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Newport News, Virginia Team (2024 YIC)
Capstone Description: The Newport News team seeks to improve resident well-being through the implementation of a comprehensive Life Skills program and Multi-Tiered System of Supports, including daily life-skills groups for all residents, connection to affirming adult role models using daily wellness education, mentorship and crisis communication strategies, and stabilization efforts for highly traumatized youth. To do so, the team will partner with parents, community grassroots organizations, faith-based organizations and public safety entities.
Contacts:
Courtney Wynn-Bryant, Superintendent- Secure Detention, City of Newport News- Juvenile Services
Angela Coleman, Supervisor, City of Newport News
Jered Grimes, Director- Department of Juvenile Services, City of Newport News
Avis Kellam, Programs Coordinator, Newport News Juvenile Services
Darion Mack, Secure Detention Supervisor, City of Newport News Juvenile Services
Andrea Mason, Program Coordinator, City of Newport News Department of Juvenile Services
Ananias Moss, Superintendent, City of Newport News
Brittany Silva, Compliance Coordinator, Newport News Department of Juvenile Services
Christopher Wilson, Detention Specialist II, Newport News Department of Juvenile Services
Rhode Island Team (2024 YIC)
Capstone Description: The Rhode Island Team seeks to reduce recidivism rates for youth at the Division of Youth Development’s Training School through the creation of a phased reentry program in partnership with probation, the courts, community organizations, attorneys, and schools.
Contacts:
Jerry Darius; Clinical Social Worker; Department of Children, Youth & Families
Arlindo Gonclaves, Program Manager, DCYF/RITS - Division of Youth Development
Shannon Massaroco, Programming Services Officer; Department of Children, Youth & Families
Brian Terry; Superintendent; State of RI Department of Children, Youth & Families
Oklahoma Team (2024 YIC)
Capstone Description: The Oklahoma Team seeks to design a systemic reentry model for all youth in the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) exiting an out-of-home placement. OJA plans to accomplish this goal by establishing the scope of work for OJA’s Director of Reentry position and enhancing communication with families, contracted placement providers, and community-based service partners through clear expectations of each team member’s roles and responsibilities.
Contacts:
Jeremy Evans, Program Manager II, Office of Juvenile Affairs
Jennifer Goodrich; President and CEO; Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth
James Hayes, System Improvement Specialist, Office of Juvenile Affairs
Alison Humphrey, Program Administrator, Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Jeff Mader, Administrative Programs Officer IV, Office of Juvenile Affairs
Carol Miller, Deputy Director of Residential Placement Support, Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Shel Millington, Director of Behavioral Health, Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Roger Morris, Regional Director, OKCYC
Constanzia Nizza, Chief of Staff, Office of Juvenile Affairs
Kelly Perry, Senior Director of Child and Adolescent Systems and Crisis Services, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Randy Sheppard, Workforce Development Specialist II, Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs
Kheri Smith, Hope Ambassador, Office of Juvenile Affairs
Multnomah County, Oregon Team (2024 YIC)
Capstone Description: The Multnomah County Team seeks to create a Youth and Family Voice Council (YFVC) at the Donald E. Long Detention Center to promote a more responsive, equitable, and rehabilitative youth justice system informed by the perspectives of lived experts. Through this effort, the team aims to reduce recidivism, improve rehabilitation outcomes, and strengthen family engagement.
Contacts:
Kyla Armstrong-Romero, Juvenile Services Division Director, Multnomah County
James Hartman, Community Justice Manager, Multnomah County Department of Community Justice
Belinda Pascual, Interim Senior Manager, Multnomah County Community Justice
KeriAnn Rumrey, Restorative Justice Program Coordinator, Multnomah County
Jose Ruiz Valentine, Juvenile Custody Services Specialist (JCSS), Multnomah County Department of Community Justice, Juvenile Services Division
Cindy Worrell, Parent Representative
North Carolina Team (2023 YIC)
Capstone Description: The North Carolina Team seeks to increase family engagement when youth are placed at DJJDP facilities with the ultimate goal of creating stronger and more successful reentry plans for youth. To do so, the team will create a Family Engagement Coordinator Position, implement a Youth and Family Voice Advocacy Training for DJJDP youth and families, and institute trainings for staff around System of Care and family engagement strategies.
