Directions: a publication of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, Vol. 15, no. 4 (Winter 2010)

Directions

D apublication
oftheGeorgia

epartmentofJuvenileJustice

Volume XV, Issue No. 4 Winter 2010

DJJEnDs YEar with GraDuations

The Department of Juvenile Justice goals, stick to those goals, and seek out mentors who could

ended the year on a high note, hosting three graduations help keep them on the right path.

in December.

Graduate Maria Calderon said that her son was a big fac-

First Lady Mary Perdue served as the commencement tor in motivating her to complete high school.

speaker to a class of seven female graduates receiving either a high school diploma or GED at the Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC) on Dec. 16, 2009. Another

"[Graduating] means a lot to me," she said. "I can get an education so that I can do good things for my son."

two graduates were not able to attend. Mrs. Perdue took The day before the Macon graduation, the Augusta YDC held

the opportunity to tell the story of a young woman of her a graduation ceremony for nine young men. Ed Tarver, a for-

acquaintance

mer state senator

named Anna who

recently appointed

ended up in the

U.S. Attorney for

foster care system

the Southern District

at a young age,

of Georgia by

then became a

President Barack

runa w a y, a drug

Obama, was the

a d d i c t and gang

commencement

member. She told

speaker.

of how Anna real-

ized she needed

Tarver, like Perdue,

to make a change

told the graduates

and sought out

a story. He said

mentors to help

that, as a young

her, eventually

man, he had no

becoming an

particular interest in

attorney who

furthering his educa-

works to advocate

tion. He had a job

for young people.

at the Augusta

The moral o f t h e story, Perdue said,

First Lady Mary Perdue and Commissioner YDC graduate Victoria Montgomery

Albert

Murray

with

Macon

Country Club and a little walking around

was that a person's

money, and he was

past actions do not dictate a person's future.

not overly concerned with making long-term plans. All that

changed however when he picked up the newspaper one day.

"Completing all of your high school requirements here is the beginning of a redefined future for each of you," she told the graduating class.

In the paper was an article on Tarver's father, a retired military man, who had never completed high school. The article was about how Tarver's father had, after finding he was not able to read and write well enough to take the GED, went

She said the new graduates were on the path to self-sus- back to high school to pursue his diploma, attending class-

tainability and positive opportunities and urged them to set es every day with students younger Continued on page three

CommissionEr's CornEr
reflectingonChallengesandopportunities
A s I begin my seventh year as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, I want to recognize and give praise to the many staff, present and former, who helped to make this a wonderful journey. There have been many successes and challenges, and I'm confident there will be more of both in 2010 and beyond, both for me personally and for this agency. I also say with the upmost confidence that DJJ will continue to meet all challenges ahead in spite of the economic struggles and budget woes. I'm not sure we can call the outcomes of dealing with these economic times full of budget reductions a success, but we have made appropriate decisions and managed very well despite the hand of declining state revenues that all of state government has been dealt. In 2009, we cut hundreds of state jobs from DJJ's ranks. This has included upper management, middle management, and positions throughout the agency. This has strained our ability to function and provide services, and Commissioner Albert Murray most importantly, it has adversely affected the lives of good state employees who have served loyally for many years. We have closed facilities. Through it all we have maintained services to youth under our care and continue to find ways to be successful. Despite furloughs for every DJJ employee except for juvenile correctional officers and food service workers, our workforce remains productive while taking on added duties.
As trying as 2009 has been, there were highlights.
We wrapped up the year with three youth graduations at youth development campuses including the ceremony highlighted on the cover of this newsletter which included Georgia's First Lady Mary Perdue serving as the commencement speaker. These graduations were a continuation of our educational success with our youth that saw a record number graduate during the last fiscal year.
HB 245 was adopted, reducing the Short Term Program (STP) from a 60 day sentence to 30 days. This allowed DJJ to redirect resources to other needed areas. It also resulted in a reduction of STP use and a reduction of the overall number of beds needed for this program. This legislation better prepared DJJ to handle budget reductions. We also moved ahead with providing improved services to victims of juvenile crime. Legislation we did not sponsor, but embraced, called for improved victim notification procedures, which we are implementing.
A major achievement all of DJJ can share in is the removal of our department from federal oversight. DJJ met all requirements of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and finally ended 11 years of involvement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on May 5, 2009. When I signed on in 2004, this was a major goal of mine. We operate constitutional facilities and programs and there was no longer any need for DOJ to be in Georgia. It was time. This major accomplishment is all of DJJ's to claim. Without the entire workforce working toward this goal for many years, it would not have come about and I pledge that as long as I am commissioner, DJJ will remain a strong constitutional system that does not need outside involvement.
As we move toward the end of this current administration, each agency head has been tasked by Governor Sonny Perdue to make every day count. We will do this at DJJ, just as we have always done.
Thank you.
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ProGrams anD sECurE CamPusEs

