The House released its version of the biennial budget during the final days of March. A final House vote on the bill (including any amendments that may pass) is expected to occur in early April. The House budget provides funding to JJDP to support operations at the Dillon Juvenile Detention Center; additional operating funds and positions for the Rockingham Youth Development Center; and funding for personnel and operations at the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center. The House budget also gives an across-the-board salary increase of 4.25% in FY23-24, with an additional 3.25% in FY24-25. Additionally, the House budget furnishes a labor market adjustment salary reserve of just over $4 million each of the next two years for the Department of Public Safety to address specific staffing issues by providing targeted salary increases to recruit and retain employees.

The final report of the Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee (JJAC) recommended the institution of a step pay plan and compression relief for JJDP staff. I continue to draw attention with legislative leadership of this need for increased staff compensation, in hopes the JJAC recommendation will be included as part of the Senate’s budget proposal, which is anticipated to be completed within the coming weeks.

Staff recruitment efforts are continuing to be in high gear. On Saturday, March 25, JJDP hosted a very busy in-person hiring event at Central Office in Raleigh, with same-day interviews covering all types of facility positions -- youth counselor technician, youth services behavioral specialists, youth counselor, nurse, teacher and food service. More than 100 applicants attended the event in person, and 78 were recommended for hire.



I was invited by the News & Observer to submit an opinion piece regarding the increase we are seeing in juvenile crime, the reasons behind it, and my recommended solutions to the problem. Please click the link below to read my thoughts on this matter.

DPS has announced the implementation of a new referral bonus pilot program, incentivizing current staff to help recruit the next generation of employees.

DPS staff who refer new staff members for the following JJDP positions will receive a bonus of $1,000, with the potential to earn up to $5,000 by making five referrals:

• Juvenile Court Counselor
• Youth Counselor
• Youth Counselor Technician
• Youth Services Behavioral Specialist

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed April as Second Chance Month in North Carolina, and this month JJDP is focusing in on juvenile reentry and the many tools our division uses to help young people find second chances after making mistakes.

Throughout the month, follow DPS on social media for a series of stories on how the division prioritizes second chances for the youth in our care - from those reentering their communities after secure custody to those who never left home.

Second Chance Month Events

• April 10 - 14 - Second Chance Month Art Expression Showcase, JJDP Facilities
• April 12, 1 p.m. - Alexander JDC Art Expression Showcase
• April 19, 9 a.m. - Real World Simulation, Lenoir YDC
• April 19, 10 a.m. - VOLT Center Tour, 205 First St., New Bern
• April 21, 9 a.m. - Real World Simulation, Chatham YDC
• April 24, 10 a.m. - Pokket Reentry App Demonstration, Central Office (Also accessible via Webex)
• April 27, 9 a.m. - Real World Simulation, Edgecombe YDC

As JJDP celebrates Second Chance Month, it's also Child Abuse Prevention Month in North Carolina. Of the 15,740 at-risk and court involved juveniles JJDP served in FY22, 9% showed indications of neglect; 8% indicated a history of physical abuse; and 7% indicated a history of sexual abuse.

JJDP staff hosted a phenomenal hiring event Saturday, March 25, at the JJDP Central Office in Raleigh.

Attracting candidates from across the state for positions in all JJDP facilities, the event generated more than 240 applications, and 105 applicants attended in person.

Throughout the day, teams of interviewers and HR staff worked diligently to connect applicants with a variety of positions, including youth counselor technician, youth services behavioral specialist, youth counselor, nurse, teacher and food service. Of those who attended the event, 78 were recommended for positions.

A huge ‘thank you’ goes to the staff who helped make this event an overwhelming success!

The latest classes of Juvenile Justice Officers and Juvenile Court Counselors were recognized during a graduation ceremony at Central Office on March 27. Congratulations to these new graduates, and best of luck in your JJDP careers!

Juvenile Court Counselors

• Jason Barrino
• Njeri Bracy* 
• Clintoria Bryant 
• Isabella De La Rosa
• Emanuel Dunn* 
• Bridget Karcher 
• Tyanna Miller 
• Kelsey Perry 
• Pasquinucci Slade 
• Miguel Villalon 
• Machard Williams 
• Marcus Williams 
• Sean Williams

*These students achieved the highest scores on their final exams and graduated with honors.