Contacts:
Anitra Amankwah, Assistant Facility Director, North Carolina Department of Public Safety
Chandrika Brown, Family Collaboration Coordinator, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Sonja Frison, Psychological Program Manager, NC DPS- Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Shelby Sherba, Evidence Based Practices Administrator, Juvenile Justice Court Services
Nicole Sullivan, Director of Reentry Services, NC Department of Public Safety - Division of Justice Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Island County, Washington Team (2023 YIC)
Capstone Description: The Island County Juvenile Detention Center team seeks to continue to move toward a more rehabilitative environment in their facility through shifting staff culture, creating individualized collaborative teams for each youth in their care, and eliminating silos among detention and court services staff. To do so, the team will provide online and in-person training opportunities for staff, create partnerships to incorporate new programming and create a more welcoming environment in the Center, and work with interdepartmental stakeholders to build partnerships with youth, families, and communities.
Contacts:
Megan Frazier, Court Administrator, Island County
Jeffrey Tremaine, Detention Manager, Island County
South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice Team (2023 YIC)
Capstone Description: The South Carolina team seeks to employ a culture change effort that focuses on SCDJJ’s values of integrity, loyalty, diversity, respect, and compassion. In partnership with youth, staff, and community organizations, the team will implement a practice model and a common language to be used in all five SC DJJ facilities that incorporate these values and are grounded in the principles of positive youth development.
Contacts:
Ernest Brown Jr., Associate Deputy of Facility Clinical Services, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Adrian Cartledge, Associate Deputy of Security and Operations, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Quiotis Fletcher, Facility Administrator (Warden II), South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Tamika Lofton, Facility Administrator, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Felicia McGhee, Director of Treatment Services at BRRC, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Matthew Ramirez, Associate Deputy of Security and Operations, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
James Smith, Facility Administrator - MEC, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Jennifer Wallace, Associate Deputy of Facility Programs, South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Greene County, MO Team (2023 YIC)
Description: The Greene County Team seeks to hire a full-time Detention Clinical Coordinator to serve as a therapist and psychological consultant within their facility. This individual will provide direct individual and group clinical services and crisis intervention services, as well as develop new assessment tools and trainings to help facility staff better serve the youth in their care.
Contacts:
Adam Blasczyk, Assistant Superintendent, Greene County Juvenile Office
Danielle Tomasi, Superintendent, Greene County Juvenile Office
Minnesota Juvenile Detention Association Team (2023 YIC)
Description: The Minnesota Team seeks to create a set of alternatives to Disciplinary Room Time to be used in Minnesota Department of Corrections Licensed Facilities, ultimately shifting the state’s approach to juvenile justice facility practice from correctional to therapeutic.
Contacts:
Matt Bauer, Superintendent, Dakota County Juvenile Services Center
Amy Lauricella, Policy Director, Department of Corrections, State of Minnesota
Mindy O'Brien, Superintendent, Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center
James O'Donnell, Superintendent; Clay County; Minnesota
Nate Parker, Superintendent, Anoka County
Becky Pogatchnik, AJC Division Director, Arrowhead Regional Corrections
Trahern Pollard, Founder/CEO, We Push for Peace
Jim Schaffer, Associate Warden, Minnesota Department of Corrections
Dana Swayze, Superintendent, Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center; Hennepin County, Minnesota
Texas Department of Juvenile Justice Team (2023 YIC)
Description: The Texas Juvenile Justice Department team seeks to employ a multi-pronged strategy aimed at streamlining the agency’s treatment, behavior, and case management plans. This includes developing a unified treatment plan across TJJD; enhancing the in-patient care model; and regularly consulting staff about improvements in engaging partners including interdivisional TJJD staff, youth, families, and external experts (to include the Dialectical Behavior Therapy – Linehan Board of Certification).
