Blog

From funeral parlors to the juvenile justice courts, Valerie is a self-subscribed life-long learner, believing that every environment and encounter represents an opportunity for learning and growth.

Lisa is pointed to as the longest serving current director of a state juvenile justice agency with 15 years as the leader of the North Dakota Division of Juvenile Services. She’s done it by doing her best to do the “right” thing – and had a few instances when she thought that might have cost her her job. Her ethic to be truthful to herself and others is not always easy, but essential in establishing confidence, trust and respect in moving towards a juvenile justice system that is fair.

Melissa has rarely, if ever, been known to pass up an opportunity to talk about data. Her passion for turning data into information and she’s shared the insights with everyone from Peter Jennings and Joe Biden to middle schoolers hungry for knowledge.

A youth advocate since she was a teenager, Heidi has helped countless youths do what they are meant to do – heal, learn and grow into healthy, responsible adults.

One of five girls raised in a single parent home in rural North Carolina, Gail became the driving force behind the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), now in nearly 300 counties nationwide.

From starting out as a juvenile probation officer to running the Ferris School, showing up daily and making hard decisions is what Tanya does every day to get the best outcomes for the youths in her care.

This PbS Data Snapshot was written by Kim Godfrey Lovett, PbS Executive Director and includes data collected by PbS participating facilities during 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Data points discussed in this brief include use of restraints in facilities and youth perceptions on their relationships with staff.

We’re excited to announce that the PbS Education and Employment Foundation 2021 Scholarship Award is now open! PbS invites all staff and youths from PbS-participating facilities and programs to apply.

This year the Annie E. Casey Foundation has generously donated $10,000 to go towards scholarships. The awards of $1,000 or $2,000 will be given to help offset the costs of university degrees or college credits and support efforts to further post-secondary education. So far the Scholarship Awards have helped 15 individuals earn bachelor or master’s degrees, or college credits.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is pleased to announce the annual Kids Got Talent Contest is now open! This contest is such a joy for our staff and every year, we are impressed with not only the talented youths but the staff that supports their creative abilities. Since 2015, we have seen an incredible array of talents from comedy skits to feats of athleticism to musical perf ...