Colleagues in the Spotlight

Have information to share about any of our members? Know of recent births, marriages, promotions, awards, etc? If yes, please let us know. Send information to: memberhighlights@vjja.org

Charlene Ward, Capital District member, has earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and launched directly into a course of study leading to a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. As part of her undergraduate studies, Charlene volunteered at United Methodist Family Services. She also completed internships ith Henrico Mental Health Prevention Unit and Richmond Midnight Basketball League. She will spend the duration of her graduate studies interning with the Center for Psychological Services and Development (CPSD). Charlene is currently employed as the Executive Secretary Senior to the Department of Juvenile Justice’s Division of Institutions.

Members Andy Cohen, roboCUFF, and Todd Porter, BI Incorporated, announce a recent agreement through which BI will sell, service and support roboCUFF Voice Supervision Services under the BI brand names: BI VoiceID(R) powered by roboCUFF Voice Curfew Monitoring and BI Self Report(TM) powered by roboCUFF Voice Self Reporting. The agreement creates new opportunities for both BI and AnyTransactions to accelerate growth and provide innovative,
cost-effective, high-value services to community supervision agencies. AnyTransactions and BI continue to operate as independent companies, each serving customers directly, and VA DJJ Court Service Units can continue to order roboCUFF services under existing contracts. View Press Release: BI Announces Agreement with AnyTransactions, Inc. for roboCUFF Voice
Supervision Services, June 9, 2008, at:www.robocuff.com/brochures (June 2008)

Way to go Katherine Farmer! Katherine has been promoted to a Program Contract Monitor with the Department of Juvenile Justice's Division of Community Programs. She was previously a Probation Officer with the 14th District Court Service Unit -Henrico. Katherine has also been employed by the Department of Correctional Education and the Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center (June 2008)

Kudos to long time member Betty Dixon on her recent milestone birthday and on her new position. After more than 15 years with Family Preservation Services / Providence, Betty has join the management team of the National Counseling Group. (April 2008)

Congratulations to our colleagues in the City of Petersburg -- to include VJJA Capital District Members Frances Brown, Petersburg Court Service unit Director, The Honorable Judge James Hume, Petersburg J&DR Court, and Eric Campell, former Petersburg Assistant City Manager (now Assistant City Manager in Charlotte, NC). Their leadership has led to the Supported Alternatives for Our Valued Youth (SAVY), an initiative of the City of Petersburg, has been recognized by the national group the Alliance for Innovation. Each year the group presents awards for outstanding acheivement in local government innovation. The 2008 awards will be officially presented in a ceremony at the 2008 Transforming Local Government Conference, scheduled for Greenville, SC, in June. Petersburg Court Service Unit Director Frances Brown serves as SAVY Chair and will travel to the event to accept the award on behalf of the SAVY team. SAVY, which is a second generation effort that grew out of the city's involvement with the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) was selected for the honor from a competative field of more than 80 entries. (April 2008)

Congratulations to Lloyd Merchant and his wife on the birth of their second child, Josiah. Josiah joined proud big sister Janiah. Lloyd is a Senior Probation Office with the Roanoke Court Service Unit. (April 2008)

The Honorable Teena Grodner, The Honorable Jay Dugger, Retired Judge Kimberly O'Donnell, Lelia Hopper, John Tuell, Beth Stinnett, Robert Bermingham, Jr., and Kim Koeppen are among the esteemed faculty announced for the 71st Annual Conference of the National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ).

Congratulations to long time member Natalie Dalton on her new position with Psychiatric Solutions. Natalie joins the private sector after 12 years with the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Go Julie Truitt!! Julie, (Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Sevices ), has been selected to participate in the Class of 2008 Minority Political Leadership Institute (MPLI). Through her participation Julie will be connected with esteemed members of our elected local, state and federal governments, particularly the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Foundation. She will also be exposed to the operatoional dynamics of campaigning, fundraising, lobbying, and the significance of the impact the media has in political life. (March 2008)

Congratulations to Patricia Davis on her promotion to Probation Supervisor in the 28th Court Service Unit (Abingdon, Bristol, Marion). Prior to her promotion Patricia was a Probation Officer in Bristol and a Senior Probation Officer in Washington County. (In fact -- hired in September 1973, she was Bristol's first female Probation Officer). A Certified Substance Abuse Counselor (CSAC) Patricia holds a Master's Degree in Crminal Justice.

Congratulations to Beth Stinnett on the professional milestone of 15 years employment with the Commonwealth of Virginia. Beth has been employed by the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for nearly 13 years. Prior to that time she was employed by the Department of Corrections.

