WWU

Congratulations, Wilder!

Please allow me to extent my CONGRATULATIONS to Wilder Youth Development Center.  We have just been informed that they have successfully completed their American Correctional Association Certification with 100% compliance.  

It doesn't get any better than this.

Thanks to all the wonderful Wilder staff who made this accomplishment possible.  You are making a difference for our youth and doing that work with recognized quality.

Viola Miller

A Day To Remember at New Visions YDC

No one will ever forget that famous day when you walk across the stage and get your high school diploma.  It is a day that each individual, who has taken the time, succeeded in their school work, and gave that little bit extra to accomplish a major goal will never forget.  We are all used to seeing classes of 150-500 graduate from some of the larger high schools in the area.  However, one individual recently received the honor of graduating by herself.  Her graduation was something to behold.  It was the first for New Visions Academy, this school year.  

Due to the confidentiality of our students we will call our student HJ.  HJ is a bright, bubbly, fun-loving young lady. HJ wanted to graduate from New Visions.  She knew that many times a student who leaves such an institution like New Visions has a rough time getting into public schools.  The time of year, credits being transferred and the perception of a new school dealing with a student who has just come from a treatment facility is not always good for the student.  HJ also had a great love and fondness for the friends she had made at New Visions.  Her graduation was made possible by careful planning, figuring of mandatory school hours needed in each subject, and the student’s desire to double her school work load.

The planning phases for the graduation were amazing.  Several staff and students were involved in making sure the ceremony was just right.  Banners were made just for our graduate.  A graduating gown had to be acquired.  Senior pictures of the graduate had to be taken.  The gym was decorated.  Programs were distributed to the guests.  Most of the guest was New Visions staff, but there were two special guests for this ceremony.  HJ’s grandmother was in attendance.  Tennessee State Senator Thelma Harper was the one local dignitary present. 

The graduation was in the gym.  All of the current students at New Visions were present.  Several staff members from both the first and second shift security were also in attendance.  Administration and teachers alike were there to wish our best to HJ.  Our new graduate even had her hair and make-up done by a student and the school’s cosmetology teacher.  She looked like a young princess.  The graduate was ushered in by one of her teachers.  She was directed to a chair caped in red.  This made her look like she was on a throne.  The smile she had was just magnificent.  

Several students came from their seats to read poems and cards to the new graduate.  Teachers also read poems and passages that related to HJ’s accomplishments.  Senator Thelma Harper presented HJ with a proclamation from the Tennessee State Senate.  HJ was delighted to receive such an honor.  However the best thing was when the principal of New Visions Academy, Ms. Annette Kelly, presented HJ with her diploma.  Once again that smile captured everyone’s heart.  Students, staff, teachers and everyone began cheering loudly.  There were even a few tears shed for such a young lady who had reached her graduation goal. 

After the ceremony everyone was treated to cake and goodies provided.  While all enjoyed the treats, a montage of picture of HJ and her school friends were scrolled on the wall with the use of a computer. Friends who have already left New Visions and current students were included in the pictures.  HJ made sure she had pictures made with her teachers.  It was good to see our students enjoying each other.

    

For most of the students here at New Visions an ending like this does not happen very often.  Most students leave here and go to a group home, foster home, independent living arrangements or even back to their families.  Very seldom do you hear of the good things that these students make of their lives.  It was sure a pleasure to see this young lady, who has so much potential, go the extra mile to make sure she received her high school diploma.  No matter how tough your job maybe at times seeing such events is what makes your job a little more worth it.

      

Trevor Winters

Teacher

 New VisionsYouth Development Center

Never Too Early To Consider New Traditions

The JJ Team in Cluster C has a tradition where they send boxes of goodies to students at Taft for Christmas in lieu of exchanging Christmas gifts among each other.  We started doing this because these children are not in the traditional setting for the Christmas season, and there were some families who were unable to afford the goodies or the postage to send them.  The tradition started about 6 or 7 years ago, and has been done every year since that time.  Each worker generally shops or donates money for shopping, and the team fills as many boxes as possible. 
 