Juvenile Justice Officers

• Keshanda Baskerville 
• Tiranee Blocker 
• Dekevia Cofield*
• Kristian Fitts 
• Virgil Hall 
• Todd Lamiman 
• Quanika Lofton 
• Fatima McDonald 
• Alesia McLean 
• Brandon Merritt 
• Jazire Notice 
• Mathew Richardson Jr. 
• Walter Rowe III 
• LiPrice Whitfield

This past month, JJDP staff joined youth services professionals from across the state at the North Carolina Juvenile Services Association Spring Conference in Greensboro. This three-day event offered attendees an opportunity to learn about the latest trends in juvenile justice, network with fellow professionals and strengthen partnerships that will help serve at-risk youth and families throughout North Carolina.

Throughout March, the DPS social media team aired a series of short Women's History Month videos focusing on female leaders within the department. Representing JJDP in these videos, Court Services Operations Manager Tasha Jones-Butts and JJDP Director for Reentry Services Nicole Sullivan shared their takes on Women's History Month and advice for the next generation of JJDP professionals.

Brittany Schott has been named JJDP’s new grants manager, effective April 3. She transfers to the Analysis, Research, and External Affairs unit of JJDP from the Community Programs section, where she served as the state contracts manager.

In her new role, Schott will serve as JJDP’s central point of contact on grants management issues, and will help the division’s grant project directors develop, implement and manage grant-funded projects. Skilled in project implementation and oversight, Schott first learned of the impact grants can have within the juvenile justice system through managing the OJJDP Second Chance Grant that funded the Reentry to Resilience program.

Schott joined JJDP in 2018 as a contracts administrator with Community Programs. She came to DPS from Youth Villages, where she worked for seven years as a family counselor, a clinical supervisor and compliance specialist for North Carolina’s Youth Villages programs. She worked prior to that in a therapeutic day treatment program in alternative schools and special education classrooms.

Schott holds a master’s degree in social work with a focus in community organization and public policy and has always upheld a passion for big picture impact on juvenile mental health and juvenile justice policy. 

Sara Brunner has been named Chief Court Counselor for Court Services District 27.

Brunner started her career with JJDP in 1995, as a juvenile court counselor co-op intern in District 27B, where her passion for working with youth and families was born. Following the completion of her co-op placement, she worked for Cleveland County DSS as a CPS investigator for two years.

Brunner returned to JJDP in 1998, where she worked in Cleveland County as a supervision and intake juvenile court counselor. She was promoted to chief court counselor in 2005 and served in that role until 2012. Following JJDP's consolidation with the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, she remained in District 27 as a court counselor supervisor, serving Cleveland and Lincoln County. Brunner began her duties as District 27 chief court counselor on March 6. 

Brunner earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science from UNCC and is a certified public manager with the state of North Carolina. She is an avid motorsports and college sports fan. She enjoys absolutely everything about a beach, most notably, fishing with her family on Hilton Head Island. Brunner, her husband and their daughters reside in Cleveland County.   

District 23 Chief Court Counselor Scott Perry retired effective March 31, closing out a 30-year career with the state. Perry's supervisors describe him as an excellent chief who was much loved by his staff. In addition to receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine upon retirement, Perry was also gifted a beautiful bass guitar by his District 24 colleagues during a retirement celebration March 22. Congratulations on retirement, Scott, and best wishes for happy days ahead!

Alexander Juvenile Detention Center held a staff appreciation event March 7, recognizing the facility’s staff, as well as JJDP Court Services staff who have stepped up to cover shifts at AJDC amidst ongoing staffing shortages. Thank you to all of our staff who give of themselves to help build brighter futures for North Carolina’s youth!

Joe Drinkwater is the most recent recipient of the WOW (West's Outstanding Worker) award in the Court Services Western Area. Joe is a Juvenile Court Counselor from District 24 in Madison County.

A 20-year veteran court counselor, Drinkwater's colleagues describe him as an outstanding and extremely knowledgeable court counselor, who constantly exceeds expectations and goes above and beyond for the juveniles and families on his caseload.

Pictured, from left to right, are District 24 Court Counselor Supervisor Mechelle Miller, Drinkwater and District 24 Chief Court Counselor John Troy Autry.