GraDuations ContinuED frompage1

than his own children. Tarver said his father had told no one about his plan to earn a diploma. Learning of his father's efforts changed him, Tarver said.
"The only difference between the Ed Tarver of today and the Ed Tarver of that time was that I made a commitment to get my education," he said.
Emmanuel Daniels, a youth who received his GED at the ceremony, said he decided to turn his life around after receiving a letter from his younger brother asking when he would be coming home.

Sumter YDC graduate Corey Smith speaks to his graduating class. Smith earned a college preparatory diploma and graduated along with 10 other classmates.

"That was the day I decided to change my life," Daniels said.

The final graduation was at the Sumter YDC, where 11

young men received either their high school diploma or GED. Home For Christmas: One Graduate

Reverend George Monts of Zion Hope Baptist Church was the Earns GED And Is Granted Early Release

commencement speaker. He urged the graduates to return to

S their respective communities and serve as positive examples
for others.

hontajah Small had just received her GED during a December 16, 2009 ceremony at the

Macon Youth Development Campus (YDC) when

"I challenge you to go back to the community you came from she received word that she had been granted an

and become one of the greatest leaders that community has early release and, because of her hard work and

ever seen," Monts said.

good attitude, she would be able to leave the facil-

Corey Smith, who received a college preparatory diploma

ity that day with her family after serving over two years of a three year commitment.

at the Sumter gradua-

Small said that, while in the

tion, said he did not

facility, her entire attitude

realize how much

changed, and she realized

education meant to

that if she wanted to suc-

him until he got in

ceed she would need to put

trouble.

in the work.

"When it got taken away from me, I realized how important it

"I realized it was my choice, and I had to turn myself around," she said.

was," he said.

Small said she plans to

Smith said he had Shontajah Small and family react as JPPS II Renee McEady enlist in the Army.

been one semester announces her early release from the Macon YDC.

Small's mother, Teresa

away from graduating

Williams, was overjoyed at the news that her

before being sent to Sumter, so he decided not to give up even daughter would be coming home.

though his situation seemed bleak. He said he plans to go to

college and major in mass communications and wants to work "This is the biggest Christmas present to me,"

in public relations.

Williams said, holding back tears.

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ProGrams anD sECurE CamPusEs

aGift from iraq

When long-time DJJ employee and National Guard Staff Sgt. Eric Price of the 178th MP Company of the Georgia National Guard returned from a year long tour of duty in Iraq, he brought a special gift with him for those in DJJ who had supported him.
When Price got back in November, he presented Muscogee Youth Development Campus (YDC) Director William Samuel and Captain Marvin Menafee with an American flag which had been flown over Camp Basra in Basra, Iraq, in honor of the Muscogee YDC and the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

"[Samuel and Menafee] both said take as much time as you need," Price said.
Price, who has been with DJJ since 1998, first worked at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) before transferring to the Muscogee YDC in 2005. Price has been deployed to Iraq twice since 2001.
Samuel said receiving the flag was a surprise.
"I felt really, really proud that he would think about us," Samuel said.
Menafee, himself a retired Army veteran, said that Price's actions were "very humbling."