Contacts:
Shandra Carter, Executive Director, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Christopher Ellison, Director of Training, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Lacey Evans, Deputy Director of Treatment, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Sean Grove, Chief of Staff, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Antonio Houston, Facility Superintendent, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Emily Knox, Director of Research, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Autumn Lord, Clinical Director for Forensic Mental Health Services, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Alan Michel, Senior Director Secure Facilities, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Erin Nemons, Manager of Institutional Clinical Services, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Evan Norton, Senior Director of Integrated Treatment and Intervention, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Henry Schmidt, Director of Structured Programming and Accountability, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Cameron Taylor, Senioe Strategic Advisor, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Team (2022 EIYF)
Description: The Wisconsin Team seeks to reduce the use of isolation in their current program at the Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center in addition to creating a plan for a new program set to open in 2024. Specifically, the team aims to train staff on tools they can use instead of isolation; revise MJTC’s Mission Statement and Core Values; improve data gathering and sharing mechanisms; incorporate restorative justice, Credible Messengers, and more trauma-informed care into existing programming where possible; and modify MJTC’s existing points program. The Capstone team will incorporate the voices of MJTC staff and youth in each of these efforts.
Update (2024): MJTC currently is in the midst of a significant expansion project, but the Capstone Team continues to meet weekly. Thus far, MJTC has moved into parts of the newly constructed building space while other areas are under construction. The team currently conducts quarterly out-of-room time audits, and out-of-room time has continued to increase. The team hopes to continue in this direction while also focusing on safety, as the youth they serve often have acute behavioral health needs.
The team has hired for a host of new positions to staff their facility expansion. Additionally, the team has undertaken efforts around restorative justice programming, enhanced reentry supports, staff education, data gathering, revised facility vision and values, behavioral contingency programming, and pet therapy.
Contacts:
Sara Conklin-Weaver, Licensed Psychologist, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Andrew Jackman, Psychiatric Care Supervisor, Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center/Mendota Mental Health Institute
Alexander King, Psychiatric Care Supervisor, Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center/Mendota Mental Health Institute
Wendy LaBine, Policy and Standards Director, Wisconsin Department of Health Services/DCTS/MMHI
Jason Lewis, Psychiatric Care Supervisor, State of Wisconsin/department of Health and Human Services
Brett Ritz, Operations Director, Wisconsin Department of Health Services- Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center
Elizabeth Rudy, Youth Crisis Coordinator, Department of Health Services, State of Wisconsin
Gynger Steele, Assistant Administrator, Wisconsin State Department of Health Services
Seenia Thao, Clinical Social Worker, Department of Health Services, Mendota Mental Health Institute
Greg Van Rybroek, Director/CEO, State of Wisconsin/Department of Health Services/Mendota Mental Health Institute/Mendota Juvenile Treatment Center
Michael Witkovsky, Staff Psychiatrist, Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections Team (2021 EIYF)
Description: ADJC will meaningfully reduce or eliminate the use of isolation at Adobe Mountain School by enhancing its incentive structure for youth behavior and implementing intentional programming during youth idle hours.
Contacts:
Daunn Barnaby, Lieutenant, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Beth Broeker, Legal Systems Bureau Administrator, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Brianna Collins, Mental Health Team Coordinator, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Daniel Horacek, Youth Program Supervisor, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Marcell Lewis, Youth Corrections Sergeant, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Mike Lopez, Secure Care Program Administrator, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Raymonda Matheka, Clinical Director, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Jenine Wright, Interim Superintendent of Education, Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Washington State Team (2021 EIYF)
Description: The Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families capstone proposal focuses on the data collection and quality assurance (QA) process to build upon the processes already implemented to reduce the use of room confinement and isolation. The QA process will ensure the accuracy of data and prompt wraparound support services.
