Here's where you will find procedures, brochures, organizational charts and other information that may be of help to you as you navigate the often mystifying territory that is the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Please note: the information contained here is provided for your convenience and is subject to change at any time by the responsible organization. For latest information contact the organization directly. Thank you, justice4kids.org.

DJJ Grievance Procedure

This is a transcript of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Grievance Procedure DJJ/PP Form 10    Revised 10/98. If you do file a grievance be sure to get a copy of the official form from your Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO).

[Florida Department of Juvenile Justice]
Grievance Procedure

Any time you or your parents think that an action by the counselor or the Department is unjust or you believe that you are being treated unfairly, you can make a complaint. The complaint is called a grievance. To file a grievance, this is the procedure to follow: 

STEP 1       The juvenile’s probation officer with assistance from his/her supervisor must attempt to resolve the complaint with the juvenile and parent.

STEP 2       If the Juvenile Probation Officer is unsuccessful, the juvenile and parent must be advised that they have the right to file a grievance, in writing, with the Operations Program Administrator of the unit. A copy of the grievance must be forwarded by the Supervisor to the Juvenile Justice Manger, the Unit Supervisor should indicate that he or she is investigating the complaint. Complaints by the juvenile or parent may be handwritten on a plain sheet of paper and signed by the person filing the grievance. No reprisals may be taken against a juvenile or family [for filing] a grievance.

STEP 3       Within 15 working days, the Unit Supervisor must discuss the grievance with the juvenile and parent(s) and try to resolve the matter. A letter must be sent to the juvenile and parent(s) summarizing the findings and disposition of the complaint. The letter must state if the disposition was acceptable or unacceptable to the Juvenile Justice Manager. The Supervisor is required to keep a copy of all grievance filed with the disposition letter. In regard to unacceptable dispositions, the letter, sent to the juvenile and parents, must include the name and address of the local Juvenile Justice Manager for the purpose of a potential appeal as outlined below.

STEP 4       If the disposition of the complaint was unacceptable to the parent and juvenile, they must be advised that they have the right to appeal, in writing, to the Juvenile Justice Manager or his designee. The appeal must be filed within 14 working days of sending the letter. The Juvenile Justice Manager or designee has 15 working days to review and investigate the grievance and disposition and notify the juvenile and parent of their findings and any action that may be warranted. The Juvenile Justice Manger’s decision is final.

 NOTE
 NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR FILING A GRIEVANCE.

However, you should understand that you cannot file a grievance when you have violated condition of supervision as order by the court, or a condition of your release on furlough from a commitment program. Violations of supervision will be heard at a court hearing or a revocation hearing, if you are on furlough.

The above procedure was explained to me and I received a copy of the grievance procedure.

 _________________________________________                         __________________________________
                            Child’s Name                                                                  Child’s Signature

 _________________________________________                         __________________________________
                           Parent’s Name                                                                Parent’s Signature

 _________________________________________                         __________________________________
                                 Date                                                                                  Date

 DJJID #:                  _________________
Referral ID #:           _________________

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Directions for Mental Health

DIRECTIONS
For Mental Health, Inc.
Directions’
Child Substance Abuse
Program

These services may be provided in the home, as well as at our center. Urine drug screening will not be available.

More Information

**A study of 6^th graders done in 1998 indicated:

 The same study for high school seniors showed:

 **This study was conducted by:

Directions’ Children’s Substance Abuse treatment services are made available through a contract with: State of Florida Dept. of Children & Families Division of Alcohol, Drug Abuse & Mental Health

Directions for Mental Health, Inc. is licensed in accordance with Florida Statutes to provide Substance Abuse services for Outpatient and Intervention

Directions’ services are not fully-funded, and depend on the generous support of foundations, businesses and caring individuals

Directions for Mental Health, Inc.
1437 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater, FL 33764
Call (727) 524-4464

Directions’ services, activities, programs, and facilities are available without regard to age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religious creed, national origin, handicap, or disability, as provided by law and in accordance with Directions’ respect for personal dignity. We strictly adhere to state law and processional ethics regarding the confidentiality of client information. It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure access to treatment, call (727) 524-4464
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JARF Brochure

The following description of JARF is taken from an undated JARF brochure. The brochure was obtained in August 2001.

JARF, Juvenile Addiction Receiving Facility: Pinellas and Pasco Counties' centralized receiving facility for impaired youth. JARF is a service of PAR and is located at

    6150 150th Ave N,
    Clearwater, Florida
    (727)669-1377
    Fax (727) 524-4345

For immediate admission, please call (727)524-4497 or toll-free 888 PAR-NEXT. Open 24 hours a day 7day a week.

Services Offered

... all provided in a 24-hour locked facility.

Who is Eligible: The JARF is open to youth under the age of 18 with substance abuse issues. The JARF is not a Baker Act receiving facility.

Length of Stay: Length of stay is usually 3-5 days. Clients may stay longer if they are court ordered to remain at this facility.