Price said he pur-

Samuel said Price

chased the flag him-

was one of five

self and had it flown

employees at the YDC

over the base to show

who have been called

his gratitude to Samuel,

up to active duty, and that

Menafee, and all the (Left to right): Muscogee YDC Captain Marvin Menafee, JCO II everyone at the facility

others in the agency and National Guard Staff Sgt. Eric Price and Muscogee YDC

works hard to support

who had gone out of Director William Samuel with a flag flown over Camp Basra, Iraq those in the military.

their way to help him

and his family prepare for his deployment. Preparing to be "We just support them and pray for them," Samuel said.

deployed overseas can be a trying experience, Price said. "That's our job as a family. That's what we are at Muscogee,

There are worries about family and financial matters that a family."

must be dealt with, and the staff at Muscogee pitched in to help

him take as much time as he needed to get his affairs in order Samuel said the flag would be displayed in the Muscogee YDC

before his deployment.

lobby.

DJJrECEivEs Grant for aftEr sChool ProGrams

The Department of Juvenile Justice has received a threeyear grant to continue its successful after-school programs at two of its long-term facilities. The grant, provided by the Georgia Department of Education, is for $187,000 for the first two years and $346,000 in the third year. The money will be used at the Augusta and Muscogee Youth Development Campuses (YDCs).

during weekend visitation at the facilities. The program will allow students and parents to work together to earn their GEDs, said Education Program Manager Coy Satterfield.
Satterfield said that providing youth with engaging activities after school helps reinforce what the youths learn in class and also helps minimize serious misbehavior.

The program is intended to improve student reading and "We've seen behavior problems drop down tremendously
math test scores and provide services to youth families because of this," he said.
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BuDGEt Cuts ClosE Bill irElanD YDC

Due to an unprecedented economic downturn and a subsequent drop in state revenue, DJJ, like all other agencies, has had to take swift, serious budget cutting measures in order to keep a balanced budget. As part of those cuts, DJJ has closed the Bill E. Ireland Youth Development Campus (YDC) in Milledgeville. The decision was not an easy one, as it affected a large number of employees, and the facility itself had years of history. It was the first juvenile correctional facility in the state of Georgia. It opened its doors in 1905 as the Georgia State Reformatory, and it housed youths who had previously been in penitentiaries.
The decision to close the 300-bed facility was made after the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget ordered all state agencies to prepare cuts of four, six, and eight percent for the current fiscal year. Closing Bill Ireland, which was very expensive to operate due to its size and age, will save the agency an estimated $18 million per year. DJJ also wants to move toward smaller YDCs,

of no more than 150-beds, a juvenile justice best practice. The majority of the youths housed at the facility (213) were transferred to other facilities. A small number were placed under community supervision. At the time of its closure, Ireland had 309 full-time employees. Approximately one-third found jobs elsewhere within the agency or at another state agency.
Some employees chose to retire or requested contingent leave without pay. All of the affected employees were afforded the opportunity to apply for vacant DJJ positions. The closure of the Ireland YDC is just one part of the ongoing changes DJJ is

making to adjust to tough economic conditions. In the last fiscal year, the agency closed the McIntosh YDC in McIntosh County. The 60-bed facility was operated by a contractor and served males who were in DJJ's short-term program. The agency has also closed a 24-bed unit at the Macon YDC, the only longterm facility for females. DJJ has cut more than 400 jobs including upper and middle management positions.
DJJ has effectively managed the bed reductions in part due to the change in the Short Term Program (STP). The program was reduced by legislation last year from a 60 day sentence to 30 days. The STP was shortened as a cost savings measure and the reduction has resulted in fewer YDC beds needed for the program. As a result agency leaders saw an opportunity to improve transitional services to youth leaving DJJ. The Savannah River Challenge Program, a 150-bed YDC, which was formerly reserved for STP youth, is now being used as a transitional "step down" facility to better prepare youths being released to the community.

savannah rivEr takEs on nEw ChallEnGE
DJJ and the Savannah River Challenge Program continue 150 beds at Savannah River are now designated to work closely to develop a youth transition program. The transition beds for youth preparing to be released by the
department.

Savannah River has historically been used for DJJ's Short Term Program (STP), but in 2009, STP was reduced from a 60 to a 30 day sentence. DJJ has seen a decline in population of these youth due to shorter lengths of stay.