Contacts:
Andre Clark, Juvenile Rehabilitation Supervisor, Green Hill School
Siobhan Copeland, Juvenile Rehabilitation Residential Counselor, Department of Children, Youth and Families
Andrew Fox, Senior Researcher, Washington State, Department of Children, Youth and Families
Jeff Indermark, Associate Superintendent, Green Hill School
David Lujano, Youth Program Manager, Mirya Roach
Debbie Lyne, Institution Program Administrator, Department of Children, Youth and Families, Juvenile Rehabilitation
Kiara Moses, Program Manager, DCYF-JRA
Beth Rogers, Integrated Treatment Model Consultant and Trainer, WA Department of Children, Youth and Families
Andrea Ruiz; Policy, Planning & Lean Administrator; WA Department of Children, Youth and Families
Hayley Umu, Juvenile Rehabilitation Psychology Associate, DCYF-JR
Lilli Wolfe, Juvenile Rehabilitation Supervisor, Green Hill School, Juvenile Rehabilitation, Department of Children, Youth and Families
Racine County, WI (2021 EIYF)
Description: The Racine County Team seeks to reduce the use of isolation in the Racine County Juvenile Detention Center by implementing new room confinement processes, increasing and implementing youth-centered training for staff, and continuing to participate in the Annie E. Casey Foundation - JDAI efforts. They will amplify continued data collection and hold regular discussions on data collected with diverse levels of staff.
Contacts:
Brian Brickner, Lead Youth Program Coordinator, Racine County
Antonio Chavez, Superintendent, Racine County
Eric Corrao, Youth Detention Worker, Racine County Juvenile Detention Center
Candy Hattix, Youth Program Coordinator, Racine County Youth Justice Department
Glenn Larson, Operations Manager- Youth Development, Racine County Human Services Department
Darius Williams, Youth Service Coordinator, Racine County
Winnebago County, IL (2021 EIYF)
Description: The Winnebago County Team seeks to reduce the use of isolation in the Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center by amending their behavioral incentives system (or “points system”) to be more strength-based, adjusting their responses to minor rule infractions, increasing incentives for youth, and expanding mental health services, all of which will be achieved in partnership with multiple levels of staff.
Contacts:
Kamisha Garrett, Detention Officer, Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center
Debbie Jarvis, Director Court Services, 17th Judicial Circuit / Winnebago County
The Honorable John Lowry, Circuit Judge, State of Illinois
Julie McCray-Grotto, Assistant Superintendent, Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center/Court Services
Jacob Morsch, Judicial Detention Officer, Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center
Erin O'Gorman, Winnebago County Juvenile Detention Center
Bill Vedra, Superintendent, Winnebago County Juvenile Detention
Jason Waak, Supervisor/PREA Coordinator, Winnebago County Juvenile Detention
District of Columbia DYRS (2018 YIC)
Description: The team plans to design a healthy, pro-social environment, as well as to reduce critical incidents and confinement by training staff in restorative justice practices, creating opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring, and fostering effective communication amongst the staff and residents in DYRS facilities.
Contacts:
Azalia Speight, Principal SeeForever Foundation, Maya Angelou Schools
Felecia Hayward-Lawson, Co-Principal/Director of Special Education Maya Angelou Academy
Shiresse Brewington, Clinical Social Worker Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Willie Fullilove, Deputy Director of Secure and Non-Secure Programs Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Rashida George, Restorative Justice Coordinator Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Mack McGhee, Superintendent Department of Youth & Rehabilitation Services
Jannifer Nevilles, Superintendent Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services
Diamond Vann, Juvenile Justice Compliance Monitor Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC)
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (2018 YIC)
Description: To improve conditions of confinement for youth in custody at the St. Charles facility by working with the IDJJ Executive team, union leadership, the school district, and external programming groups to 1) reduce the use of confinement, 2) increase family engagement, 3) increase youth access to educational services, 4) improve interdisciplinary communication, 5) scale up staff training, and 6) improve the quality of data collection.
Update (2020): Overall, the averaging youth population at St. Charles has decreased from 100 youth in 2018 to 45 in 2020. This drop in population allows the team to make organizational improvements and overcome operational barriers. As part of their Capstone reform efforts, the team has made significant changes to their education, family engagement, and communication. Education: Youth are now assigned to classes based on educational needs, rather than housing assignment. The team is also focused on increasing and expanding educational programs available, particularly for youth who already graduated high school or obtained a GED. In 2018, youth receive on average half day of school per week. As of January 2020, youth have been receiving a full day of school every day. Family Engagement: The clinical and casework staff have started consistently doing family visits via video conferencing. The IDJJ executive team also established a partnership with the New Life Center of Chicago to provide community- and facility- based services to youth, such as circles, arts, and music programming. Staff at the facility also created quarterly "family fun days" so staff, youth, and their families can participate in activities together. Bi-weekly transformation between the facility and Chicago has also been bolstered and streamlined. Staff Communication and Organization: Facility staff has been broken down into smaller units to enable better coordination. As next steps, the team is establishing partners and services to focus on reentry.
