Governor Rick Scott today announced Timothy Niermann will become the Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice on an interim basis. He will be replacing Secretary Christina Daly who is leaving the agency effective August 31, 2018, after serving at DJJ since 2006. [Read more…] about Timothy Niermann Named Interim Secretary of Department of Juvenile Justice
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice
Changing Lives from the Inside: Shelter Dogs Cared for and Trained by Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Youth
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) recently began the TAILS (Teaching Animals and Inmates Life Skills) program at one of its juvenile residential commitment programs, the Duval Youth Academy in Jacksonville. The TAILS program began in 2015 as a collaborative effort bringing together prison inmates and hard-to-adopt shelter dogs. This January, three dogs were placed at the Duval Youth Academy to pilot the TAILS program in a juvenile setting.
Under the guidance of the TAILS Program Director Jen Deane, youth selected for the program were taught handling and dog training skills. The boys worked in teams of two with one dog assigned to each team. The dogs lived full-time at the facility for the duration of their training. Twice per week Ms. Deane, who is a certified professional dog trainer, gave instructions to the boys who then worked with the dogs throughout the week. “We’re fighting hate with love,” said TAILS Program Director Jen Deane.
Though carefully assessed for suitability for training and living in a commitment program, the dogs had problems of their own to overcome. The three dogs selected for the pilot were saved from abusive situations, with one of the animals having been locked in an outdoor shed with no food or water for days on end. In April, all three dogs graduated from the program and six young men earned certificates of completion in dog handling and basic dog training. “While this program helps to place dogs in loving homes, the impact it has goes much deeper; it teaches our kids patience and kindness for another living creature”, said DJJ Secretary Christina Daly.
Asked to describe what the TAILS program did for them, one pilot participant said that it saved his life. His dog was his friend and made it possible for him to manage his depression. Another participant said that it made him rethink how he’s been living his life and what impact his choices have had on his family. “We taught each other things that will help us, like confidence, love, compassion, and patience,” said K.T., a dog handler and trainer.
Two of the dogs trained at the Duval Youth Academy have found new homes while the third will await adoption at the rescue facility managed by Ms. Deane.
DJJ Honors 2018 Youth Ambassadors During Youth Success Day
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Secretary Christina K. Daly, the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation, members of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, legislators, and community partners today honored the 2018 DJJ Youth Ambassadors during Youth Success Day at a reception at Florida’s Historic Capitol.
DJJ Youth Ambassadors are youth in the state of Florida who have turned their lives around for the better after contact with the juvenile justice system. These ambassadors serve as mentors and role models for other at-risk kids throughout the state.
“The incredible stories of our Youth Ambassadors and how they’ve overcome their challenges serves as a reminder that we must never allow our past to define our future” said DJJ Secretary Christina Daly. “These young people have demonstrated that success isn’t just about what you accomplish in life, but how much you inspire those around you.”
DJJ solicits nominations for the Youth Ambassador Award from providers, community stakeholders and the public at large. Youth Ambassadors received a certificate and Youth Investment Award from the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation, which is the direct-support organization for DJJ. Youth receiving awards today were:
Carlos Leyva
Carlos first became involved with the juvenile justice system at the age of 14 and was later committed to a residential program. In 2016, Carlos completed his program and took the initiative to complete aftercare services with Eckerd Connects Project Bridge to reach his goals. Carlos immediately began career services workshops to gain the skills needed to secure employment. His training proved successful as he was hired at a local restaurant, receiving several promotions along the way. Although Carlos has successfully graduated from Eckerd Connects Project Bridge, he regularly keeps in contact with the team and works with them to further advance his goals. Carlos looks forward to a bright future, which includes securing his own apartment and continuing his education to become a registered nurse.
Jazzman Lezama
Jazzman first became involved in the juvenile justice system when she was 15 years old. She was later direct filed and committed to a residential program at the age of 16. Early in life, Jazzman was involved with the foster care system, and then the juvenile justice system. Jazzman has used her past choices and decisions to motivate her to make better ones. Jazzman realized that she had the capacity to give back to the community in more positive ways. This includes being an advocate with a group called Florida Youth SHINE, which works to advocate on behalf of foster youth and child welfare issues at the state and local level. In addition, she is involved with the Palm Beach County Youth Services Department as a member of a youth empowerment group called Future Leaders United for Change. Youth Success Day is a DJJ sponsored event held each year at the Florida Capitol. This is the eighth year that DJJ has recognized Youth Ambassadors during its Youth Success Day.