Welcome to the following new Probation Officers with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice: Cecelia Brown, Alexandria, Deanna Bunton, Accomac, Dorothy Greer, Chesterfield, Damaris Feleke, Arlington, Deshaun Foster, Hampton, Susan Funk, Virginia Beach, Mia Moore, Hampton, Katrina Oates, Fredericksburg, Jeremy Patterson, Norfolk, Detrina Pendarvis, Richmond, Hao Pera, Arlington, Jeffrey Renner, Chesterfield, Erik Wiggins, Fredericksburg.

Congratulations to Deshaun Foster, Hampton Probation Officer, on the completion of his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy University.

Kudos to Vickie Jennings who was promoted to Probation Supervisor in the Lynchburg Court Service Unit. Prior to that time Vickie was a Probation Officer.

Karen Rice, Roanoke Probation Officer, had an editorial, "Don't Let Medication Replace Parenting", published in the Roanoke Times. Read the article online: http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/commentary/wb/154233 (March 2008)

Kudos to Norfolk CSU Director Claudette Overton and Norfolk CSU Deputy Director Antonio Sutton who have each been tapped for the inaugural class of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Applied Leadership Network (ALN). Their selection was as a result of their significant leadership in Norfolk's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), Claudette and Antonio were selected from among juvenile justice leaders from throughout the country. Leadership teams in only seven localities were chosen for the the honor. (March 2008)

Robert Hiatt is to be congratulated on his recent promotion to Probation Supervisor at the Martinsville Court Service Unit.

Congratulations to Kevin Curling, Tidewater Member, who has been named the VA Department of Juvenile Justice's Eastern Region Probation Officer of the Year. Kevin is employed as a Probation Officer in the agency's Chesapeake Court Service Unit. (March 2008)

Congratulations to the following new officers of the Virginia Detention Association of Post-Disposition Programs (VDAPP): Melinda Jarvis, President, Sara Jones, Vice President; Tammy Kruger, Secretary; and Pam Jeffries, Treasurer.

Rebecca (Moore) Stuart, Roanoke County Court Service Unit / VJCCCA, and her husband Jacob, welcomed their first child, a son, Andre'. (February 2008)

Elizabeth Williams McClure has accepted a position as an Adult Probation Officer with the Department of Corrections' Probation & Parole District #17 in Abingdon. (January 2008)

Kudos to Blue Ridge member Brian Harvey, Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Home, on his recent promotion to Treatment Program Manager. (January 2008)

Special thanks to Thomas Minnick, President and CEO of the National Counseling Group and his staff for their support and many contributions to the 31st Fall Juvenile Justice Instititute. NCG served as the event's Platinum Partner. Thanks as well to our Silver Level sponsor Stepping Stone Family Services and to Bronze Level sponsors Family Preservation Services, the Hughes Center for Exceptional Children, the Judge Rontenberg Center, Kidlink Referral Network (Keystone), and Liberty Point Health Care.

Go Gayle Turner! Correction ... Gayle L. Turner, MBA! In addition to serving as the Director of the Chesterfield Court Service Unit, Gayle found time this year to complete a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree through the University of Phoenix.

Congratulations to Darcy Janson on her recent promotion to Probation Officer Senior. Darcy is employed by the 28th District Court Service Unit - Washington County. (January 2008)

Joanne Smith is to be congratulated on the occasion of her retirement from the position of Executive Director at the Middle Peninsula Juvenile Detention Commission / Merrimac Center in Williamsburg. Joanne is also stepping down after many years of exceptional leadership as the President of the Virginia Council on Juvenile Detention (VCJD). Prior to her retirement, Joanne was honored before her peers at the 31st Fall Juvenile Justice Institute and presented VJJA's 2007 Meritorious Award in the Area of Residential Services. (January 2008).

Congratulations to Peterbsurg CSU Director, Frances Hayes Brown, on her most recent educational milestone. Frances completed a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice thorugh the University of Cincinnati.

Congratulations to Tom Gooding, Williamsburg CSU Director, and Frances Brown, Petersburg CSU Director, for strutting their stuff and winning the TWIST CONTEST at the 31st Fall Institute Dance Social. Congrats as well to twist contest runner ups, David Lively, Portsmouth, and Karen Anders, Christiansburg, FLAT FOOTIN' Champion Sheila Parker, Rockbridge CSA, and runners up Shirley Thompson, Samantha Higgins, and Amy Darby all from the 25th District CSU.

Past VJJA Scholarship Winner, Julie Truitt, Department of Mental Health,. Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Servises (DMHMRSAS), is to be congratulated on the completion of a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree through the University of Central Michigan.

Karen Rice, formerly of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healtcare and the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Home, has joined the staff of the Roanoke Court Servcie Unit. She completed Basic Skills for New Probation Officers in January.

