Montgomery County Juvenile Court

August means back to school for most Montgomery County youth, including those in Detention. Eight community volunteers recently shared some tips and advice during a ‘New Ideas … And a Plan” Back to School symposium. The Aug. 1 workshops covered topics such as culinary arts, etiquette, applied theater, life after incarceration, personal development, and access to higher education. These sessions were designed to provide the youth with inspiration and practical tools to enhance their personal development. Special thanks to the local professionals, who generously shared their time and expertise, including: Michelle Hayford, University of Dayton professor of theater; Audrey Hardy, family advocate; Ernest Edwards & Robert Mackey, Sunlight Village project manager and lead youth advocate; Karl Perkins, vice-president of marketing at the Educational Empowerment Group; Eli Taylor, returning citizen facilitator; Marc Dewitt, assistant director of Wright State University’s Bolinga Black Cultural Resources Center; and Eric Evans, owner of Dayton BBQ Co.

Congrats to the 12 high school students who completed summer courses through a new pilot program between the Court, Graduation Alliance, and the Montgomery County Educational Service Center.

This past week, Juvenile Court celebrated the retirements of two long-time employees, William Jarvis and Mattie Flournoy, after a combined 90 years of service at the Court. Jarvis worked in Detention for 46 years, retiring as a hearing officer. During his farewell party, his fellow employees recognized his diligence in training new employees and caring for detained youth (who gifted him with a portrait they painted.) Flournoy retired as an administrative secretary in Probation. She began working at the Court in 1974, only leaving for a short time to work at a private law firm, and returning in 1978. She was the first face whom most people saw when entering Probation’s Merrimac Ave. building, and was known for her melodic voice, often singing the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ at the Court’s Employee Recognition events.

Students at the Nicholas Residential Treatment Center embarked on individual, in-depth research projects during this summer’s education session. Today, they got the chance to present what they've learned to their fellow students, as well as staff and administrators at an Educational Expo. Their projects focused on a wide range of topics such as the history of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and STEM subjects such as forest health monitoring of soil quality, or triangulating tree locations. One student studied the necessary temperature and humidity parameters for incubating eggs and hatching chickens.

Probation officers play a vital role in the justice system by bridging the gap between the court and the community. During this week’s 25th annual Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week (July 21-27), Juvenile Court wants to recognize its Probation Services employees. Thank you to all those who supervise Court-affiliated youth and link them to community partners for restitution, treatment, education, training and other services. This important work requires patience and diligence, and has the potential to change the trajectory of many young people’s lives. (Photos from today’s #PPPSWeek2024 cookout)

Basketball, kickball, tug-of-war, snow cones, and many more outdoor activities. Staff at the Nicholas Residential Treatment Center recently hosted a fun Field Day for Court-affiliated youth at Arthur O. Fisher Park, located adjacent to the Center. 

Thirty new employees representing 17 different positions were officially sworn in by Judge Helen Wallace and Judge Julie Bruns at Juvenile Court today. The quarterly orientations, organized by the Human Resources team, involve tours of all court facilities and introductions by all department directors. This time, it also involved some trivia, prizes, and a competitive round of rock, paper, scissors. 😁

“Ok, let’s make a play here!” “Big hit, buddy.”  The cheers at the Delco Park softball fields in Kettering were full of encouragement during the Probation department’s annual softball tournament. For some, it was the youth’s first time ever playing; and for others, it was a chance to show off their athleticism. The annual event, sponsored by Building Bridges and the Riverdale Optimist Club, encourages youth to practice teamwork, communication and leadership skills.

If you, or someone you know, has experience working in a residential or group home facility and is looking for a new job, please check out the Youth Specialist Supervisor position that is available at the Center for Adolescent Services. See comments for link to apply.

Tiffany Dulin has worked at Montgomery County Juvenile Court for 24 years, the last nine serving as the director of the Intervention Center. Today, she was named the new deputy court administrator. Dulin is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Court Manager through the National Center for State Courts. She also has previous experience working at the Daybreak runaway shelter, Killian Counseling and Consulting, and South Community Behavior Health Inc., where she worked as a Functional Family Therapist. Dulin graduated from Dayton’s Colonel White High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, specializing in Juvenile Justice from Alabama State University, located in Montgomery, Alabama. She earned a master’s degree in Community Counseling from the University of Dayton. “Tiffany’s in-depth knowledge of the court and our community, along with her passion for young people, justice and progress, make her a natural fit for the role of deputy court administrator,” said Eric Shafer, court administrator. “In this role, she will help lead and manage the extensive day to day operations of our court,” he said. Dulin also serves as an instructor for the Better Business Bureau’s Stop Shoplifting Program, and is an active member of the Dayton Mediation Center’s Advisory Board. She has also previously served as a member of the Dayton Public School’s Foundation Board, and a mentor for the Montgomery County Female Leadership Academy.