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Commissioner's Message
One point of focus and reflection as we enter the Spring season of 2017 is the value of mentoring. Mentoring has the potential to enrich our workforce and professional development platform and is an opportunity to provide valuable support and guidance to DYS involved youth. Many of us, including myself, have had the benefit of someone inside of or outside of DYS taking an interest in our professional development. Please consider paying that forward by looking out for colleagues or for staff that you may supervise.
DYS-involved youth come to us with a significant amount of disruption in their lives through their school experience, family stressors, peer pressure and other challenges in their home neighborhoods. Many of these youth need and will benefit from formal and / or informal mentoring. Groupworkers, Supervisors, Clinicians, teachers, Caseworkers, transporters,
advocates, and Program Managers all have opportunities to engage with youth and to offer encouragement and guidance. Sometimes this is just helping a young person get through a tough moment and in other situations it is longer term advice or direction. Do not under estimate your ability to contribute to positive change with youth.
In the last 6 months, I've had the opportunity to visit 31 programs and am consistently impressed with how staff approach their work every day. The critical ingredient in our strategic work is effective engagement with youth. If we are not able to engage youth, we're stuck in a maintenance mode that does not support the positive change process. It's clear that staff have embraced engagement as the preferred strategy and that we are experiencing "pockets" of success.
We continue to have challenges across our programs where youth act out and staff is confronted with difficult situations. Safety is a top priority for me and for our Department. We have empowered our Safety Committee to drive policy and practice changes in an effort to continue to make our program environments as safe as possible.
We have also engaged the
Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR)
and the
Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators (CJCA)
in a technical assistance effort directed toward delivering the safest and highest quality secure residential treatment experience for youth in our care. The emerging work groups include: Family Engagement, Case Planning, Behavioral Support and Racial and Ethnic Disparities. This work platform is shaping into a process that will have a positive and lasting impact on our service delivery.
We're in the final process of rolling out a strategic plan that prioritizes: youth and staff safety, Positive Youth Development, strengthening communications, and investing in promising and effective practices. Our strategic focus includes the dynamics of race, fairness and equity, and how these factors impact and guide our work.
The team at the Leahy Center stands out for 2 recent incidents where staff saved the life of a staff member and in a subsequent incident saved the life of a youth. The quick and coordinated response by staff on site using CPR, AED and the appropriate 911 support resulted in a positive (rather than tragic) outcome for youth and staff.
This Spring we will also celebrate our
5th annual Youth Art Showcase and a series of regional ceremonies recognizing youth who successfully obtain their HiSet equivalency or High School Diplomas. It is important that we recognize youth and staff success to remind all of us that there is a balance and purpose to our work.
I want to thank you for what you do every day. The Department cannot be effective at any level without committed staff. Every single person who works for DYS or for our partner agencies in the provider network is positioned to promote positive change with the youth that we serve. We have to seize this incredible opportunity. I look forward to seeing you in the programs or in the field.
Sincerely,
DYS Commissioner Peter J. Forbes
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Agency Partnership Creates New Mentorship Opportunities for Youth
The concept of Positive Youth Development is based on research that shows that certain "protective factors," or positive influences, can help young people succeed and keep them from facing difficult challenges. Creating experiences that build a healthy sense of self and involving them in positive opportunities when they return to the community, make our youth better prepared for a successful transition to adulthood. DYS recognizes that critical protective factors like interacting with caring adults who serve as mentors, can help put youth on the path to success.
A current example of these efforts is the recent collaboration that the Department of Youth Services has with the Department of Developmental Services. This partnership builds positive mentoring relationships, and creates opportunities for our youth to develop important skills by having them help individuals with disabilities through building assistive technology equipment.
Based in Worcester,
the initiative called The REquipment Durable Medical Equipment Program, is jointly sponsored by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and the Department of Developmental. REquipment takes used durable medical equipment that is less than six years old, refurbishes it, and then makes it available to anyone in Massachusetts who needs a device at no cost.
The kickoff of this partnership started last August with the enrollment of the first youth participant in Central Region. Youth are designing, building, and repairing adaptive equipment and devices such as wheelchairs, power lifts, pencil holders, and eye-gaze devices and head trackers, while also expanding their capacity for empathy and compassion for individuals with disabilities.