After working in the private sector, Jason Bickmore, has returned to the Loudoun Court Service Unit as a Probation Officer. He completed Basic Skills for New Probation Officers in January.

Previously employed at the Culpeper JCC, Clinton White has joined the staff of the Charlottesville CSU. He completed Basic Skills for New Probation Officers in January.

The Department of Juvenile Justice welcomed the following new Probation Officers who completed Probation Officer Basic SKills during the month of January: Ebony Davis, Chesapeake CSU, Dana Barnett, Nikia Williams and Kayla Wolford, Virginia Beach CSU, John Konkel, Accomac CSU, Terrell Jackson, Petersburg CSU, Antoinette Sherman and Angela Williams, Richmond CSU, Clinton White, Charlottesville CSU, Leiilani Page and Caitlin Tracy, Arlington CSU, Jason Bickmore and Wendy Pineda, Loudoun CSU, Brady Buckles, Amanda Harmon and DeMarcus Wood, Manassas CSU, Karen Rice, Roanoke CSU, and Bradford Johnson, Grundy CSU. (January 2008)

Blue Ridge District member Rhianna Price, Salem Court Service Unit, and her husband Randy welcomed their first child, a son Dylan Scott (January 2, 2008).

Happy Retriement Jim! VJJA Board Member Jim Woolf, retired on January 1, 2008, from the Virginia Beach Court Service Unit. Jim also stepped down from his post as VJJA Vice President after more than a decade. We wish him well in his retirement. (January 2008)

Tidewater Member Shauna Franklin Epps has retired from the Department of Juvenile Justice. Shauna worked for the Hampton Court Service Unit for many years, but was most recently the VADJJ's statewide Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Coordinator. Though retired from the VADJJ, Shauna will not be leaving the juvenile justice field, but rather beginning employment with the Center for Children's Law and Policy as their DMC Policy Specialist, located in their Washington, DC, office. Her work will be supported through a grant from the MacArthur Foundation's Models for Change initiative and she will be focusing on DMC issues in Louisiana and Pittsburg (January 2008).

Members Scott Reiner (VADJJ Division of Community Programs) and Jared Miller (VADJJ Research & Evaluation), together with colleague Tripti Gangal, authored an article entitled, "Public Safety Outcomes of Virginia's Detention Assessment Instrument". The article was published in the Juvenile & Family Court Judge Journal, Summer 2007 edition. (December 2007)

Congratulations to members Alan Hullette (Superintendent, Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention), Colleen French (Superintendent, New River Valley Juvenile Detention), and Tim Smith (Superintendent, Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Detention), who have been elected to leadership posts with the Virginia Council on Juvenile Detention (VCJD). (December 2007)

Go Mike Sawyer! (Tidewater District) Mike was just named the Deputy Director of the 2nd Court Service Unit - Virginia Beach. Previously Mike was employed by the Tidewater Regional Group Home Commission. Mike is a former member of the VJJA Board of Directors (December 2007).

Kudos to Greg Sampson, (Tidewater District), on his recent promotion. Greg just accepted the position of Probation Supervisor with the 13th District CSU - Richmond. Previously he was a Probation Officer with the 9th CSU - Yorktown. (November 2007)

Congratulations to Olymphia Perkins! (Tidewater District) Olymphia has been selected Director of the 2nd Court Service Unit in Virginia Beach. Previously Olymphia was a Probation Supervisor in the VA Beach office. She has also worked for the 7th District CSU in Newport News and has more than 21 years experience in juvenile justice. (November 2007)

Tidewater District Officer, Patrick DeLauder, Portsmouth CSU, just celebrated the careeer milestone of 30 years with the Commonwealth of Virginia. (October 2007)

Kudos to Tina Kilby on her recent promotion. Previously with the Norfolk Court Service Unit, Tina is now an Intake Supervisor with the Virginia Beach Court Service Unit.

Congratulations to Capital District Member, Caroel Selby, of the Department of Juvenile Justice's Certification Unit (a former State Officer and VJJA Board of Directors Member) on his impending retirement. Caroel will retire on 1/1/2008 after more than 35 years of employment with the Commonwealth of Virginia. We wish him well (November 2007).

