Department of Youth Services' Newsletter
| May 2022 Edition
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Dear Colleagues,
You have heard from me, and I have heard from many of you over the last few weeks about the recent horrific mass shootings involving communities of color. These events have a devastating impact on the communities involved as well as the fabric of our nation. At DYS we acknowledge the pain and suffering and condemn the actions of the perpetrators as well as the narratives that support violence and hatred.
While we cannot escape the weight of these tragedies, there have been bright spots this month that remind us of the value and importance of the work we do and its impact on youth and their families. In particular, we have celebrated the commitment and hard work of our staff at our Years of Services' celebrations. We have also had fantastic conversations with staff, youth and our juvenile justice partners introducing DYS' 2022-2024 Strategic Plan. And significantly, we felt some sort of "normalcy" with our hybrid, in person and virtual, Youth Arts Showcase.
DYS' Executive Team has been going around to each region attending shift changes to provide an overview of our new strategic plan to all staff. If you have not yet had a chance to hear from us, we are coming your way! In the meantime, see below the Department's Mission, Vision, and Values that align with the times we live in and the population we serve.
Our Mission:
The Department of Youth Services fosters positive outcomes for youth, builds safer communities, and collaborates for an equitable and fair justice system.
Our Vision:
We envision a Commonwealth in which every young person has the skills, supports, and resources necessary to engage safely with their communities, and lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Our Values:
Fairness:
We value fairness in our treatment of youth in our care, their families and community supports, and our staff and partners. We support increased fairness across all aspects of our justice system through strong and transparent relationships with our partners and collaborators.
Transparency: We believe that the processes by which we make our consequential decisions matter, and we are open and forthcoming about what information is informing our decisions, and who is the final authority.
Racial Equity: We believe that racial equity is the condition that would be achieved if our racial identities no longer predicted how we fare in life. Achieving this state requires absolute elimination of all policies, practices, attitudes and cultural messages that lead to differential outcomes by race. We strive to ensure that the impacts of our work reduce and mitigate racial and other disparities within DYS, within our communities, in our justice system, and beyond.
Integrity: We value honesty, fair processes, and full accountability for our actions.
Our new goals and objectives include ensuring that we are investing in sustaining a Healthy, Agile, and Excellent Organization, where staff feel valued and supported so that every youth committed to DYS’ care or custody has the personalized support they need to successfully and safely live, learn, and work in their communities; , and collaborating with partners on behalf of a more equitable, fair, and supportive Juvenile Justice System
Thank you to our staff for supporting our efforts and offering up their time to help us achieve these goals.
As a reminder, we are still being impacted by COVID-19. The increase in diagnosed cases has increased the number of our youth on quarantine and the number of staff who are out sick. We will continue to do whatever it takes to keep our youth and staff healthy and safe.
I hope you and all your families are exercising self-care, and that you stay healthy and enjoy this beautiful weather.
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Best Regards,
Cecely Reardon
Acting Commissioner
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2022 Youth Arts Rally & 9th Annual "Share Your Art, Share Your Voice" Youth Arts Showcase |
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2022 Youth Arts State House Rally
For the second year in a row, youth in our care and custody actively engaged members of the Massachusetts Legislature, virtually, during DYS' annual State House Arts Rally in April. During these virtual visits, our youth had the opportunity to extend personal invitations to State Senators and Representatives, and their staff, to our 9th Annual Arts Showcase.
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The youth and legislators also took time to get to know one another and discuss their love for the arts.
Senator Adam Gomez and DYS youth, Avonte, had a great conversation about Avonte's future, hopes, and dreams, including his plans to start college classes next semester.
Avonte and DYS staff, appreciated the Senator’s willingness to tell his own personal story about his experience with the criminal justice system. Despite his challenges, Senator Adam Gomez became the first Puerto Rican and first Afro-Latino state senator in Massachusetts' history. His story, like many others, prove to our youth that their past actions do not have to define their present or future.
Thanks to everyone who made this day possible- our youth truly appreciate the conversations and relationships they made during this event.
9th Annual "Share Your Art, Share Your Voice" Youth Arts Showcase
On Thursday May 19, 2022, DYS held its 9th annual “Share Your Art, Share Your Voice” Youth Arts Showcase.
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The hybrid event was held in person and virtually from the WGBH Studios in Boston, MA. Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, Acting Commissioner Cecely Reardon, DYS staff, youth, families, Massachusetts state legislators, community partners and state agency officials attended the event.
Those who attended the event in-person had the opportunity to visit the three galleries: the traditional Art Gallery, a new blacklight & projection gallery, and a gallery with recorded performances. DYS’ Five Visual Arts Leaders, representing each of DYS’ geographic regions
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of operation led tours of the galleries. Over 300 pieces of youth art were on exhibit and for sale, with all proceeds going directly back to the youth artists.
The pre-recorded performances featured a youth interview with Acting Commissioner Reardon, performances from youth across the Commonwealth and a special guest appearance by Dwayne Betts who has crafted poetry and essays that explore the world of prison and the effects of violence and incarceration on American society. Other pre-recorded performances included a rap performance, poetry reading, and a crochet tutorial involving DYS youth statewide.