This winter, we met with Jim Smith who is the
Adaptive Equipment Technician II for DDS and the Site Coordinator for The REquipment Program in Worcester. While not open to the public, the Worcester REquipment site has both a large storage and workshop space where Mr. Smith manages a team that accepts, cleans, sanitizes and restores the equipment.
At the site, Jim showed with pride and enthusiasm the many components of the shop and detailed the important work that he does in not just managing the program, but in also teaching and coaching DYS youth who come to work at REquipment.
The day for Jim and youth starts at 8am and Jim makes sure youth are taught everything about assistive technologies, which means handling various pieces of equipment, software programs, or product systems that are used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of persons with disabilities.
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Jim Smith, Adaptive Equipment Technician, guides a DYS youth who is learning how to repair a motorized wheelchair.
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"The kids are learning everything from basic maintenance, to how to make seatbelts, to how to properly clean wheelchairs using specialize machinery," explained Jim. The youth also learn about the importance of their work as it enhances the independence of people with special needs, enabling the disabled to participate in life activities with the help of the devices they repair.
DYS youth, Jose has been helping Jim since the fall and explains that he what he does at REquipment makes him feel good because he sees how it helps people. "I like my job, I really do. What I am doing is important," explained Jose as he was mounting a wheel onto a motorized wheelchair. "The work makes you want to be on track because what you do improves the quality of how other people live."
Jim reminds Jose that this is his future, his opportunity and that everyone at the site is there to help. "In the end, they are kids, and I am helping them through the threshold of entering adulthood."
This partnership with REquipment is part of the
DYS Bridging the Opportunity Gap BOG initiative with the Commonwealth Corporation. This partnership provides workforce development and training for DYS youth. BOG is designed to introduce young people to more career possibilities and provides educational and vocational opportunities for DYS youth to develop their interests and build marketable skills through fulfilling important roles in the community.
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Heroes Reception:
DYS Staff are Honored for their Life-saving Measures
Last month, the DYS Central Region held a "Heroes" staff recognition ceremony at the Paul T. Leahy Center in Worcester to recognize the outstanding efforts by staff during two recent emergency medical incidents.
Two major incidents at Leahy occurred less than a month apart from each other and both involved the sudden collapse and lack of signs of life; one of a Unit A Group Worker, and the other of a young man in the Hadley Metro program. In both cases, staff performed CPR and utilized AEDs until emergency medical response teams arrived and took over for the staff. Both the Group Worker and the youth required extensive medical care at the hospital and are currently progressing in their recovery.
The recognition ceremony included words of support, appreciation, and encouragement in response to the lifesaving efforts by the staff in all of the facility's three programs; Leahy Unit A, Hadley Assessment, and the Central Region Reception Center (CRRC), as well as facility support staff from security and the kitchen. The recognition included a banquet breakfast for staff and "Hero" certificates which were personally given by Central Region Director, Barbara Morton. During the ceremony, several staff also openly volunteered to share their experiences with the management team and with each other.
It was obvious these events had a profound impact on the staff involved, and the opportunity to discuss their thoughts and feelings surrounding these events proved very helpful to all. Metro Region Director Dan O'Sullivan also joined the ceremony and graciously extended his appreciation to the staff. At the end of the day, it goes to show how the concept of teamwork, and the care and concern for each other's well-being extends beyond the walls of a program, beyond the walls of a facility, and even beyond the walls of a region.
