state government services. meet Governor Sonny Perdue's goal of making "It is easy to take our adminis- Georgia the best managed trative professionals for grant- state in the nation. Graduates had to complete in-office training, as well as (Left to right): Secretary III Andrea Raphael-Osuanya, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner Mattie Robinson and Administrative Operations Coordinator II Towanda Cuthbert ed," said Commissioner Albert Murray, "but without them it would be difficult to conduct our day to day business." 4 /directions/ STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS Tara Fields has been selected as assistant director of the Blakely Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). Fields has eight years experience with DJJ, all at Blakely. She has served as a JCO I, JCO II, and Lieutenant. In her capacity as onsite training coordinator, she completed the DJJ Instructor Course and has assisted the Office of Training with annual inservice instruction for security staff in District 10. Octavia Bright has been selected as JPPS III in the Cobb County High Intensity Team Supervision (HITS) program. Bright has four years of experience with DJJ, and she has worked in the Coweta HITS program and the Douglas County Court Services Office as a JPPS II. While at the Douglas CSO, Bright became involved in the Restoring Fathers Program, the Youth Against Violence Program, and participated in the Gang Prevention and Mobilization Call to Action Forum at Morehouse College. She has a bachelor's degree in human services from the University of Connecticut and an associate's degree in accounting from Chattahoochee Technical College. Courtney Maddox has been selected as assistant director at the Martha K. Glaze Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC). Maddox has twelve years of experience with DJJ. She has served as a facility trainer, facility based investigator, disciplinary hearing officer, facility policy coordinator, correctional officer, sergeant, secretary II & III, and senior instructor. Maddox has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University and is currently studying for her MBA with a specialization in criminal justice at the same institution. JOYCE MCKAY RETIRES AFTER 10 YEARS OF SERVICE Joyce McKay, nutrition consultant in DJJ Central Office, retired on May 29, 2009, with ten years of service to the state of Georgia. McKay started part-time with the department in 1999 and became a full-time employee in 2003. (Left to right): Administrative Operations Coordinator Joi Bryant and Joyce McKay at McKay's retirement reception McKay worked monitoring food service in DJJ facilities, coaching and training field staff in food safety and sanitation standards, and assisting Chief Nutritionist Kathryn Jackson with operating the department's food service and nutrition program. She traveled frequently, visiting DJJ facilities and played a key role in putting on DJJ's annual food service training conference. MARY NELL PIERCE RETIRES AFTER 23 YEARS OF STATE SERVICE Mary Nell Pierce retired August 31, 2009 after 23 years of service to the state of Georgia. She started her career at the Department of Human Resources in 1985. In 1999, she transferred to DJJ. Pierce worked in the Office of Human Resources, where she served as a personnel analyst II and later as a personnel analyst III. Her work dealt with employee relations and dispute resolution. She investigated claims of unlawful discrimination or harassment made by agency employees. In addition, she served as a mediator for other state agencies at the request of the State Personnel Administration. 5 /directions/ Mary Nell Pierce with Commissioner Albert Murray CONFERENCES MURRAY AND ROSENBLOOM FACILITATE ACA WORKSHOP An ounce of prevention can go a long way and that certainly applies when it comes to having good juvenile justice policies and practices. Commissioner Albert Murray and Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom were asked to facilitate a workshop at the American Correctional Association Conference in Nashville in August. "CRIPA: Don't Get Caught with Your Policies and Practices Down," was a workshop for ACA attendees designed to help them avoid violations of the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA). Also on the panel was Charles Kehoe, longtime ACA contributor and new director of the Maryland County Youth Detention Center. The moderator was Dennis Waite of Waite Consulting, Richmond, Virginia. The workshop focused on how juvenile detention and correctional facilities find themselves being investigated and then sued by the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division for violations of CRIPA and how to avoid that action and result. Murray and Rosenbloom covered DJJ's Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) history