Read full press release here.
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DYS Celebrates Employees at Years of Service Ceremonies |
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The Department of Youth Services celebrated its employees’ dedication to working with youth in our care and custody with the Years of Service Award Ceremonies in the Central, Western, and Central Regions.
Celebrations included recognition of our first -year employees and acknowledgements of staff who had worked for the Department for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. This year, DYS brought in an audio/visual team to provide a hybrid experience via zoom for those who wished to attend virtually.
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The program for the ceremonies included an introduction from the DYS Central Office Executive Staff, with the opening remarks given by the Chief Financial Officer, and our favorite Emcee, Matt Cole. Assistant Commissioner Luz Valverde shared her thoughts and congratulated the employees. Acting Commissioner Cecely Reardon spoke to the recipients on their dedication to working with youth for DYS. Chief of staff Thula Sibanda, along with the Deputy Commissioners Margaret Chow-Menzer and Ruth Rovezzi handed out the awards to those in person and congratulated those who were attending virtually. To conclude the awards ceremonies, Acting General Counsel Stacey Bloom spoke about her experiences with working in DYS and closed by adding up all the years of service of the regional celebrants and arriving at totals ranging from hundreds to more than a thousand years of service that staff have invested in helping our youth be successful.
The Years of Services ceremonies give us the opportunity to formally show our appreciation for the commitment staff have made to our agency and to the work in supporting positive outcomes for the youth in our care and custody. We look forward to celebrating our employees in the Southeast and Metro Regions next week.
Thank you to our employees for your years of service. And a huge shout out to the Years of Services Committee: Chairwoman Michele Phillips, Kristen Reilly, Lisa Astorino, Noelle Champoux-Olson, Kaitlin Hughes, Sandra Semas, Dorinda Korlacki, Stacey Rothrock, Dayna Penny, Monique Davis, and Charlotte Williams.
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This year, the Department of Youth Services celebrated 371 employees and their years of services with our agency. Out of the 371, 112 of the employees have been with the department between one and three years. Our second largest category included 77 employees who have been with the Department for 5 years, followed by 24 employees with 10 years, l100 employees with 15 and 20 years, 34 with 25 years, 19 employees with 30 years, and 4 employees with 35 years. Of note, we had 1 employee who was recognized for 40 years with the Department of Youth Services -- Congratulations to Deputy Commissioner Ruth Rovezzi! |
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Health and Wellness Corner |
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Culinary Diversity in the Southeast Region |
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In the March newsletter, you read about DYS’ Dietician WaiLing Balsley and Director of Communications Katy Laverriere’s visit with Metro Region's Food Service Supervisor, Jason DiMare. This month, WaiLing and Katy spent the afternoon in Brewster, visiting with the Southeast Region's food service staff, Derek Rozelle and Eric Stallworth.
Derek and Eric walked them through each step to make Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Coconut rice and peas and grilled pineapple mango salsa.
Before the visit, Derek took part in an interview where WaiLing and Katy learned about his culinary background, the various types of dishes he prepares for DYS’ residential youth and staff, as well as his favorite cuisine.
Interview with Southeast Region's Food Supervisor, Derek Rozelle
Q: What is the dish you are making?
A: Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Coconut rice and peas and grilled pineapple mango salsa.
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Q: What is your background of culinary training?
A: I started when I was 12 years old washing dishes. Discovered my love for the kitchen life, so I went to tech school, then Johnson and Wales. I have opened many restaurants, worked in private clubs, and staged under master chefs.
Q: What is your latest type/style of cuisine you have just learned?
A: I’ve been focusing on Haitian and Jamaican cuisines, which have bold sweet and spicy and tropical flavors.
Q: How is your work affecting DYS youth?
A: We get to provide our children with nutritious, well-balanced meals that they may find at local restaurants in their area or in their own homes.
Q: How do you get the youth to try something new?
A: We talk to them about the dish, ask them what they would like, and we encourage them to try something new. Eric and I simply try to speak their language, when they are in the dining room. We try and relate to them while providing them with a sense of comfort. We really try to take care of them like they are going out to eat every time we serve them.
Q: Outside of your daily routine, are you or your team doing any activities with the youth?
A: Yes, we play games with them, football, when it’s nice out, and chess. We would like to start a culinary program, but it has been extremely challenging between COVID, supply change shortages and staffing levels.
Q: What is your favorite style of cuisine? Or favorite cultural food to eat?
A: I love cooking traditional European food because that’s what I grew eating.
If you are interested in making this meal at home, click here for three recipes for Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Coconut Pea Rice and Grilled Pineapple Mango Salsa.
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Third Annual DYS Racial Trauma Conference
by Kathryn Levesque, Collaborative for Educational Services
Two hundred and ninety educators, provider staff, community partners, clinicians, and other professionals affiliated with the Department of Youth Services (DYS) and the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) gathered online on Tuesday, April 11th for the Third Annual DYS Racial Trauma Conference. The theme for this year’s conference was Liberatory Education and the Whole Child: Healing racial trauma and promoting wellness, educational equity, and healthy identity development. The conference built on the significant work that has been accomplished in this area with the education workforce and DYS over the past three years. The ongoing goal has been to deepen the collective understanding of how racial trauma impacts youth, and how educators and practitioners can be proactive in creating therapeutic classroom spaces where students feel safe, can engage in authentic learning, explore their identities, talents, skills, and realize their aspirations moving forward.