Methods of Admissions

How to Find US

The JARF is centrally located at 6150 150th Ave N in Clearwater

Call (727)524-4497 or toll-free 888 PAR-NEXT
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JDC Grievance Procedure

This is the Juvenile Detention Centers' (there are 25 JDCs throughout Florida) grievance procedure. This text was taken from the DJJ website on 8/21/01. Click here http://www.djj.state.fl.us/reference/manuals/detention/1chapter5.htm to read the original.

Otherwise, read on:

 5-7. Grievance

Procedures. Listed below are procedures necessary to assist a youth in filing a grievance while in detention status.

 a. Phase I.

(1) This phase is an informal grievance appeal. In this phase the youth will attempt to resolve the complaint or condition with the detention care worker on duty at the time of the grievable situation. A discussion between the youth and the detention care worker, in many instances, will provide satisfactory relief for the youth.

(2) In the event the grievance cannot be satisfactorily resolved through discussion, the youth may appeal to the shift supervisor. The detention care worker, upon request, will provide the youth with the Grievance Review Form (DJJ/PP Form 28) and a pencil. The only exception to this is that the detention care worker should not give the youth a pencil if the youth is in an extremely angered state and it is believed that they will use the pencil as a weapon. Upon receipt of the completed Grievance Review Form the detention care worker must transmit the grievance to the shift supervisor within 1 hour. If the youth is in confinement or has lost privileges, these actions will not be altered by the fact that the youth has filed a grievance.

b. Phase II.

(1) This phase is the formal grievance appeal to the shift supervisor. Upon receipt of the Grievance Review Form the shift supervisor will review the complaint to determine if the complaint is, in fact, a violation of the Resident Rights. If this review confirms that the complaint is appropriate, the shift supervisor will conduct an investigation to determine if the incident occurred as described by the youth. This investigation will include a review of all pertinent written materials and interviews with all persons who witnessed the incident.

 (2) The shift supervisor will have four hours to respond to the grievance. The response shall be in writing. If the decision is in favor of the grievance, the shift supervisor will determine what action will be taken to rectify the situation. If the decision does not support the grievance, it will automatically be forwarded to the superintendent (assistant superintendent in the absence of the superintendent).

(3) If the grievance is an allegation of youth abuse, it will be handled through the Florida Protective Services System, 1-800-962-2873 rather than the grievance procedure. A youth has the right to contact local law enforcement or the Florida Protective Services System directly. The DJJ Office of the Inspector General will also be notified using the DJJ Incident Reporting Procedures.

c. Phase III.
(1) This phase is the appeal to the superintendent or the assistant superintendent. The superintendent or the assistant superintendent in the absence of the superintendent will review all appeals within 24 hours (excluding Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays) of the appeal denial by the shift supervisor. The superintendent may conduct a grievance conference if the circumstances of the grievance indicate a conference is necessary. If it is determined that there will be a conference the complainant will be permitted to select another resident or staff member to act as their representative in the appeal to the superintendent. The detention care worker, shift supervisor, and complainant may call witnesses and present written materials to substantiate their positions.

(2) The superintendent, or the assistant superintendent in the absence of the superintendent, will notify all involved parties of the findings within 24 hours of the review (excluding weekends and holidays).

5-8. Reporting.

A copy of each grievance will be maintained by the superintendent for a period of three years
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JDC Visitation Policy

Pinellas Regional Juvenile Detention Center
Facility Youth Visitation Policy

Who Can Visit: Parents, grandparent. Legal court appointed guardians with proper paperwork, and step-parent with the same last name as spouse.

Requirements: Proper picture ID, proper attire, proper attitude, and proper mental status. Persons who are suspected to have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to enter the facility.

Rules: No one can wait in lobby, no purses, no cell phones, no tobacco, no letter, no books, no candy and no money is need.

 Days and Times: by first letter of last name                                            

 Phone Calls: 2 collect calls a week, by youths last name

Public Defenders Office Juvenile Division:         727 464-6985
Wildwood Service Center (JPO – St. Pete Area): 727 893-2077
Largo Service Center (JPO-Clwr. & Largo):         727 588-6746

 5255 140^th Avenue North, Clearwater, Fla. 33760

Jeb Bush Governor           W.G. “Bill” Bankhead, Secretary

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Welcome to PAR (Parental Awareness and Responsibility)

PAR has earned national attention for it comprehensive behavioral health care services that rebuild families shattered by substance abuse and mental health disorders. PAR's mission is

Since 1970, PAR has been delivering comprehensive behavioral health care services to families in West Central Florida. PAR is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. In 1986, PAR was named the most outstanding program in the United States by the prestigious Alcohol and Drug Problems Association (ADPA). PAR administers nearly 50 programs providing education, prevention, intervention, treatment and research in numerous locations throughout Florida and beyond.

For placement assistance in adult or adolescent treatment services, please call 24 hours
(727) 549-6015 or
toll-free 1 888 PAR-NEXT

Non-Discrimination Statement:

Acceptance and participation in the program are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender or disability. The identity and records of PAR clients are maintained in absolute confidence. PAR is a not-for-profit corporation. All contributions are tax-deductible.

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 Revised 08/24/2005

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