This year the team (Melanie, Silke, Gwynne, Maria, Emily, Valerie, Cayce, and Erica) pulled together 19 Christmas Boxes, which was 3 more than last year.  The team provided a box for the six students assigned to them, and for 13 for students from other counties who families were not able to send anything. 
 
This has become such a tradition within the team that some from other teams have started to contribute to the cause.  We really enjoy doing this, and hope that our tradition will encourage others join in next year.
 
Erica Crawford

Sorry we're a little late with this post. It got lost in the in-box, but it's never to early to think about innovative ways to serve our kids. -eds.

Wilder Reaches Out

At Wilder, our young men continue to reach out to the local community to lend a hand.

Take this last Halloween for example.

A number of achievement and goal-oriented young men volunteered to lend their hands to assist and help provide services to a local county animal rescue facility.

 The students and accompanying staff were very much impressed with the facility. They were quite surprised at the size of the rescue facility and the number of animals in residence. The Director of the facility met our group and provided a brief tour and explanation of their purpose, goals and needs. The students were able to visit with rescued horses and dogs after which the real work began.

 Work for the day included cutting limbs and trees, collecting and piling brush, moving items and materials from various buildings and thoroughly cleaning dog houses. Approximately three to four hours were spent at the center. After completing the tasks at hand everyone loaded up and then were treated to a great pizza meal with all the side dishes and trimmings. The day’s work had obviously increased the young men’s already healthy appetite!

Upon returning to campus the students continued to talk of their opportunity to provide a community service, the animals that were encountered and how good they felt about the work that they had been given the opportunity to perform. The students presented Superintendent Jane S. Hayes with a letter expressing their appreciation, enjoyment and thanks for the opportunity presented to them. It was truly a rewarding experience for all involved.

Clara Harris

Community Service at a Day Care, Wilder Style

September 14, 2009 was a special day for a number of students and staff of Wilder Youth Center as this was a day set aside to provide a community service. As an activity of service, honor students were selected to offer and provide a day of service to a local daycare center during which they provided carpet cleaning and painting.

Before the work began students and staff took part in a segment of the A.R.T. program to familiarize the owners and operators present with the purpose and goals of the A.R.T. program and how the day’s community service being provided was an important step in achieving positive character traits highlighted in the program.

The students worked with enthusiasm to complete the tasks at hand and enjoyed having the opportunity to “give back” to the community. The owner and operators of the day care were very pleased to have been the recipients of the efforts of the students who left the daycare clean and sparkling. The students were rewarded for their hard work with a buffet lunch at a local restaurant.

The Taft Chess Project

" . . . As a result of the Taft Chess Project, Case Mangers report greatly increased chess playing activity on the dormitories during students’ free time, and on weekends.  Several CSOs were also surprised at the increased activity, preferring chess activity to the usual card playing, and added that chess playing is usually more civilized and quiet, enhancing the dorm environment for all.  (This writer has witnessed this, and also noted that whenever a board is brought out on the dorm, it always gathers spectators who are most often very respectful of the contest in progress, content to watch quietly. ) . . "

Curious about Roy Barger's chess experiment at Taft?

Download Chess at Taft

New Leadership at Taft and Wilder

Following the retirements of Bruce Bayless as superintendent of Wilder Youth Development Center and Larry Lively as superintendent of Taft Youth Development Center, the Division of Juvenile Justice has been actively pursuing applicants who will continue the successful pursuit of excellence for these two very important programs. Today I am pleased to announce that Jane Hayes and Bob Bowen have been named superintendent at Wilder and Taft, respectively. Together they bring both experience and fresh insight to our JJ leadership team.

Jane Hayes, formerly Jane Shaw, has been with the Department for 15 years, progressing up through the ranks and serving as treatment manager for 7 years. Jane has served as interim superintendent since Mr. Bayless’s retirement and has demonstrated excellent leadership skills. She has a deep commitment to providing quality services and environment for the young men at Wilder to become successful and positive members of their community. In accepting this appointment, Jane expressed her desire to create a restorative community at Wilder that promotes internal personal transformation as an evidence-based process for effective rehabilitation. As Jane is embarking on this new path in her professional life, she has also chosen to create a new path in her personal life by getting married. Please join me in a double dose of congratulations for Jane Hayes.