Contacts:
John Albright, Assistant Superintendent of Programs Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice - IYC St. Charles
Regina Anderson, Chief of Security Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
Ernesto Mota, Youth and Family Specialist Supervisor Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
Kendle Jones, Training Coordinator/ Shift Supervisor Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
Christine Rothwell, Superintendent Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
Mike Zarco, High School Principal Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice - Education Dept.
Monroe County, New York (2018 YIC)
Description: The team aims to improve youth functioning while in the new Specialized Secure Detention Facility (SSD), as well as post release, focusing on the initial cohort of youth detained at and/or sentenced to the SSD. Their main strategy is to develop processes that will ensure both continuity of care and development of a strong therapeutic, educational, recreational, and employment focused plan for detained and sentenced youth transitioning into and out of custody. The team will also focus on developing cross-system partnerships and engaging the community and families.
Update (2020): To streamline reentry services, the Capstone members has been cultivating relationships with local key stakeholders to develop cross-system partnerships. In addition, the team brought on board a Clinical Coordinator and a Vocational Therapist. Some of the care worker positions were also reclassified to attract more qualified staff. While unexpected staff turnovers have been a challenge, the team continues to provide flexible training opportunities, both online and in-person. Guidelines related to case planning are updated, and numerous policies are in the process of being developed. Another major focus is on family and youth engagement. Aside from regular staff training on family and youth partnerships, the team is also developing tracking and reporting mechanisms to monitor the agencies' family and community activities, incorporating family input around case planning, and developing surveys to identify areas of improvement.
Update (2024): While most of the original team has moved on, the current team members continue to meet on a quarterly basis to improve cross-system communication, trouble shoot, and improve services within the Detention Center, as well as discharge planning. The team is currently working through changes in their youth population related to Raise the Age, focusing on improving discharge planning for the youth who are returning to the community as well as improving and expanding diversion efforts to avoid the use of unnecessary detention.
Contacts:
Michael Allen II, Program Director Rochester City School District
Kristine Durante, Assistant Chief Probation Officer Monroe County
Melissa Hayward, Sr. Manager Children's Behavioral Health Services Monroe County Office of Mental Health
John Kennedy, Special Operations Captain Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Barbara Mitchell, Juvenile Justice Services Planner/JDAI Coordinator Monroe County Department of Human Services
Catherine Thomas, Director Monroe County Department of Human Services
Nevada (2018 YIC)
Description: To improve reentry and aftercare systems by collaborating with key partners from Juvenile Justice Services, the Children's Mental Health, Children's Cabinet, and the school districts; developing new partnerships with community resources; and revising case planning practices.
Contacts:
Dolly Jones, Unit Manager State of Nevada
Stephanie Lee, Unit Manager, State of Nevada
John Munoz, Deputy Administrator DCFS
Kathryn Roose, Systems and Evaluation Manager University of Nevada, Reno
Walt Pesterfield, Superintendent State of Nevada-Summit View DCFS
Duluth, Minnesota (2017 YIC)
Description: The team is aiming to restructure agency protocols and practices, with the long-term goals of improving service quality and increasing youth's program completion. The policy changes will allow the agency leaders to better support program staff, particularly the therapeutic milieu, to recruit and retain diverse and qualified staff, and to provide rigorous training for direct care staff.
Contacts:
Jeff Bradt, President/CEO, The Hills Youth and Family Services
Kevin Szczyrbak, Assistant Director of Residential Services, The Hills Youth and Family Services
Kentucky DJJ (2017 YIC)
Description: Build a sustainable and comprehensive therapeutic treatment system within the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice Youth Development Centers. The main elements of project include:
Integrating valid and reliable screening and assessment tools.
Adopting evidence-based programs and interventions.
Developing trainings and professional development programming for staff.
Tracking project outcomes.