Youth at Chatham Youth Development Center recently had a special opportunity to engage their creativity through poetry, spoken word and creative writing workshops. Throughout March, the Charlotte-based nonprofit BreatheINK offered a series of 15 poetry modules, providing students lessons on language, writing and poetic structure. Youth then had the opportunity to share their original writing through spoken word performance.

Juvenile Court Services staff from District 1 held a “Guys With Ties” event March 16 at Chowan Middle School in Tyner. This event focused on building rapport with at-risk male youth, with volunteers teaching each participant how to tie a necktie.

With support from Edenton-Chowan Schools, law enforcement, municipal governments and volunteers from local businesses, the event had a nearly 1:1 ratio of students to adults, allowing for meaningful personal conversations about life skills and positive decision-making.

March was a full month in Court Services District 6, as staff made connections with community partners and local youth during a new School Justice Partnership Symposium and outreach to a local middle school.

On March 23, District Court Judge Teresa Freeman and Chief Court Counselor Sonynia Leonard partnered to host the district's inaugural School Justice Partnership Symposium.

The symposium primarily focused on the utilization of Teen Court and other diversionary resources. Other presenters included Assistant District Attorney Kanter Morris, Family Court Coordinator Danielle Moore, Bertie County Sheriff’s Office Captain Bonnie Brantley and Tracy Hyde, of Mobile Crisis.

Along with District 6 Court Services staff and area administration, attendees included representatives from local law enforcement agencies, school administrators, mental health providers, JCPC programs and a variety of community stakeholders. 

On March 24, District 6 staff hosted the Steps to Empowering Youth event at Bertie Middle School in Windsor, with more than 250 youth in attendance.

The theme for this year’s event was "Guns and Gang Violence and the Impact of Guns and Gangs on Families."

Presenters included Bertie County Sheriff Tyrone Ruffin; Special Agent Kyle Smith; Hertford County commissioners Andre Lassiter and Leroy Douglas; and Marcia Watford. Court Services staff in attendance were Chief Court Counselor Sonynia Leonard; Juvenile Court Counselors Martez Newkirk, Shabrayla Ward and Tamara Lassiter; and Administrative Associate Romona Partlow. 

District 8 Court Services staff participated in a fun-filled Easter egg hunt during their staff meeting this week. Court Counselor Jimmy Summers found the golden egg during the egg hunt, and the team ended the afternoon with ice cream sundaes.

District 21 Juvenile Court Counselor Penny Ayers will have a special companion join her this month as she travels to help fill shifts at C.A. Dillon Youth Development Center. Thanks to accommodations with the hotel where she is staying, Ayers will be able to bring her licensed therapy dog, Sadie, along for the duration of her week-long stay. Thank you, Penny, for helping at Dillon at a time when help is needed the most!

Youth at Cumberland Regional Juvenile Detention Center had the opportunity to express themselves in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, creating a variety of festive paintings. Thank you to Cumberland JDC teachers Patricia Dixon and Misha Fraser for giving students the chance to participate in this art therapy activity.

That same week, the youth also made special greeting cards in recognition of the holiday. These cards, which contained uplifting messages and kind words, were delivered to patrons of the Fayetteville-Cumberland Senior Center.

Central Office staff got in the St. Patrick's Day spirit March 17, holding an office-wide scavenger hunt. Prizes included a $50 gift card, a St. Patrick's Day Gift Basket and "gold" candy bars. Winners of the scavenger hunt were:

• 1st Place - Chris Baldwin
• 2nd Place - Karmen Turlington
• 3rd Place - Anecia Carr

Do you know a JJDP staff member who consistently goes above and beyond in their workplace or community?

Nominations for the 2023 Badge of Excellence Awards and Governor's Awards for Excellence are now open through April 13. Categories include: Customer Service; Efficiency and Innovation; Human Relations; Outstanding State Government Service; Public Service; Safety and Heroism; and Spirit of North Carolina.

JJDP promotions, retirements and passings are provided by DPS Human Resources on a monthly basis. Longer announcements on these topics may be sent to Matt Debnam for potential publication in the JJ Update. Please include a brief biography, a current photo of the honoree and their new job description if promoted.

The average daily caseload is 27.43 juveniles per juvenile court counselor. The average annual caseload is 42.22 juveniles per juvenile court counselor.

Please continue to send in stories, story ideas, and photos

from events in your area that we can share to 

Matt Debnam.

Thank you for your service.