The conference keynote speaker was Vanessa Prosper, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of clinical experience working with racially and ethnically diverse children, adolescents, adults, and families. Dr. Prosper has developed and conducted a multitude of local, national, and international presentations focused on raising mental health awareness, demystifying mental health stigma, child and adolescent mental health, and educating others on cultural competency. She spoke about the psychological impact of Racial Trauma, and how that impact might be mitigated through trauma-informed approaches when working with BIPOC students.
A series of nine different workshop sessions followed the keynote and the conference ended with a presentation from Shawna Boles, Psy.D, MSW, on the Elder Project. The Elder Project is a research initiative aimed at gathering the collective voices of people with 10+ years in DYS or Human Services, speaking about resiliency, values, and meaning making. Boles shared her subjects’ perspective about their work being rooted in values, but finding joy in the successes of youth that are often expressed in the small moments. She reflected on the many ways in which those doing this work sought to find resilience and gain inspiration and ended the day with a fresh and positive approach to centering self-care when doing the work to provide care for others.
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Unleashed: Roller Coaster Experiment
As a part of BreakFree Education’s initiative, Unleashed: Roller coaster Experiment, students across the country studied the concepts of force and motion and the life of Granville T. Woods, the inventor of the Figure Eight roller coaster.
We are excited to announce that one of DYS' very own students, "IM", from Butler Center won the first place on the National Contest. Click on the image to see a video of the winning rollercoaster.
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We also want to congratulate "OD" and "CD" from Spectrum Girls for receiving an honorable mention.
The "Rainbow Dash" won honorable mention in the "Most Creative" category because it reflects the colors of the rainbow not only in the image attached but in the order of colored paper used in the foundational pieces of the roller coaster itself.
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Raising Awareness about Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence |
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Sexual Assault Awareness Month |
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April 2022 marked the 21st Anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Department of Youth Services recognizes the importance of raising awareness about sexual violence, educating ourselves about prevention, promoting available support and resources for victim-survivors, and deepening understanding that healing is a journey and no one's experience is exactly the same.
Denim Day
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For the past 23 years, Peace Over Violence has run an inspiring and powerful campaign, Denim Day, to practice solidarity and support survivors by renewing our commitment to exposing harmful behaviors and attitudes surrounding sexual violence.
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The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a movement.
As the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses and
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students to make a social statement with their fashion by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
Young people from Westfield Detention and Revocation all contributed in making a ‘PEACE’ wall by decorating it with colorful felt flowers and handmade denim bows to show support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Westfield Youth Service Center staff also took part by wearing denim (pictured above).
Employee Spotlight: Northeast Region's Nick Bound
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Nick Bound has worked for the Department of Youth Services for 10 years, most recently working as the Northeast Region Director of Placement, for the last 6 years, and 504 Coordinator. As part of this role, he has taken on the responsibility of being the Victim Service Unit Coordinator, where he works closely with DYS’ Director of Victim Services and Employee Support Services, Marie-Elena Edwards. Within every region, there is a small percentage of DYS youth who are on the victim notification list. After the youth is committed to DYS, the agency is then notified by the District Attorney's office whether they are on the victim notification list.
Nick is responsible for maintaining the Victim notification list and ensuring that caseworkers are notified when a youth is on the list so that they have an appropriate amount of time to submit the victim notification form. When DYS Youth, who are on the victim notification list, become eligible to go out into the community, the victims and victims' families are notified.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month |
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Click image for more information regarding Mental Health Awareness Month. |
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DYS Updates/Announcements |
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The Department of Youth Services is excited to announce the launching of the "Are You an Influencer?" campaign |
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We have officially kicked off our “Are You an Influencer?” campaign. Click on the image to see our trailer.
An Influencer is defined as “one who exerts influence: a person who inspires or guides the actions of others”.
At DYS, each role within the agency aids the development of the youth in our care. We all have important roles to play towards the success of youth and we are all INFLUENCERS!
We are still collecting 10-15 second self-made videos of staff across the state. We want to hear your voice. What makes you an Influencer? Submissions can be sent to Katy Laverriere at kathryn.a.laverriere@mass.gov or Melissa Ouellette at melissa.j.ouellette@mass.gov.
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#ICYMI: Did you know that DYS is on Instagram?!
Thank you to our new followers, we hope you are enjoying our agency updates.
If you didn't know we had an Instagram, please follow us at @mass_DYS or https://www.instagram.com/mass_dys/ from your browser for agency updates, recruitment and employment opportunities, and just some feel-good pictures to warm your heart during these difficult times.
We encourage staff and partners to share any DYS-related images (with a brief description) to potentially be featured on our social media. Send to Katy Laverriere via email (kathryn.a.laverriere@mass.gov) or text (857-930-6072).
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DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH SERVICES [www.mass.gov/dys]
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Kathryn A Laverriere
Director of Communications
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