DPS Dispatch

One Week at Camp Creates a Lifetime of Memories for Juveniles

It’s hard to imagine a child who’s never experienced the smell of a forest while standing in the middle of a host of majestic trees swaying in the breeze; never experienced the sound of lake waves lapping onto the shore; or felt the joy of overcoming a fear of heights in front of their peers. That’s the case with many juveniles housed in state youth development centers or juvenile detention centers. However, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, more than 40 juveniles enjoyed (some for the first time) a camping experience at Camp Willow Run in Littleton during the week of May 29-June 3.

Re-Entry To Resilience Model Presented at the NC Re-entry Conference

Second chances are important for both adults and juveniles who have been involved in the criminal justice system.

Interns Leave Lasting Re-Entry Solutions for Older Juveniles

How many college interns can say their projects can leave a lasting impact on future youth as they re-enter society after spending time in the state juvenile justice system? Hannah Ridgeway and Julia Husk can say a definitive “Yes,” though neither gave that much of a thought during their recent internship with the Community Programs section of the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Court Counselors Show Youth They Care

Juvenile court counselors from New Hanover County (District 5) helped organize and participated in a joint staff and youth day with the New Hanover County “Elements” team at the Coastal Horizons Center rope course.

Dr. Michael Williams to be Honored by National Alliance of Black School Educators

The National Alliance of Black School Educators has selected Juvenile Justice Student Transition Counselor Dr. Michael Tyrone Williams as the 2021 W.E.B. DuBois Higher Education Award recipient. Dr. Williams will receive the award at the NABSE annual conference Nov. 13 in Los Angeles. 

Juvenile Education Goals No Different Inside a Facility Than Out

The school year is well underway with challenges brought forth by the pandemic and in-person vs. remote learning. 

From Dillon to Doctorate, O’Key Strives to Make a Difference

Michael O’Key is one of millions who walked onto a college campus this fall. However, his journey to get there was far from typical.

Facility Fun Day for Staff and Juveniles

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has not provided many outlets for fun for juveniles and staffers within Juvenile Justice’s secure custody facilities.

Lenoir YDC’s Dr. Eric Barnes Named JJ Teacher of the Year

Dr. Eric Barnes was surprised and honored when he was notified of his selection as the Juvenile Justice section’s 2021 Teacher of the Year.

Reading, Access to Books a Passion for Edgecombe YDC’s Temple Evans

Margaret McNamara, wife of then-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, helped launch Reading is Fundamental (RIF) in 1966 after discovering children at a Washington, D.C. school did not have books of their own to read. She wanted reading to be a fun part of everyday life.

Partnership with UNC Pediatrics a Win-Win for Juvenile Justice

When C.A. Dillon Youth Development Center in Butner was closed in 2016 as part of the 2014 Juvenile Justice Strategic Plan, youths housed at Dillon were relocated into the newly reopened Edgecombe Youth Development Center.

The Role of the Reentry to Resilience Program

Research has identified seven critical domains where children returning to their communities following involvement in the juvenile justice system face challenges and opportunities when it comes to the likelihood of continued or future involvement in the criminal justice system.

Proper Preparation Critical to Juvenile’s Reentry Success

The North Carolina Juvenile Justice Section is continually increasing and improving opportunities available for juveniles to return to their communities following commitment in youth development centers.

Three Reasons Reentry Programming for Juveniles Matters

The North Carolina Juvenile Justice section is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency through intervening, educating and treating youth to strengthen families and increase public safety.

Lenoir YDC Director’s CPR Efforts Appreciated by Family

Tangi Jordan doesn’t know why she stopped her car in the rain and cold Feb. 18 morning on her way to work at the Lenoir Youth Development Center in Kinston. She just saw someone who needed help.