Governor Rick Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future Budget Fights to Support At-Risk Youth and Families
Governor Rick Scott today announced his Securing Florida’s Future budget, which invests an additional $42.1 million into Florida’s juvenile justice system for a total of $593.4 million. This funding will support the continuation of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s (DJJ) reform efforts and its core mission of reducing juvenile delinquency, increasing public safety, and providing the services at-risk youth and their families need in the coming years to transition youth back into their communities and guide them towards successful adulthood.
Governor Scott said, “Florida has made tremendous progress in reforming our juvenile justice system, with our state experiencing the lowest levels of juvenile arrests in more than forty years. The Securing Florida’s Future budget continues to invest in effective programs and services that have been proven to help our youth and their families. I am also proud to recommend a 10 percent pay raise for the recruitment and retention of detention and probation officers, who have the responsibility of working with youth in DJJ care.”
“Governor Rick Scott has remained steadfast in his dedication to transforming Florida’s juvenile justice system, and the Securing Florida’s Future budget demonstrates his unwavering support for providing the best outcomes for youth and for the thousands of dedicated staff who work to better the lives of those we serve,” said DJJ Secretary Christina K. Daly. “I want to thank him for his leadership in recognizing the needs of our youth, families and staff, ensuring safer communities and a better Florida for us all.”
Highlights from Governor Scott’s Securing Florida’s Future budget include:
$13 million to increase the number of available residential commitment treatment beds to ensure capacity for youth adjudicated to non-secure and secure residential commitment programs. Sufficient residential commitment treatment beds are necessary to ensure youth receive the required treatment to appropriately address their needs without undue delay.
$8 million in pay raises for juvenile probation and detention officers to support officer recruitment and retention and to reward these officers for their life changing work in the juvenile justice system. The State of Florida has more than 2,000 juvenile detention and juvenile probation officers who work around the clock to protect and rehabilitate Florida’s at-risk youth and keep families and communities safe.
$9 million to continue and expand evidence-based prevention programs. Effective prevention programs have been a critical component in improving the juvenile justice system in Florida. This funding will improve public safety by providing prevention programming to additional youth while also continuing funding levels for current services.
$11.6 million to provide the necessary repairs and maintenance of detention, probation, and residential facilities. This funding will support security improvement and life safety projects, electrical upgrades, and ensure proper compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
$317,150 for the establishment of the Office of Youth and Family Advocacy within the Office of the DJJ Secretary. The Office will serve as a firsthand resource working directly with youth and families to foster communication and amplify their voice in the ongoing improvement of the juvenile justice system. This Office will continue to enhance DJJ’s robust improvement measures and give youth and their families the advocates they need to be successful.
What they are saying…
Stacy Gromatski, President and CEO of the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, said, The Florida Network would like to thank Governor Scott for his continued focus on prevention and early intervention funding in the Securing Florida’s Future budget. Investing in prevention and early intervention programs, which also provide parenting support and skill development services for families, will keep even more children out of the juvenile justice system and on the path to becoming successful young adults.”
Christian Minor, Executive Director of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, said, “Florida’s juvenile justice system serves as a national model for others and Governor Scott’s budget will keep our state at the forefront by providing for prevention, intervention, and residential treatment services. This comprehensive approach will help to effectively reach all youth that come into contact with our system and guide them in the right direction.”
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Pinellas County Sheriff said, “I applaud Governor Scott for including additional juvenile residential commitment treatment beds in his recommended budget, as well as the funds to ensure we have high quality, experienced staff to serve Florida’s youth and families. This funding demonstrates his commitment to public safety and to strengthening our communities.
To view the complete list of Governor Scott’s budget recommendations, CLICK HERE.
ICYMI: Miami Herald: Despite challenges, Florida’s juvenile justice system continues to improve
Despite challenges, Florida’s juvenile justice system continues to improve
By Shay Bilchik
Miami Herald
November 10, 2017
Recent Herald articles about the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) raise significant concerns about the agency’s operation. Unfortunately, they paint an incomplete picture.
Six years ago, DJJ embarked on an effort to strategically transform the way it serves at-risk and delinquent youth. This has been a daunting task filled with challenges, but led by a committed group of policymakers and practitioners, the agency has demonstrated great successes along the way.
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DJJ’s path has not been perfect, but what I know from firsthand contact with that system is that its efforts have been earnest and significant. And while there have been horrible incidents of misconduct by staff, each has been met with an appropriate response by DJJ to address the behavior and ensure that it does not recur. At the same time, DJJ’s leadership has not wavered in its commitment to improve the overall system and how it serves youth, including the prevention of delinquent behavior.