including the joint dismissal of the MOA on May 5, 2009 after 11 years of oversight of Georgia's juvenile justice system. The panel covered the tremendous resources it takes to meet requirements mandated by the DOJ in these cases and the fact that often the issues that result in investigations are known to the offending agency prior to federal intervention. While acknowledging many improvements have come from the MOA, both Murray and Rosenbloom made it clear corrections administrators don't want a system being taken over. Murray said it's good to finally not have the Department of Justice, "looking over our shoulder." DJJ's budget has been tied to clearing the MOA for many years. Additionally, Rosenbloom commented that federal oversight may result in low morale among staff and poor perform- ance if not addressed and he said there is "loss of credibility for your agency." Operating a constitutional system, addressing concerns early, and enforcing good policy are the keys to avoiding problems. Tremendous crowding was one of the main issues with DJJ in 1998. Rosenbloom, who joined the agency in 1999, said one of his first visits to a detention center included opening the door to a room designed for one youth but holding four. When the door opened, Rosenbloom said, all four were fighting. He said the incident made him realize how much work needed to be done. In addition to avoiding CRIPA, the discussion covered information including how to not make matters worse and compliance. Several of the audience members actually worked in various capacities with the federal government and offered insight during the lively discussion. The workshop will be repeated at the ACA's upcoming winter conference in Tampa, Florida in 2010. NABCJ HIGHLIGHTS BUDGET PROBLEMS FOR AGENCIES Commissioner Albert Murray joined colleagues in dis- DJJ has been able to maintain services to youth while pro- cussing how state agencies are handling the budget crisis viding safety for the communities despite $47 million in cuts as he spoke at the National Association of Blacks in Criminal last fiscal year. Another round of cuts this fiscal year will be Justice (NABCJ) conference in very difficult to manage, but July. Murray was a member of a Murray told the audience panel discussing details of man- that his agency, like all oth- aging employees and correction- ers, will find ways to contin- al programs with budget con- ue to provide necessary straints. The forum was titled; services and meet constitu- "Priorities and Challenges in tional mandates required for Corrections During Times of facilities. Budgetary Crisis." The 36th Annual Murray, along with Massachusetts Conference and Training Department of Corrections Institute of NABCJ was held Commissioner Harold Clarke and in Little Rock, Arkansas. O k l a h o m a D e pa r t m e n t o f (Left to right): NABCJ President Robert Matthews, actor The conference in 2010 will Corrections Director Justin Jones Charles S. Dutton and Commissioner Albert Murray be hosted by Georgia in made up the panel. Atlanta. 6 /directions/ PROGRAMS AND SECURE CAMPUSES YDCS END SCHOOL YEAR WITH GRADUATIONS In May, two youths at the Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC) earned their high school diplomas, and another two earned Graduate Equivalency Degrees (GEDs). A graduation ceremony was held to honor their accomplishments on May 27, 2009. Breunna Stewart and MeShanna Douglas received their diplomas from Commissioner Albert Murray during the ceremony at the facility. The commencement speaker was Sylvia Simpson, program manager for the Department of Correctional Programs at Middle Georgia Technical College. Stewart said her dream is to play basketball for the University of Tennessee. She is taking business and technology courses at Central Georgia Technical College. The Macon YDC is DJJ's only long-term facility for females. It has a capacity of 150 beds. And while summer means the end of graduations for most Georgia school systems, DJJ schools continue to hand out diplomas even through the hottest months. Commissioner Albert Murray presents Breunna Stewart with her diploma at the Macon YDC graduation ceremony. Four students at the Eastman YDC earned their high school diplomas, seven earned their GEDs, and 16 students received technical certificates from Heart of Georgia Technical College at a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 31, 2009. State Senator Ross Tolleson from District 21 was the commencement speaker. The Eastman graduation was the final graduation of the 2008-2009 school year. This school year, DJJ youth have earned 32 high school diplomas and 116 GEDs. Fortyfive youths completed the course requirement for a technical certificate of credit. "This school year has seen a record number of DJJ youth receive a GED or high school diploma," said Juvenile Justice Commissioner Albert Murray. "While holding youth accountable for their delinquent behavior, DJJ is firmly committed to providing these youth with skills that will provide opportunities for them once they return to their communities." The Eastman YDC, which has 330 beds, primarily houses youth between the ages of 17 and 20. State Senator Ross Tolleson addresses graduates at the Eastman YDC. 7 /directions/ COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE EASTMAN RYDC COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION SCORE SETS RECORD "It's a team effort."