Update (2024): The Kentucky Team continues to incorporate evidence-based programming into their services. Kentucky DJJ is currently working to bolster residential programming. Additionally, ART has been incorporated into several of their Youth Development Centers and DJJ now uses the YASI for screening and assessment. DJJ also has an Evidence-Based Practices Team that monitors programming.
Contacts:
William Codell, Assistant General Counsel, KY Department of Juvenile Justice
Steve Gold, Henderson County Attorney, Commonwealth of KY
Sherlonda Gray, Corrections Instructor/Coordinator II, KY Department of Juvenile Justice
LaShana Harris, Executive Assistant Director, KY Department of Juvenile Justice
Gregory Lundy, Juvenile Facility Superintendent, KY Department of Juvenile Justice
Lori Bradbury Robinson, Licensed Psychologist/Program Administrator, KY Department of Juvenile Justice
Alichia Stanley, Superintendent, KY Department of Juvenile Justice
Samantha Woods, Division Director KY Department of Juvenile Justice
Massachusetts DYS (2017 RED)
Description: Reduce the overrepresentation and length of stay for youth of color in residential placement. More specifically, this effort will include:
Redesigning the agency's classification policies and procedures.
Adapting a structured decision-making tool.
Developing a training development team.
Developing reporting structure and supervision guidelines.
Contacts:
Christian Bijoux, Project Coordinator Consultant, MA Department of Youth Services
Lynsey Heffernan, JDAI State Coordinator, MA Department of Youth Services
Ruth Rovezzi, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Youth Services
Ja'Net Smith, Regional Director, Department of Youth Services
Utah (2017 YIC)
Description: To improve evidence-based substance use treatment delivery for youth transitioning from Secure Care to the community and concurrently strengthen staff capacity by: 1) Identifying risk and protective factors to address youth’s needs, particularly youth with substance use disorders; 2) Enhancing current reentry services, including educational and vocational services; 3) Building stronger family and community engagement strategies and collaborating with partners in education and mental health services; 4) Developing staff competencies through effective and efficient training.
Update (2019): Substance Use: Substance use treatment in both rural and urban areas will be served by the Local Mental Health Authorities. The team developed a facility schedule designed to serve moderate-risk youth at high risk of substance use through DBT treatment, and also implemented a behavioral management tracking system to monitor treatment dosage. Additionally, high-risk youth are now able to participate in evidence-based substance abuse programming. Reentry, Education, and Vocation/Community Partnerships: The team applied and received the OJJDP Second Chance Act Grant, which are now used to support youth to receive career-related certifications, equipments, classes, and stipend, as well as mentoring and coaching opportunities once youth return to their communities. A new, streamlined process is created to transfer school records, reduce number of tests, and standardize education reports. Furthermore, the Utah State Board of education collaborated with Juvenile Justice Services to delineate education responsibilities within facilities, which has now been added as an addendum in the case management planning manual. Family/Youth Engagement: Juvenile Justice Services have changed policy and staffing patterns to focus on engaging families. Now, the first family-team meeting occurs within 72 hours after a custody order, and case managers are spending more time on family coaching and supporting youth's reentry process. In addition, the team has created Resident Councils within their facility to support youth. Staff Development: All counseling staff are trained in DBT and behavioral management, and the team has improved staff communication to share information more easily and readily.
Contacts:
Mike Butkovich, Program Director, Office of Community Programs Division of Juvenile Justice Services *Note: Mike has been transferred to another assignment and is no longer with the team.
Dorie Farah, Program Director, Office of Correctional Facilities Division of Juvenile Justice Services *Note: Dorie has retired and is no longer with the team.
Kyle Goudie, Assistant Program Director, Genesis Programs, Adult Living Transition and Achievement Program Division of Juvenile Justice Services
Steven Kaelin, Education Specialist, Utah State Board of Education
Jill McKinlay, Assistant Program Director, Southwest Utah Youth Center Division of Juvenile Justice Services
Samuel Sherrow, Assistant Program Director, Slate Canyon Youth Center Division of Juvenile Justice Services
Debbie Whitlock, Deputy Director Division of Juvenile Justice Services *Note: Debbie is no longer involved in the project.
