Georgia

2009 MSI Athens, GA Participant

Contact:

Mary Hermann, Faculty - Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

Capstone Description:

Increase collaboration between the Georgia DJJ and the Department of Family and Child Services in order to eliminate gaps and overlaps of services.

2010 MSI (Public), Clayton County, GA Participant

Contact:

Adolphus Graves, Juvenile Detention Alternatives Coordinator - Clayton County Juvenile Court

*Note: Adolphus is no longer with Clayton County and is not involved in the Capstone Project.

Capstone Description:

Create a multi-disciplinary review/service/diversion process (based on an MOU) specifically for children under supervision of the local child welfare agency upon an initial allegation of delinquent behavior to address their needs and prevent juvenile justice system penetration.

2018 LGBTQ Fulton County, GA Team  

Contacts: 

Shanae Frazier, Clinician youthSpark, Inc.

Miriam Kirby, Social Services Coordinator Fulton County Juvenile Court

Sharnell Myles, Clinical Director youthSpark, Inc.

Capstone Description:

The Capstone team seeks to reduce discrimination, victimization, and criminalization of LGBTQ+ youth through assessing and enhancing the agencies' LGBTQ-inclusive culture and policies, collecting SOGIE information, providing ongoing LBTQ-related trainings, and engaging families and key stakeholders throughout the process.

2018 SJPD Fulton County, GA Team 

Contacts: 

Jacquelyn Anthony, Social Work Services Coordinator Atlanta Public School

Maribel Bell, Director of Student Discipline Fulton County Schools

Kathy Brown-Bragg, Director of Child and Adolescent Services Odyssey Family Counseling Center, Fulton Schools

Jackie Cathey, Coordinator of School Social Work Services Fulton County Schools

Shannon Hervey, Student Discipline Coordinator Atlanta Public Schools

Darrell McDaniel, Captain/Police Officer Fulton County Board of Education

Janesta Nairn, Probation Officer Fulton County Juvenile Court

Tedra Perkins, School Based Mental Health Program Coordinator Odyssey Family Counseling Center, Fulton Schools

Renata Turner, Judge Fulton County Juvenile Court

Capstone Description:

The Capstone Project focuses on reducing the number of students entering the school-to-prison pipeline by assessing students' needs and the needs of their families, connecting students to appropriate resources, and increasing protective interventions provided in schools and in the community.

Capstone Update (2020): 

The team has developed a trauma survey based on the ACEs study and is in the process of soliciting parental permission to allow student participation. In addition, protocols are put in place to link students to resources such as mentoring, tutoring, and school-based mental health services. Fulton County Schools and Atlanta Public Schools each conducted their own focus groups with students and parents to align support for the families; based on the focus groups' recommendations, the team has selected relevant staff trainings to implement, including trauma-responsive care, de-escalation techniques, self-care, classroom management, etc. Fulton County's partnership with YAP through the Safely Home grant is also integrated as part of the project to support court-involved youth in schools.