Needing to maximize the valuable resource DJJ has in

Savannah River Challenge, Savannah River Challenge

stepped up to the plate to implement the new transition

program.

continued on next page

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ProGrams anD sECurE CamPusEs savannah rivEr ContinuED
AMIKids, which operates Savannah River Challenge, has had a long and successful relationship with DJJ and both look to work together to improve opportunities for youth who are being released.
During the fall of 2009, youth with less than 12 months to go on their DJJ commitment who were at other YDCs were considered for the program. After the assessment process those who qualified were transferred to Savannah River Challenge.
DJJ's education curriculum, already in place at Savannah River Challenge, affords youth the opportunity to earn a high school diploma or GED. Programming being implemented to aid youth in their transition includes vocational and technical courses, Georgia's Work Ready program, transition-focused counseling and life skills. AMIKids is also looking into the possibility of making scholarship funds available to eligible youth. Other programming includes sex offender treatment, mental health and substance abuse treatment.
DJJPartnErs with Dhsfor fathErhooD ProGram
The Department of Juvenile Justice and the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child
Support Services (DHS/DCSS) have partnered to offer a fatherhood education program at the agency's largest long-term facility.
Representatives from both agencies were on hand at the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC) for a kickoff event on Thursday, October 29, 2009. Keith Horton, director of the Division of Child Support Services, David Harris, program manager for the Fatherhood Program, and State Operations Director Sandy Keating, joined Eastman YDC Director Gary Morris and Assistant Director Fran Wells at the event.
The object of the program is to offer services to youth in DJJ facilities who are fathers to help them become more involved in the lives of their children. DHS/DCSS staff will help educate the youths on what they need to do to become self-sufficient, educate them on the importance of legitimizing their children, and explain DNA and paternity testing.
Harris said that the outreach at Eastman is the first time the Fatherhood Program has reached out to teens, although they have been working in adult correctional facilities and with those on probation or parole for a number of years. Harris said Eastman was chosen because it is a transitional facility, and some of the youths there are on the cusp of release into the community.
"If we can reach these teenagers and young men while they are still young enough to inspire, we can slowly begin to break a cycle of absent fathers, criminal history, substance abuse, and feelings of hopelessness for them and their children," Harris said.
Harris added that he was grateful to the department for allowing the Fatherhood Program into the facility.
Steve Herndon, deputy commissioner of Programs and Secure Campuses, said having the Fatherhood Program at Eastman is one more way of helping youths establish themselves in the community once they are released.
"This program will be a welcome addition to the other offerings at the Eastman YDC, and will hopefully make a positive impact on the lives of many young fathers and their children," he said.
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ProGrams anD sECurE CamPusEs

DJJEntErs into aGrEEmEnt to imProvE hEalth CarE
The Department of Juvenile Justice's Office of Health Services has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with several other agencies aimed at improving health services for HIV positive individuals in correctional institutions.

The agreement was initiated by DJJ Medical Director Dr. Michelle Staples-Horne and Dr. Anne Spaulding, assistant professor at Emory University. The memorandum was formally signed at a ceremony at DJJ headquarters in Decatur on January
7, 2010. Representatives from the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Emory School of Medicine, the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, the Fulton County Jail, and Atlanta City Jail were present at the signing. Other correctional and public health agencies across the state are also participating. All MOU participants acknowledge the importance of protecting patient privacy and adhering to HIPAA standards.

Sharing of patient health information among

correctional agencies will help save money by

reducing duplication of services, will reduce lia-

(Left to right) Dr. Michelle Staples-Horne and Department of bility by cutting down on medication errors, and

Corrections Medical Director Dr. Sharon Lewis sign the MOU.

lead to expedited medical care for patients.

"The MOU will improve continuity of care for HIV positive detainees and inmates that move in and out of correctional facilities and reduce costs associated with repeating required lab tests," said Staples-Horne.

murraY sErvEs as viCE-Chair of BhDDCoorDinatinG CounCil

Commissioner Albert Murray was appointed
as Vice Chair of the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Coordinating Council on December 3, 2009. The council, which was created by House Bill 228, serves four categorical functions: Recommendation, Goal Setting, Monitoring/Evaluation, and Outcome Measures Development for the new Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). This will allow DJJ to be a participant in the planning and oversight of the Georgia Behavioral Health Delivery System which provides services to many DJJ youth and their families.

The DBHDD was formed in July 2009, as part of a reorgan-

ization of what was then called the Department of Human

Resources (now the Department of Human Services). The

new DBHDD assumed most of the responsibilities of the

former Department of Human Resources Division of Mental Dr. Frank Shelp, Commissioner of the Department of Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Addictive Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Diseases.

meets with Commissioner Murray.