We are so thankful for the teams who, through their work, literally helped save lives. Special "Hero" recognitions were awarded to the following DYS employees for their incredible efforts:
Leahy Unit A Staff
GroupWorker III Rudy Kolaco
GroupWorker II Tonita Poston
GroupWorker I Joshua Nordstrom-Maynard
GroupWorker I Erick Zelayandia
Clinical Director Randy Holmberg
Clinician Jessica Casey
Hadley Staff
GroupWorker II Pedro Martel
GroupWorker I Nelson Vazquez
GroupWorker I Thomas Houatchanthara
GroupWorker I Randy Mercedes
CRRC Staff
GroupWorker IINorma Brown
GroupWorker III Matthew Fullen
GroupWorker II Mike Canty
Clinical Director Gerry Zuffante
Leahy Facility Support Staff
ISO Javier Colon
Cook Rachel Ojeda
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Teaming Up for DYS Youth:
A Long-standing Partnership Serves to Inspire
If you tried,
you probably could hear a pin drop in the room. On a February evening, during a special visit to the
Department of Youth Services (DYS) Metro Pre-Trial Detention Unit, nearly a dozen young men sat attentively and completely absorbed in the words shared by special guest speaker Jerome Allen, Assistant Coach for the NBA Boston Celtics.
While taking a break from the basketball court, Mr. Allen brought his coaching skills, and personal experiences to connect with DYS youth and remind them that "it's not about where you start; it's about where you will go from here. You may have made some mistakes that are costing you something but you can break the cycle, learn from it, and change it."
Over the years, thanks to Reverend Bob Gray- the Chaplain of the Boston Celtics, many athletes and adult role models like Coach Allen have come to talk to youth in DYS custody. Reverend Gray, who once worked as a Juvenile Probation Officer, connects youth with adults who share their personal stories and can deliver the message that dedication and hard work are the pathways out of tough situations.
DYS residential staff and youth were incredibly engaged and inspired by Coach Allen.
After sharing stories about his personal obstacles, educational experiences, and professional successes, Allen opened the floor up to questions from the youth. Somewhat surprising were the questions the youth asked of Coach Allen. No questions were asked about fame, wealth, or even basketball. Instead, the youth connected with Allen on a deeper level and, asked the
coach questions like: What was the moment that made you want to turn your life around? How were you able to cope with all the anger you felt from a rough childhood? What are the best tips you can give somebody who wants to change their life
around?
The residents shared their thoughts on the visit and special guests, saying that they appreciated that
"It was real, they were genuine and cool." "They had a lot in common with our lives." "They were cool sharing their situations and they made talking to them comfortable."
This special guest visit is an example of the Department's ongoing commitment to create opportunities that promote positive development and experiences for youth in custody. We appreciate all the athletes and role models who have visited DYS residential programs and spoken with our young people. DYS collaborated with the Celtics Office of Community Engagement and the Boston Public Schools Program of Student Voice and Initiatives to make this opportunity possible. These types of positive relationships undoubtedly bridge connections that turn into important wins for youth.
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A solid partnership between DYS and the Boston Celtics
DYS Metro Region Director Daniel O'Sullivan, Celtics Community Engagement Manager John Matthew Borders IV,
Assistant Coach for the Boston Celtics Jerome Allen,
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Legislator Visits Residential Program;
Connects with Youth
At the Winsor Academy, Commissioner Forbes, Deputy Commissioner Chow-Menzer as well as Central Region Director Barbara Morton and Director of Placement Services Lisa Astorino, guided Representative Naughton through the program and discussed the various services and opportunities available to DYS youth. Representative Naughton, who has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 1995, is currently the House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and is also a member of the Army Reserve who served in Afghanistan.
The Representative was engaging and very personable as he connected with the residents about their interests and future goals. One youth said he was thinking about joining the Armed Forces and another shared that he was interested in becoming a police officer. Both youth were offered the opportunity to connect with the Representative and potentially network with professionals in the military or law enforcement field. The Department is very appreciative to Representative Naughton and his office for the support and engagement with our staff and youth.
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DYS in the National Press
The Department was recently featured in a national story detailing the reasons and the results of Massachusetts asking what resources, opportunities, or services do youth in custody need in order to succeed. Commissioner Forbes speaks on the importance of the Positive Youth Development model and how that provides important support to DYS youth. Read more here...
DYS is also recognized in a Council for Juvenile Correctional Administrators article on reducing isolation published in Corrections Today: Managing Solitude: Reducing the Use of Isolation in Secure Juvenile Confinement Facilities. DYS Massachusetts is mentioned for the work staff have
contributed
to reducing isolation in DYS residential programs.