Kudos to Julie Truitt (Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Sevices ) and Anne Clifford (Culpeper CSU) who each won $500 professional development scholarships during the 31st Fall Juvenile Justice Institute. (November 2007)

Go Katharine Hunter! Katharine has accepted a position with the Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Sevices (DMHMRSAS) and will focus her efforts on Mental Health programming in Virginia's Secure Detention facilities. She will be leaving her position as an Expeditor with the Richmond Juvenile Court / Children's Justice Center. (November 2007)

Demian Futterman is to be congratulated on his new position as Grant Monitor with the Department of Criminal Justice Services. Demian until recently was employed in the North Carolina Juvenile Justice system. He also previously worked as the Census Manager at the Norfolk Detention Home. Congrats and welcome back to Virginia! (November 2007)

Capital District member Kyle McMahon has a new job. He will be working as a Program Manager for Intercept Youth Services. Kyle was until recently employed by Family Focus. Prior to that he was a Probation Officer in the cities of Roanoke and Richmond. (October 2007)

Past President Tom Currier's son Aaron was married to Mandy Kehl in September. The marriage took place in Hellertown, PA on the 18th green of the Silver Creek Country Club. The couple will make their home in Wilmington, NC. (September 2007)

Capital District member Bryan Carver has been promoted to Assistant Director Field Investigations (SWVA), with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation's Compliance and Investigations Division.

Not to be outdone by Ms. Grimm, Blue Ridge District Secretary Susan Farmer reports that she recently found and rescued the love of her life on the 15th hole of Hanging Rock Golf Course. Meet Callaway. (September 2007)

One of the most influential defenders of children in the U.S. lives in Virginia. So why haven't you heard of him? Read The Quiet Advocate to learn more (September 2007)

Tidewater District Vice Chair Katherine Grimm, a Portsmouth CSU Supervisor, has a new guy in her life -- see photo (September 2007)

Congratulations to Tidewater District member Sarah Wray and her husband David who just welcomed their first child, Grace Elizabeth Wray. Sarah is a Parole Officer with the Portsmouth Court Service Unit. (September 2007)

The warmest of wishes to longtime Tidewater District member and VJJA Board of Directors member Jim Woolf, a CSU Deputy Director in VA Beach, on the occasion of his 65^th Birthday! (September 2007)

Congratulations to Northern district member, Kaye Wallace, on her recent promotion. Formerly the Family Abuse Officer at the Loudoun Court Service Unit, Kaye recently assumed the position of Criminal Justice Analyst for Loudoun County. Ms. Wallace also serves as the Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART) Coordinator for Loudoun Co. (August 2007)

VJJA President Beth Stinnett and Tidewater District members the Honorable Judge Jerrauld Jones and Dotty Kello (Norfolk CSU Deputy Director) were among the presenters at the mandatory Statewide Judicial Conference held in Virginia Beach (August 2007).

Tidewater District Vice Chair Katherine Grimm, a Portsmouth CSU Supervisor, has a new guy in her life -- see photo (September 2007)

Congratulations to Tidewater District member and state Board of Directors member Diane Floyd (now Diane Shelton), a Virginia Beach CSU Supervisor, on her recent nupituals. (August 2007)

Portsmouth Probation Supervisor Katherine Grimm, who serves as VJJA’s Tidewater District Vice Chair is going to jail to help fight muscular disease! Help keep her out of jail (or if you chose keep her IN jail). Learn more here.

VJJA Director of Membership Samantha Higgins is sporting a new hairdo after donating several inches of hair to the "Locks of Love" program while participating in a Relay for Life event in Rockbridge County. (August 2007)

Longtime member Rodney Hubbard and wife Debbie have a new grandchild. The father of 5 sons -- the Hubbard 5 – they welcomed their third granddaughter. (July 2007)

Way to go Kevin Sutton! (Capital District member) Kevin has been named one of two new Probation Supervisors at the 12th District Court Service Unit - Chesterfield. (July 2007)

Congratulations to Valley District member Anne Clifford on her recent promotion to Senior Probation Officer for the 16th Court Service Unit - Charlottesville. (July 2007)

Always the entrepreneur, Tidewater district member, Don Willis, has launched a new business - Village Events LTD. Check out his latest venture here: www.villageevents.org

Capital District member Jennifer Julian is to be congratulated on her recent promotion to Probation Supervisor in the 12th District Court Service Unit - Chesterfield. (July 2007)

VJJA President Beth Stinnett recently spoke at the National Association of Counties (NaCO) annual conference. She presented a workshop entitled, "Breaking the Cycle of Recidivism Before It Starts". She was joined in her presentation by the Honorable Judge Jay Dugger, Hampton J&DR Court. (July 2007)

Congratulations to Tidewater District member Sean Milner who has been named Director of the 2A Court Service Unit - Accomac. (July 2007)

Having trouble keeping up with the upwardly mobile, Amy Morgan (Blue Ridge District Member)? Amy is to be congratulated once more after being named Assistant Superintendent at the Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center. Prior to her recent appointment, Amy was the Director of Sanctuary Crisis Intervention Center in Roanoke. (June 2006)