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staff aPPointmEnts anD rECoGnitions

amBurn BEComEs ChiEf of staff for nEw housE sPEakEr

Legislative Director Spiro Amburn has left the agency to take a position as Chief of Staff for new House Speaker David Ralston. Amburn was with the agency for five years, and he did a great deal to help advance the agency's goals through the legislative process.

"While he will be greatly missed at DJJ, this is a tremendous opportunity which I am glad to see him get," said Commissioner Albert Murray. "He has played a crucial role in helping to get some critical legislation passed for the agency over the last five years, and has contributed to DJJ's mission and progress in many ways."

Amburn said he had mixed feelings about leaving the agency, but was proud of the role he has been able to play in making significant strides in the area of legislation that not only allow for better management but most importantly better outcomes for Georgia's youth.

Spiro Amburn

wooDarD namED DirECtor of offiCE of sECurE CamPusEs

Ronnie Woodard has been appointed as the director of the Office of Secure Campuses within the Division of Programs and Secure Campuses. Woodard is responsible for all aspects of the management of the department's Youth Development Campus (YDC) program, including central office Secure Campuses staff and activities.

Woodard is a lifelong DJJ employee, having started his career at the Eastman RYDC in 1981 as a youth development worker. Woodard has served in all three major program areas of DJJ: Community Services, Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDCs) and Secure Campuses. In addition to his case management experience, Woodard has served as director and assistant director at the Eastman RYDC and assistant director and director at the Eastman YDC. His most recent position was as a Ronnie Woodard regional administrator in the Office of Secure Campuses where he supervised the Eastman, Ireland, Sumter, Macon, and Muscogee YDCs. Woodard has a bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University in Criminal Justice.
Promotions anD aPPointmEnts
Todd Weeks has been appointed associate director of the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC). Weeks began his career with the department in 1994 as a sergeant at the Eastman YDC. He has also served as a lieutenant and as a captain at the Wrightsville YDC. He returned to the Eastman YDC in September 2001 as a unit manager.

Danny Cheeks has been appointed security captain at the Eastman Youth Development Campus (YDC). He previously served as captain at the Macon RYDC. He has a long career in corrections, including serving as a sergeant at Central District Probation and at Treutlen Boot Camp, and as a lieutenant at the Eastman YDC from 1993 to 1999 as well as a captain at the Metro RYDC from 1999 to 2003.

Tania Appling has been appointed training program manager in the Office of Training. Her most recent position was assistant facility director of the Bill Ireland Youth Development Campus. Appling has bachelor's degrees in mass communication and political science from West Georgia College, a master's degree in public administration from the State University of West Georgia, and a Master's of Education from Georgia State University.

Shawn Banks has been appointed director of the Sumter Youth Development Campus (YDC). He has been employed at the Sumter YDC since 2000 and has supervised the security and programs. Banks was a key staff member during the
successful MOA audits. Prior to coming to DJJ, Banks worked in law enforcement. Banks has a bachelor's degree in criminal
justice from the University of Central Florida and a master's degree in social program administration from Georgia
Southwestern State University.
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staff aPPointmEnts anD rECoGnitions
faCilitiEs GEt nEw DirECtors
Several experienced DJJ facility directors have changed roles in the past several months. In September, Edward Boyd, who had served as the director of the DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) for three years transferred to the Gwinnett RYDC as director. Boyd is a 22-year U.S. Army veteran.

Gary Pattman, whose most recent position was as a regional administrator for the Division of Programs and Secure Campuses, took over Boyd's old position at the DeKalb RYDC. Pattman also previously served as director of the Savannah RYDC and has been with DJJ for 18 years.

Ronnie Richardson, who had been director of the Bill Ireland Youth Development Campus (YDC) became director of the Macon RYDC in December. Richardson had been director of Bill Ireland for four years. He has been with the agency for 20 years.

CommunitY sErviCEs anD intakE
huGhEs rECEivEs national awarD
Bobby Hughes, director at the Elbert Shaw Jr. Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Dalton received the
Donald R. Hammergren Distinguished Service Award on October 18, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hughes accepted the award from the National Juvenile Detention Association (NJDA).

