Blog

Recruiting new staff to work for juvenile justice agencies has become a bit easier over the past year, according to about 70 professionals who gathered recently for the Performance-based Standards (PbS) Learning Institute’s 2023 Agency Coordinators Training. But attracting the right staff and keeping them remains a challenge. This brief shares tips from the PbS Agency Coordinators and shares Staff Climate Survey results from the April 2023 data collection.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is pleased to announce IYC Pere Marquette as the winner of the 2020 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award for Correction Facilities.

Fundamental fairness is at the heart of a just society and essential to healthy adolescent development. Young people need to feel they are treated fairly, respected and their voices matter. They also need to see the justice system as fair. But one look at the overwhelming disproportionate number of young people of color who are sent to secure juvenile facilities challenge any sense of fairness.

The stage was set, with the music video playing behind them and anticipation filling the air as the 2023 Performance-based Standards (PbS) Awards Night Gala attendees eagerly awaited the performance of the winners of the 2023 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest. Gary R. and Mee'Cour R. took the stage and began. Their poignant and heartfelt original rap song entitled” Another Chance” left the audience inspired and moved

Among the impressive entries, one stood out for its poignant message and emotional depth - a spoken word poem by Shanteyja L. from the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. Shanteyja L. chose spoken word poetry as her medium. Through carefully crafted verses and heartfelt delivery, she bared her soul, allowing listeners to glimpse into her past, her regrets, and her aspirations. Her poem not only conveyed her personal journey but also touched upon universal themes that resonate with people from all walks of life.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is pleased to announce Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center as the winner of the 2020 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award for Detention Facilities.

"Heartbroken" is more than just a rap music video, through their heartfelt lyrics, Julius S. and Elija K. share their personal stories that brought them to where they were, but what sets this rap video apart is its ability to communicate that pain isn't the end of the story. The driving force behind "Heartbroken" is the desire for redemption and the courage to face the past head-on. Julius S. and Elija K. use their lyrics to acknowledge mistakes and refuse to be defined by them. Instead, they choose to focus on the present moment and the possibilities of a brighter future.

Red Wing Juvenile Facility submitted several great videos for the PbS Kids Got Talent Contest, especially Cody L.'s performance of "Til You Can't," by Cody Johnson. Cody's rich voice and impressive range were beyond his years. It wasn't just his vocal talent that stole the show; it was his infectious smile and confident stare that endeared him to the audience.

Performance-based Standards Learning Institute, Inc. (PbS) is pleased to announce applications are open for selected jurisdictions to receive training and technical assistance to strengthen their capacity to collect and analyze reentry data, measure performance, make data-informed decisions and continuously improve their reentry programs, policies and practices. The assistance is supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice through the FY 2022 Second Chance Act Youth Reentry Program.

The PbS Kids Got Talent Contest welcomed an incredible array of talent from young people in various facilities across the country, and the finalists from Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center- Durango shone very bright. Talent is thriving out of Maricopa County as four of the 12 finalists in this year’s contest came from this facility.