Bob Bowen comes to Tennessee from the state of Illinois. Bob also worked his way up through the ranks in the corrections field from the front-line into senior management and eventually to the position of warden. He has 10 years experience in senior correctional management which will further enhance our level of professionalism within our Division. Although his experience has been primarily with adults, his original desire as a young college student and correctional employee was to work in juvenile justice. In accepting his appointment, he expressed his excitement to finally get the opportunity to fulfill that dream. Bob is an avid outdoorsman and is looking forward to the natural beauty and quality of life on the Plateau. Please join me in welcoming Bob to Tennessee and our DCS juvenile justice team.

Thanks to everyone at Wilder, Taft and throughout the Division of Juvenile Justice who have helped make this a successful transition and who will continue to help insure the success of Jane and Bob as well as DJJ. I am in constant amazement at the teamwork, positive energy and dedication of the wonderful individuals who perform the day to day work of juvenile justice and make this a place of inspiration, hopes and dreams. My deepest heartfelt thanks to all of you.

Steven C. Hornsby
Deputy Commissioner For Juvenile Justice

Mountain View Graduates 13 More

 

Deputy Commissioner Steve Hornsby addresses the Mountain View graduates

DANDRIDGE -- On Friday, July 17, 2009, Mountain View Youth Development Center held its yearly student graduation ceremony.  This year, four students received their High School Diplomas, and nine students received their GED Certificates.  Many family members and friends of the graduates were in attendance and able to share in this great accomplishment.  Our guest speaker was Deputy Commissioner Steve Hornsby, who provided an entertaining and inspiring message.  A special thanks to all Mountain View staff that have helped these students    

Code Blue Drill at New Visions

On August 11, 2009 a Code Blue Simulation was held at New Visions Youth Development Center thanks to the generous community outreach of Austin Peay State University.  The trainers were Grace Moodt, MSRN and Debbie Ellison, MSRN, both Assistant Professors at APSU.  The purpose of the simulation was to facilitate teamwork during an emergency and to train all departments in the Code Blue procedures.

Our nurses at New Visions deal with a wide range of medical problems including diabetes, asthma, pregnancy, high blood pressure and the like.  We conduct, by policy; Code Red drills a minimum of once a quarter.  Since our nurses are only present for first and part of second shift, the need for our CSO’s and other staff to be prepared for a real code red is imperative.

The four-hour course was well designed and inclusive.  It offered a nice balance of didactic lessons and practice.  The scenarios were adapted to meet real life situations that could occur at New Visions.  They included heart attack, hypo/hyperglycemia, dehydration and possible drug overdose. The simulations gave us an opportunity to practice and re-practice our skills in dealing with these life threatening situations. The simulations required active participation and practical application of skills. This process was well received by all departmental participants: treatment, education, security, clinical and administration, as well as the outside guests. 

New Visions thanks ASPU School of Nursing and especially,  Grace and Debbie for donating their time and materials.  The training was very educational.  We hope to have an ongoing relationship with APSU to future enhance our code blue skills.

New Visions would also like to thank Dr. Lois Wagner, a member of our community board who made the introduction to APSU.

Molly Snell, RN and Barbara Lonardi

'Friends of Mountain View' Golf Tournament Nets $3,600

The sixth annual Mountain View Youth Development Center Golf Tournament was held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Dandridge Golf and Country Club in Dandridge.  The tournament is the primary fundraiser for the “Friends of Mountain View”, our Volunteer Services Community Involvement Council (CIC).  All proceeds from the tournament are governed by elected board members and are used to supplement numerous volunteer-based services and activities for the students at Mountain View. 

This year’s tournament raised $3,600, bringing the six year total to over $14,900.  Area businesses and organizations were again extremely generous.  This coupled with a lot of hard work made this year’s tournament another success for the “Friends of Mountain View”.       

A huge thanks to Volunteer Services Supervisor Roxanne Bowen, Volunteer Coordinator David Bugg, Case Manager 3 Don Burnette and many others for their help with this year’s tournament. 

Steve Collier