The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of juvenile detention. Although nominations are accepted annually the award is only granted when it is clearly demonstrated that an outstanding achievement or contribution with a national impact has been made in the field of juvenile justice.

Deputy Commissioner of the Division

of Community Services and Intake

(CSI) Rob Rosenbloom said the

award was granted in part as a result

of the successful Memorandum of

Agreement (MOA) audit at the Shaw

RYDC late last year. The lead inde-

pendent monitor in charge of the final

inspections called the Shaw facility,

"perhaps one of the best juvenile

Bobby Board

Hughes (third from right), poses Chairman Daniel Shuman, and

with Commissioner Albert Murray, Elbert Shaw RYDC staff at the

detention

facilities

in

the

nation,"

in

December board meeting.

his final report.

"Several national experts were able to see the operations of an excellent Georgia detention center and the leadership provided by Bobby and his great team," Rosenbloom said. "Every award of this kind is a reflection on the dedication of the staff as well as the leader, and in this case a reflection on all of us at DJJ. We are proud of Bobby Hughes and this career accomplishment." continued on next page

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CommunitY sErviCEs anD intakE
huGhEs ContinuED
The Elbert Shaw RYDC is one of 22 RYDCs operated by the DJJ across the state. RYDCs are secure short-term centers for youths awaiting trial in juvenile or superior court, or placement elsewhere within the DJJ system. The CSI Division oversees RYDC operations.
"Bobby Hughes is a tremendous leader and has put together an excellent team at the RYDC. The community has embraced the staff there and all work together to help our troubled youth," said Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Albert Murray.
The Hammergren Distinguished Service Award is named after Donald R. Hammergren, founder, president and active member of the NJDA. He implemented the incorporation of NJDA as a not-for-profit association. The National Juvenile Detention Association exists exclusively to advance the science, processes, and art of juvenile detention services through the overall improvement of the juvenile justice profession.

Youths'quiCk aCtions savE JCo
Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) Deon Turner said he has always believed that, if you treat people well, they will return the favor. His theory was put to the test in September, and he was right. When Turner suffered a medical emergency while in one of the housing units at the Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Columbus, several youth came to his aid in his moment of need.

Turner, who has worked at the facility for three and a half years, said he was trying to get some

youths into their rooms when he started to feel light headed and short of breath. When he started

to fall over, Turner said several youths caught him, and after initially sitting him in a chair, moved him

to the floor, so he could lie down. One of the youths, Justin Garrett, grabbed Turner's radio and

called for help.

JCO I Deon Turner

Turner said he thinks the youths showed concern for him because of the way he treats them. Turner, a Columbus native, said he sees many of the youths who pass through the facility outside the fence, and he always tries to treat them with respect, offer them assistance when they need it, and provide positive motivation for them.

"I run into them in the community, and that's where my rapport comes into play," he said.

Garrett, one of several youth coming to Officer Turner's aid, said he noticed Turner didn't look well on the unit. Turner was woozy and breathing real hard, Garrett said. When Turner got up to take a break, the youth said, Turner collapsed on the floor and his eyes rolled back in his head. Since it was clear he needed medical assistance, Garrett sprang into action. Garrett said when he saw the officer fall his first reaction was fear but he didn't let that stop him from doing what needed to be done. He grabbed the officer's radio and called for help while four or five other youths helped move the officer and put a mat under his head.

"I was scared," Garrett said. "I thought he was dead. I just called for help as quick as I could."

Another youth, Keivonte Walker, called Turner a "good officer," and said they were just trying to help him.

Turner said he was not surprised by the way the youths acted, when they had a choice. "You have to allow them the opportunity to have a chance to change," he said.
Another resident on the unit said, "I hope he's alright."
After a three week leave of absence, Turner returned to his duties at the facility.
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CustomEr sErviCE
stEPhEns CountY CsohonorED for sErviCE

All nine employees of DJJ's
Stephens County Court Services Office (CSO) and High Intensity Team Supervision (HITS) program have received a Governor's Customer Service Commendation for team customer service excellence.
Juvenile Probation and Parole Specialist (JPPS) III Valerie Franklin; JPPS II Tammy Huggins; JPPS II Christopher Ayers; JPPS II Lori Gillespie; JPPS III Sonya Neely; JPPS I Scottie Elrod; JPPS I Brad York, Program Assistant DiAnne Collins and Juvenile Program Manager (JPM) Kathy Smith were all honored at the Governor's Customer Service Commendation awards ceremony in Atlanta on January 21, 2009.