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Indeed, now is the time for Florida’s leadership to build on DJJ’s successes and further improve the system by investing in high quality staff, as well as smaller residential placements that are closer to where youth live and can successfully transition back into their communities.
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DJJ is setting the standard for system reform, including its work around screening and assessment, the use of structured decision-making tools, and data analysis which is positively influencing practice across the country. Indeed, tens of thousands of youth are being well served by the Department of each year.
Is DJJ perfect in its work? No, but it is far better than the Herald’s reporting reflects.
SHAY BILCHIK IS RESEARCH PROFESSOR/CENTER DIRECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY. HE SERVED FORMERLY AS AN ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION IN THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Announces Office of Youth and Family Advocacy
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) today announced its plan to establish an Office of Youth and Family Advocacy within the Office of the DJJ Secretary.
The Office will serve as a firsthand resource working directly with youth and families to foster communication and amplify their voice in the ongoing improvement of the juvenile justice system. Youth and families will have an additional avenue to raise concerns and engage with the Department to ensure youth and family needs are addressed. This Office will help enhance robust improvement measures at DJJ and give youth and their families another layer of accountability.
“The Department is committed to the well-being and safety of youth and engaging with families to ensure we are meeting their needs,” said Secretary Christina K. Daly. “The Office of Youth and Family Advocacy will share our vision that all Florida’s children live in safe and nurturing communities that provide for their needs, recognize their strengths and support their success.”
DJJ continues to evaluate and identify new ways to build on the tremendous progress made with our aggressive and innovative reforms over the past six years. As part of system-wide reform, evidence-based services are provided throughout the delinquency continuum, with research-based services matched to youths’ assessed risks and needs. The transformation of our juvenile justice system in recent years is producing results:
- Florida has the lowest juvenile arrest rate in more than 40 years.
- DJJ has reduced the use of residential commitment for low-moderate risk youth by 60 percent.
- DJJ has the lowest recidivism for youth on probation that the agency has ever seen.
Over the next several weeks, the Department will begin setting the vision of this newly-created office including identifying the necessary resources to ensure effectiveness. More information will be released in the coming weeks.
DJJ Honors 2017 Youth Ambassadors
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Secretary Christina K. Daly, the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation, members of the Florida Juvenile Justice Association and partners today honored the 2017 DJJ Youth Ambassadors at a reception at Florida’s Historic Capitol.
DJJ Youth Ambassadors are youth in the state of Florida who have turned their lives around for the better after contact with the juvenile justice system. These ambassadors serve as mentors and role models for other at-risk kids throughout the state.
“It is important that we take a closer look at the individual youth that come across our juvenile justice system and let their stories inspire us,” said DJJ Secretary Christina K. Daly. “Their stories push us forward in doing the best we can for all youth and remind us that when we come together to make a difference in the lives of others, we all achieve success.”
DJJ solicits nominations for the Youth Ambassador Award from providers, community stakeholders and the public-at-large. Youth receiving awards today are:
Jesus Mendoza
Jesus was court referred to the Empowered Youth program after committing a felony offense at the age of 15 years old. Jesus successfully completed the program in the required six-month period and has continued to excel in his accomplishments. Jesus has represented the Empowered Youth program at the White House and at numerous conferences both in and outside of the United States. Jesus has never reoffended since his original charge, is a high school graduate, and has enrolled in college where he plans to major in Criminal Justice. He aspires to become a juvenile probation officer so that he can continue to serve as a guide and mentor for other inner city young men like himself.
Alyssa Beck
Alyssa is an advocate for survivors of sex trafficking and as a survivor herself, she has become a voice for those who have been silenced. Alyssa demonstrates a commitment to the needs of victims and survivors by dedicating her life’s work to the eradication of human trafficking. Sharing her experiences, Alyssa has been instrumental in effecting change at the public policy level. Alyssa’s own advocacy for survivors became personal when she testified against her traffickers resulting in their conviction and incarceration. Alyssa works at two organizations committed to the anti-trafficking movement, the Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center and at Rethreaded, a nonprofit organization founded to provide work for those escaping addiction, violence, human trafficking and prostitution.
Youth Ambassadors received a certificate and Youth Investment Award from the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation (FJJF), which is the direct support organization for DJJ. This is the seventh year that DJJ has recognized Youth Ambassadors.