- Director Debbie Morris, Eastman RYDC At their latest comprehensive evaluation by the Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI), the staff at the Eastman Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) set a precedent. every two years. In between the comprehensive inspections, there are unannounced inspections, which are not as broad in scope and generally target areas found to need improvement during the comprehensive evaluations. Out of the 193 standards the evaluators looked at during their biannual inspection, the Eastman RYDC only missed one. This is the first time that a facility has come so close to a perfect score on a comprehensive evaluation, said Shirley Turner, director of the Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI). "Ms. Morris and her staff maintain an environment of high expectations, and the results of their comprehensive evaluation serves as evidence of this," Turner said. Jackie Dixon, the program coordi- nator for the southern half of the state, led the two and one-half day evaluation. He said the facil- ity has been making a "pro- gression toward excellence" over the years. He said that the facility missed 25 Jackie Morris Administrative Operations Coordinator I standards during its 2005 comprehensive evalua- tion, and only three standards during its 2007 evaluation. "You could see a lot of difference," he said. Dixon attributed the 30-bed facility's unprecedented evaluation results to good management and a staff that has been in place for some time. "The staff at the facility showed a real predisposition to working with youth to help ensure a harmonious environment," Dixon said. The Department of Juvenile Justice formed the Office of Continuous Improvement in 1998. Its mission is to determine the level of performance and the quality of services provided in DJJ facilities and programs. Every DJJ facility undergoes a comprehensive inspection Eastman RYDC Director Debbie Morris said she and her staff of 55 full-time and 10 part-time employees worked very hard in the months leading up to the evalua- tion to polish and fine tune the facility's work- ings to make sure they met standards. Morris said she and the staff all wanted to do Marsha Graham Food Service Supervisor well on the evaluation, having only missed three standards on the previous inspection. "It's a team effort," Morris said. "There is no one person here who can make that happen." Morris, who has been director at the facility for nine years and has worked there since it opened in 1979, said staff work hard to have a good relationship with the youth in their Ann Bohannon Juvenile Correctional Officer II care, working to keep them engaged and busy throughout the day so they don't have the time to get into trouble. Morris said the facility's unofficial motto is, "We can't make a differ- ence in their (youths) lives if we don't make a difference in their day." 8 /directions/ COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE SERVING YOUTH IN ROCKDALE COUNTY IS A COMMUNITY EFFORT Commissioner Albert Murray spoke about community, collaboration and cooperation as his comments were the highlight of open house events at the Rockdale County Court Services Office (CSO) on September 16, 2009. The commissioner's remarks drew comparisons between the advances the agency has made in the last decade to the increased services being offered at-risk youth in Rockdale County. Commissioner Murray ceremonially cut the ribbon on the new Rockdale Court Services Office located in the J.P. Carr Center in Conyers. Despite the state of the economy and budget cutbacks, Murray said, "The citizens of Rockdale County, the families and the youth, using the center and DJJ services, are getting their money's worth." The new complex houses many related services including the local public health office, Veterans Administration and the county office of the Division of Family and Children Services. DJJ Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom praised Juvenile Court Judge William Schneider for being an advocate for community services for youth offenders. Judge Schneider stated his court has emphasized detention alternatives and has provided other Commissioner Albert Murray