Click here to read this article
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Important DYS Reports are Available Online
Important Department-wide regulation announcements and reports are online on our website at:
www.mass.gov/DYS
Find the latest proposed amendments to current regulations, DYS Annual Report, information on Massachusetts youth recidivism rates, DYS Regulations, and more under DYS Reports & Resources:
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DYS Staff Intranet Update
Providers are on; The Pulse Celebrates
its 1st Birthday!
We are pleased to report that DYS provider staff now have access to the DYS Pulse staff intranet. The old DYS Portal/2003 SharePoint Site is officially retired. The Pulse intranet is the main source for Department-wide information for DYS staff.
We are also marking a milestone moment as the Department recently celebrated its 1st year on Pulse! The new intranet Pulse was introduced region-by-region to DYS staff starting in February 2016.
How to go on the DYS Pulse:
If you don't remember your Virtual Gateway login, contact:
Virtual Gateway Customer Service
Monday
- Friday
8:30am - 5:00pm
(800) 421-
0938
Resources on Pulse include:
- Statewide updates including statewide events and news from each of the 5 regions.
- The Department's first online-employee directory which allows you to search for DYS and DCF staff.
- A search engine that works like "Google" to find information on Pulse.
- Up-to-date DYS policies, directories, and internal DYS documents for staff.
The DYS Pulse is an internal web-based employee intranet site that provides features for expanded communications and collaboration between DYS staff, and worksites. The implementation of this major DYS communications improvement occurred in phases and was initiated February 29, 2016.
The DYS Pulse is private network and it is not be accessible to the public. The Department of Children and Families has also adopted this web-based platform.
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JDAI Newsletter
The JDAI Communications Pipeline
shares recent updates and activities related to what we're doing in Massachusetts to create alternatives to youth detention. The Massachusetts JDAI newsletter is a resource that keeps stakeholders informed of local and state efforts to reduce the use of secure detention for low-risk youth and to assure that "the Right Youth, is in the Right Place, for the
Right Reasons."
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"He took his pain and turned it into something beautiful. Into something that people connect to. And that's what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you." Hannah Harrington
It has been said that music is the outburst of the soul. This is because the act of setting an idea down on paper, rehearsing it, collaborating with others, getting feedback on it, and finally releasing it through recordings and/or performance, is transformative. It can empower our young people, create new positive experiences, and impact lives. Our vision is that all youth in the Goss programs have the opportunity to find and share their voice in constructive and creative ways.
With a challenge from the Southeast Region's Senior Staff for Goss II to "think outside" the box, the Program felt the time was right to approach Regional Director
Tina Saetti
with our idea and vision for a music studio. The initiative was the brainchild of Groupworker III
Michael Veveiros
who felt that a studio would offer the residents a chance to channel their emotions through musical creativity and expression, while also providing a window for the adults overseeing their care to gain additional perspective on the youths' life circumstances.
Director
John Pina
and Assistant Director Rhonda Andrews were determined to turn the dream into reality. With the encouragement and support of Tina and support from the Collaborative for Educational Services staff Woody Clift and
Tara Jacome
, a plan was set in motion. With the procurement of recording software and other taping equipment accomplished, Goss maintenance staff
Gary Choat
e and Brian White transformed an empty office into an acoustically-designed space offering the best conditions for creating and producing music - including a soundproof booth!
Francisco Portela
from Fiscal worked to subsidize the furniture and carpeting. Program staff came up with "Reservation Guidelines" for all programs which will assist in the scheduling/proper use and maintenance of equipment, as well as standard "Rules" and contract for youth and all Units to abide by. Still in need of the
wow
factor, we "commissioned" JRI maintenance staff/artist Jimmy Andrade to paint a mural for the studio, which was designed by Rhonda Andrews.
We hope that the studio will offer youth from all Goss programs the ability to reflect upon songs or lyrics, and recall music associated with positive and significant people or events in their lives. The improvisation can offer a creative way to relate to each other, and can be a session in relaxation which may help control anxiety or pain. By supporting our residents while exploring their creativity and expression, we empower them by facilitating new skills through diverse pathways to accomplishment.
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5th Annual
DYS Youth Showcase Event
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Copyright ©2016 Massachusetts Department of Youth Services. All Rights Reserved.
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