Ruth Wilson, Director, System of Care, Department of Human Services
Bexar County, Texas (2017 YIC)
Description: To build readiness for meaningful academic and employment opportunities as youth transition out of a secure facility through expanding current academic, career and technical pathways for youth. The strategies include: 1) Establishing a leadership team to oversee strategic planning and ensure sustainability; 2) Developing alternative academic, vocational, technical, and life skills programs; 3) Creating stronger youth and family engagement strategies to enhance transition-planning; 4) Building capacity for data collection and analysis.
Update (2019): The team has expanded career and technical education options for residents by partnering with Goodwill Industries of San Antonio and Alamo Workforce Solutions. In 2018, Goodwill has taught fifty-seven class sessions in ten new courses to help residents build career-related knowledge and skillsets. Through these courses with Goodwill, residents can obtain Texas Food Handlers certification, TABC certification, and OSHA-10 certification. These certifications allow residents to be job-ready when they re-enter the community. In addition, the Career and Technical Education Specialist, a newly created position at the Krier Center, ensures each youth receive individualized educational and/or career services. The passing of House Bill 2442 supported the team’s effort in individualizing residents’ schedule, allowing a smoother transition between academic and therapeutic programming, as well as a better teacher-student ratio (from 1:12 to 1:8). The changes in students’ daily schedule reduced the behavioral incidents from 276 to 148 per semester. The team has also strengthened the Krier Center’s youth and family engagement efforts through engaging parents in planning for Parent-Teacher-Facility Nights, revamping the orientation process for youth and parents, administering family feedback forms, and including families in the Krier Center’s Admission, Review and Dismissal Meetings.
Update (2024): Despite challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, the team remains focused on their original Capstone Project. Their Career and Technical Education (CTE) Specialist has taken over many of the services that were previously offered by community partners, as these partnerships have been strained by the impact of the pandemic. Current services include three vocational certificate programs (Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Food Handlers, and OSHA-10), the Merging 2 Worlds Curriculum, and classes on resume building, job applications, and career exploration. The team is also beginning a program called YouthBuild, where a community partner will teach youth in the facility basic construction skills; youth in this program will receive credit toward a journeyman's certification and monetary compensation. The team also continues to partners with East Central Independent School District to academically assess each youth and provide support for credit recovery, special education services, and 504 plans. The team hosts Parent/Teacher nights once a semester. Additionally, their Clinical team provides weekly DBT skills groups for parents, monthly family game nights, and a yearly Christmas dinner for families with youth in placement. The Krier Youth Council is also still active, giving youth the chance to impact programming, incentives, and facility-wide events.
Contacts:
Estefania "Stevie" Gonzales, Executive Director of Personnell & Coordinated Services, East Central I.S.D
Jayme Lyon, Clinical Manager, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department
Anne Thomas, Deputy Chief Clinical Services Institutions, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department *Note: Anne retired and is no longer involved in the Capstone work.
Tamara Vasquez, Assistant Facility Administrator, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department
Lynne Wilkerson, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Bexar County *Note: Anne retired and is no longer involved in the Capstone work.
Rose Zebell, Juvenile Division Chief, Bexar County DA's Office
Carlos Zuniga, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department
Hennepin County, Minnesota (2017 YIC)
Description: To improve your service model to meet the needs of all youth locally and individually by adopting a racial equality framework in their work with justice-involved youth and 1) partnering with youth, families and communities from intake through reentry, 2) improving screening, assessment and service matching, 3) developing an adaptive local continuum of care model, and 4) eliminating the use of large congregate facilities and out of county placements.
Contacts:
Angela (Angie) Cousins, Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation Division Manager, Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
Karen Kuglar, Area Director of Juvenile Services, Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
Monica Long, Corrections Program Manager, Hennepin County
Adesola Oni, Program Manager, JDAI/Deep End Coordinator, Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation
Raj Sethuraju, Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University
Cynthia (Cyndi) Slowiak, Human Services Area Manager, Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department
Stephen Turner, Corrections Unit, Supervisor Hennepin County
Angela Willms, Court Referee, 4th Judicial District
Cook County, IL (2016 YIC)
Description: Improve outcomes for youth held in custody on technical Violations of Probation (VOP) by adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to work with targeted youth, focusing on strength-based interventions, introducing the Effective Case Works (ECW) Case Management Model, and training probational staff on family engagement and cultural competency.