cuts the ribbon at the new Rockdale County Court services to include an evening reporting Services Office. center. Schneider noted that Rockdale County was served by just two DJJ probation officers in 1987. Today, DJJ has committed nine to the office. Juvenile Program Manager (JPM) Michael Benjamin says the Rockdale CSO now serves more than 300 families. Rockdale is a dependent court, meaning DJJ provides services for intake and probation and supervises committed youth. Other services offered through the office include Multi Systemic Therapy (MST). MST is a family based treatment model. DJJ staff work with the entire family unit in that environment to resolve issues that lead to delinquency and other poor behaviors. Another program is High Intensity Team Supervision (HITS), which includes electronic monitoring services, random drug screens and other services. Other community partners working with the Rockdale CSO include Family Wraparound (formerly KIDSNET) and the Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families. TWO YOUTHS GRADUATE IN RYDCS Chase Ryan Alger became the second youth in the agency's history to earn a high school diploma while in a short-term facility on August 20, 2009. Alger, from Valdosta, donned a cap and gown and received his diploma from Director of Education Dr. Jack Catrett at the Thomas Jefferson Loftiss II Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Thomasville. Alger, who turned 17 shortly after his graduation, came into the facility lacking only a few credits needed to earn his diploma. "He really decided to buckle down and do what needed to be done to graduate," said Loftiss Lead Teacher Victoria Nix, "and our staff here was very eager to help. It's always gratifying to see a young person succeed." continued on next page Dr. Jack Catrett 9 /directions/ with high school graduate Chase Ryan Alger COMMUNITY SERVICES AND INTAKE RYDC GRADUATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 Eddie Alvarez earned his high school diploma while in the Paulding RYDC. Alvarez's diploma came from the Cherokee County School System and not the department because he completed the majority of his graduation requirements outside the facility, and his school agreed to issue the diploma. He received his diploma on September 10, 2009 during a graduation ceremony at the facility. Alvarez's parents and grandparents attended the ceremony. Assistant Deputy Commissioner Diana Newell and Student Support Services Director Coy Satterfield both spoke at the graduation, as did Regional Principal Dr. Rufus Johnson, John Allen, regional vice-president of Youth Services International, and Paulding RYDC Principal James Henson. Lisa Pelletier with the Cherokee County District Attorney's Office and Tim Croft with Breakfree Ministries also spoke. "This was a special day for Paulding RYDC," said Paulding RYDC Director Beverly Westbrooks. "We were pleased to have been in a position to help him finish up his graduation requirements." CUSTOMER SERVICE JACKSON RECEIVES CUSTOMER SERVICE COMMENDATION Corinne Jackson, a juvenile probation and parole specialist II Jackson said she loves her job, and her co-workers. (JPPS II), in the Carroll County Court Services Office received a commendation from the Governor's Office of Customer Service at the "I love our office," she said. "I would say we have the best office in the state of Georgia." September 2009 meeting of the Board of Juvenile Justice. The best part of her job, she said, is knowing she has the power Jackson has worked as a JPPS II in Carroll County for three years. She has completed sex offender training and handles the cases of juvenile sex offenders in the county. She was honored for her diligent efforts to build relationships in the community and for the concern and compassion she has shown for the youth under her care. In 2008, in collaboration with others in the Carroll CSO, Jackson helped secure donations from local businesses to help put on events for youth. to change the course of a young person's life. As an example, she talked about a youth she worked with who was about to age out of the system, but did not seem to be making any progress. She said she got him involved in JROTC, which led him to a summer camp at Mercer University. Kevin Gecowets from the Governor's Office of Customer Service presents JPPS II Corinne Jackson with her commendation at the September meeting of the Board of Juvenile Justice. Later, he visited the office and told her that he was hoping to attend Valdosta State University on an ROTC scholarship. District Director Wade Moore said that Jackson is dedicated, passionate, and has a sense of humor. "Corinne is an outstanding worker and has all the attributes you look for in a JPPS," he said. Jackson is not the first employee of the Carroll County CSO to be recognized for customer service excellence. Last year, Lorie Gann, a program assistant in the Carroll County CSO, won a Governor's Award for Individual Excellence in Customer Service. 