The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Highlights a Year of Milestones, Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 27, 2023

CONTACT:
DJJ Communications Office
news@fldjj.gov                                            
(850) 921-5900

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) highlights its significant achievements from this past year reaffirming its commitment to public safety and standing as a national leader for juvenile justice systems.

“The successes achieved this year are a testament to our entire team’s dedication to providing the very best outcomes for Florida’s youth and families,” said DJJ Secretary Eric Hall. “It also demonstrates the strong vision and mission-driven purpose, as set forth by the leadership and support of Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, our team has in making sure we are doing all we can to build safer, stronger communities. I am very proud of all we have accomplished to ensure a better future for all of Florida.”

The year began with the launch of the department’s new strategic plan, Pathway to Impact [ Adobe PDF Document ]. In addition to presenting an evidence-based blueprint for Florida’s juvenile justice system and strategic priorities for the future, Pathway to Impact identifies two primary objectives: to prevent juvenile justice system contact for Florida’s youth and reduce recidivism for youth that already have juvenile justice system involvement. To achieve these objectives, Pathway to Impact is centered on four cornerstones of service excellence, which include building a world-class and talented team that ensures a culture of excellence, implementing evidence-based practices, utilizing data-informed decision-making, and emphasizing youth achievement and post-secondary success. In keeping with its commitment to data-informed decision-making across the juvenile justice service continuum, the department released a series of reports this year, including analyses on case processing times, prosecution of serious juvenile offenses, and outcomes for first-time juvenile offenses in Florida.

The department’s year in review also includes other notable achievements and initiatives that celebrate the strong foundation laid and set the stage for continued innovation and success in the future.

Creation of the Florida Scholars Academy

This year, thanks to the support of Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, the Florida Scholars Academy was created. A first of its kind, the Florida Scholars Academy is a unified school system within DJJJ’s residential commitment programs. The Florida Scholars Academy will serve as a national model with a focus on improving outcomes for youth through individualized educational pathways and will help youth in DJJ’s care attain a high school or high school equivalency diploma, receive industry-recognized credentials, and enroll in a postsecondary program of study at a Florida college, university, or technical college. The department recently announced that Florida Virtual School will serve as the education service provider for the Florida Scholars Academy to provide in-person instruction to students.

First Lady Casey DeSantis Expands the Hope Florida Model to Support Youth and Families Served by DJJ

DJJ joined First Lady Casey DeSantis in March 2023 to announce the launch of Hope Florida – A Pathway to Potential expanding services to youth at-risk and their families.  Hope Florida – A Pathway to Potential is fully operational and includes Hope Navigators deployed statewide within DJJ who are directly involved in supporting youth by connecting them and their families with resources that can provide support for various issues, both immediate and longer term. Services are available statewide and include help for parents and guardians who are dealing with personal matters at home, including youth who are habitually truant from school, running away from home, forming negative relationships, and being negatively influenced by peers.

First Lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Announce $1 Million Investment to Expand Mentoring Services for Florida’s Youth

First Lady Casey DeSantis and DJJ announced an additional $1 million investment to enhance and expand evidenced-based mentoring services for Florida’s youth. Last year, the department’s One Mentor, One Child initiative was launched to build a statewide mentoring network to serve Florida’s youth in their local communities. Since that time, the need for mentors has increased. This additional $1 million investment will allow more youth to be matched with dedicated mentors who can serve as positive role models in their lives.

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Hosts School Assemblies in all Florida’s 67 Counties on the Lethal Dangers of Substance Abuse, a Component of The Facts. Your Future. Campaign

The department reached a significant milestone this year in hosting school assemblies in all of Florida’s 67 counties to echo the message of The Facts. Your Future., First Lady Casey DeSantis’ multi-faceted, scientifically based campaign focused on providing Florida youth with information on the dangerous and life-altering effects of substance abuse. In collaboration with the Florida Department of Health, a total of 82 school assemblies were hosted and approximately 46,000 students were educated about the dangerous impacts of drugs and alcohol.

First Lady Casey DeSantis and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Honor 2023 DJJ Youth Ambassadors on Youth Success Day

First Lady Casey DeSantis along with DJJ, the Florida Youth Foundation, and the Florida Juvenile Justice Association honored the 2023 DJJ Youth Ambassadors in celebration of Youth Success Day. Youth Success Day is recognized every year by DJJ and its partners to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of youth in the state of Florida. DJJ Youth Ambassadors are youth who have turned their lives around for the better after contact with the juvenile justice system or have participated in prevention programs for children at risk of entering the system. These ambassadors will serve as role models for other youth throughout the state.

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and Partners Honor Everyday Heroes

DJJ and its direct-support organization the Florida Youth Foundation were joined by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and the Florida Lottery to honor dedicated educators and outstanding staff with Everyday Heroes Awards. Everyday Heroes is an awards program that celebrates outstanding educators and exceptional DJJ and DJJ-contracted provider professionals who exceed expectations and enrich the lives of the youth and families they serve. The categories of winners included Juvenile Justice Teacher of The Year, Juvenile Probation Officer of the Year, Juvenile Detention Officer of the Year, Provider Staff of the Year, and Support Services Staff of the Year.

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