"They have a lot of pride in what they do, and they have a lot of pride in their office, and they want it to work well," said Smith, who supervises the office. "They just have a team mentality."
In addition to their DJJ duties, the Stephens County CSO staff found time last year to participate in many activities outside the scope of their regular jobs. They collected for Toys for

they are not just there to punish them, but also to reward them when they do well.
"Those are the things that make the work we do fun," she said.
Staff members also helped individual youths and people in need. When the family of one youth lost their home in a fire, staff donated money to help the

Deputy Commissioner of Community Service and Intake Rob Rosenbloom said he is proud of the good work that the DJJ employees of Stephens County community staff strive to do every day.
"The Stephens County staff are just one example of the great team of community service staff that we have at DJJ," Rosenbloom said.
The Stephens County CSO/HITS are responsible for making intake decisions, performing court duties and supervising youth under home detention and on probation in the Mountain Judicial Circuit, which encompasses Habersham, Rabun, and Stephens counties. According to JPM Kathy Smith, the employees in the office function with "a unique sense of teamwork" that results in an efficient staff who are always courteous and professional and make themselves available to customers at all times.

Members of the Stephens CountyCSO receive their customer service commendations from the Governor's Office of Customer Service.

Tots, held a coat drive and a canned food drive. They also worked with youth at an area soup kitchen to help teach them the value of community service, and served as mentors for youth in area schools. The staff also paid for items like school uniforms, field trips, and school supplies out of their own pockets when parents could not afford them. They also rewarded youths for good behavior with a trip to Six Flags.
Franklin, who has worked in the Stephens County CSO for more than six years, said that things like the Six Flags trip are what make the job enjoyable because they give the staff an opportunity to prove to the youths that

family get back on their feet. They also went out of their way to help a family after a young mother and her children were in a car wreck in front of their office. Staff members knew the wreck would cause financial hardship for the family during the holidays, so they bought Christmas gifts for the family.
Collins, who has worked at the office for nine years, said the staff there has always been ready to help her and to train her. She said she wanted to single out Smith for the hard work she put into the nomination.
"I know [Smith] worked hard to get the staff the recognition she thought they deserved," she said.

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Directions
Sonny Perdue
Governor
DJJBoarD
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
DJJaDvisorYCounCil The Honorable Quintress J. Gilbert
The Honorable Steven C. Teske
Commissioner: Albert Murray
Editor-in-Chief:Steve Hayes
writingstaff: Steve Hayes Nathan Cain
Editingteam: 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.
arounD DJJ
Georgia Juvenile Justice Leaders Seek to Lead ACA
Commissioner Albert Murray's name has been placed in nomination for President of the American Correctional Association. Murray is facing Christopher Epps, Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The election will take place this spring (2010). Murray, if successful, will serve on the ACA Executive Committee for six years; two years as President-Elect; two years as President and two years as Immediate Past President.
Commissioner Murray has been a member of ACA for more than 25 years and has been a very active member, serving in several capacities. He has served on the Board of G o v e r n o r s a n d t h e Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom and Commissioner
Albert Murray in Tampa at the ACA conference, where
Delegate Assembly, both men campaigned for leadership positions. and he's a certified accreditation auditor. He is currently an elected member of the Commission on Accreditation. The Commission awards accreditation to state and federal prisons, county jails and juvenile facilities across the country and abroad.
ACA Board of Governors positions will also be selected along with the members of the ACA Delegate Assembly. Those members elected to office by the ACA membership will assume their new roles at the conclusion of the Congress of Correction in Chicago, Illinois this summer.
DJJ Deputy Commissioner Rob Rosenbloom is up for re-election as a member of the Board of Governors. Rosenbloom has been an ACA member for seven years and has been on the Board Governors and the Delegate Assembly for the past three and a half years. Rosenbloom has also been appointed to the Executive Committee of the Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
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.
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