10 /directions/ CUSTOMER SERVICE SMITH RECOGNIZED FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE EXCELLENCE Whether he's "Smitty" or "The Man," Clyde Smith is a difference maker. For 30 years the Juvenile Probation and Parole Specialist III (JPPS III) has been helping not only turn kids around, but he's also mentored the parents of youth under his supervision. His success was recognized on a statewide basis September 28, 2009, at the ceremony announcing the Governor's Third Annual Customer Service Awards. Smith was recognized as one of only four state employees for "Individual Customer Service Excellence." Governor Sonny Perdue present- ed the awards and congratulated Smith. Smith's nomination included details about how he's worked with not only the youth under his super- vision but has also reached out to the parents. Keely Haynie, a colleague of Smith's at the Fayette County Court Services Office, wrote in Governor Sonny Perdue presents JPPS III Clyde "Smitty" Smith with his her nomination of Smith: award for Individual Customer Service Excellence at a ceremony on September 28, 2009. "I have witnessed divorced parents and their child come in, with the parents obviously not united in their parenting.... When they left there were tears streaming down their faces and I witnessed the parents hug in the parking lot before getting in separate cars. There are often hugs and tears after a meeting with Mr. Smith." The nomination also highlighted Smith's willingness and efforts to work with families in order to keep a child from entering the juvenile justice system. Haynie said Smith meets with these families to have "pre-intervention" meetings and said she's yet to see one child in these cases enter the system. Smith's reputation is such that he's often asked to meet with families on his own time. Smith called the award, "the highest honor I could ever receive working for DJJ and the state. I always believed that the works I do will speak for me. I'm just an ordinary guy blessed to do an extraordinary job, working with our kids." Experience, understanding, and compassion are the terms used to describe "Smitty," as he's known to his co-workers. His intimidating presence has labeled him as "The Man" to his clients. Commissioner Albert Murray said Smith's record of service, "demonstrates that working in juvenile justice is not just a job, but a calling." Commissioner Albert Murray was also honored as one of three finalists for the Outstanding Customer (Left to right): Commissioner Albert Murray, Keely Haynie, Fayette County Service Leadership Award. The award went to CSO, and Clyde Smith at the Governor's Customer Service Awards Colonel Bill Hitchens, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. 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: Steve Hayes Nathan Cain 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. C C ASS ONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 GIANTS IN THEIR FIELD Murray said his colleagues have persevered in making juvenile justice a viable and respected profession nationwide while setting the bar high in the 21st century for strong ethics, best practices, and juvenile justice reform. Murray vowed to make his remaining years in juvenile justice his best years. "There is no finish line or end of the rainbow in sight for me at this time. I will wear the E.R. Cass medallion with great honor and pride as I look for new ways to serve, to build and rebuild young men and women into mature men and women; to be a role model and example-setter for others to follow, and to make an impact on my community, my support group, and on mankind." Murray said. The E.R. Cass Award was created in 1962 in honor of Edward R. Cass, who served as the ACA's general secretary for 40 of his 50 years in corrections. The award is presented to the individuals most dedicated to the field of corrections. Murray has been a member of ACA for more than 25 years, serving in numerous capacities including as a current elected member of the Commission on Accreditation for Corrections. He is Chair of ACA's Juvenile Justice Committee and is a past member of both the Board of Governors and the Delegate Assembly of the American Correctional Association. (Left to right): Commissioner Albert Murray with American Correctional Association President Harold Clarke and Thomas Stickrath, director of the Ohio Department of Youth Services The Department of Juvenile Justice prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and age in its programs and activities. For employee issues contact Cassandra Lawson at (404) 508-6500. For youth issues contact William Amideo at (404) 508-6500. 12 /directions/