Contacts:
Virginia (Ginny) Caulfield, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Cook County Juvenile Court
David Flores, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Cook County Circuit Court
Amanda Halawa-Mahdi, LCSW, Cook County Juvenile Probation
Dwayne Johnson, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Cook County Juvenile Court
Donna Neal, Assistant Administrator, Department of Human Resources, Cook County Juvenile Probation
William Patterson, Director of Human Resources, Cook County Circuit Court Juvenile Probation
Maricopa County, Arizona (2015 YIC)
Description: To improve the residential treatment for non-sex offender youth in custody through:
strengthening family engagement
enhancing residential treatment process and outcomes
training for key partners
Contacts:
Kimberly Carroll, Mental Health Director, Maricopa County Juvenile Probation
Tad Gary, Chief Clinical Officer, Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care
Michaella Heslin, Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Maricopa County Juvenile Probation
Eric Meaux, Chief of Juvenile Probation, Maricopa Superior Court
Chris Phillips, Director, Office of the Public Advocate
Holli Ann Sanger-Alarco, Program Manager, Juvenile Justice Services - Administrative Office of the Court
Karrie Steving, Children's System of Care, Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care
Judge Joseph Welty, Superior Court Judge, State of Arizona
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2015 YIC)
Description: Improve the assessment and services provided for youth in the Philadelphia Prison System through the implementation of MAYSI-2, family engagement, and identification of effective treatment services.
Update (2016): Sharon has merged her Capstone Project with the 2016 YIC Philadelphia team, who are also working to improve the assessment and service matching process.
Contact: Sharon Smith, Social Work Service Manager, Philadelphia Prisons
Texas (2015 YIC)
Description: Increase the flexibility of youth scheduling and improve treatment services for youth in custody by:
developing two pilot programs for youth with a GED or high school diploma
The first pilot program will allow a few selective youth to engage in the community and seek off-campus employment instead of attending school
The second pilot program will identify youth with high treatment needs and provide them with more intensive treatment instead of attending school
reviewing facility and education policies to identify barriers to implementing the pilot programs
Update (2016): While the Capstone Project is in its nascent implementation phase, it has facilitated improvement in interagency collaboration and led to success for youth who have gone through the pilot programs. Preliminary TJJD data showed that youth’s participation in the Capstone Program at one facility is associated with 53 percent average decrease in behavioral incidents. Staff also reported an increase in youth engagement as a result of the pilot programs. The team’s work was featured at the American Correctional Association (ACA) Conference in Boston in 2016.
Contacts:
Judge Laura Parker, Judge, 386th District Court, Texas Juvenile Justice Department **Note: Laura is no longer involved in the Capstone work
Thomas Adamski, Director of Secure Facilities, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Chelsea Buchholtz, Chief of Staff, Juvenile Justice Department
Madeleine Byrne, Director of Treatment, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Jill Mata, General Counsel, Texas Juvenile Justice Department **Note: Jill is no longer involved in the Capstone work
Rebecca Walters, Director of Integrated State-Operated Programs, Texas Juvenile Justice Department
James Williams, Senior Director of Probation and Community Services, Texas Juvenile Justice Department **Note: James is no longer involved in the Capstone work
Sacramento County, California (2014 YIC)
Description: Create a more therapeutic housing environment and productive learning environment for youth who have been placed in the Special Needs Unit; Train staff in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy techniques; Hold bi-weekly meetings to discuss interventions being used for each resident; Explore opportunity for UC-Davis post-doctoral fellows and/or Regional Center to provide psychological services; Ensure that the teacher assigned to the unit has a Special Education license and hire an additional aide; Find a tool to use in order to identify residents for placement in the Special Needs Unit; Change the décor of the unit, add a sensory room, use stress balls.
Contacts:
Christopher Eldridge, Mental Health Program Coordinator - County of Sacramento, Division of Behavioral Health Services
Brad Marietti, Supervising Deputy Probation Officer - Sacramento County Probation Department
Patti McGowan, Assistant Probation Division Chief - Sacramento County Probation Department
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