DJJ provides partial funding and serves as the regulatory agency for 24 JDCs operated by local governments or multijurisdictional commissions. JDCs provide temporary care for youth under secure custody pending a court appearance (pre-D) and those held after disposition (post-D). Educational instruction is required within 24 hours of detainment (or the next school day) and is provided by licensed staff funded by VDOE’s Division of State Operated Programs and contracted through a local school division. In addition to attending school while in a JDC, youth participate in a structured program of care, which includes medical and mental health screenings and services, recreational and psycho-educational activities, and visitation, as well as volunteer services (e.g., services provided by religious organizations).
The Detention Specialist serves as the main liaison to the Juvenile Detention Centers (JDCs) and ensures effective and on-going communication and partnership. Essential functions of the Detention Specialist are facilitating quarterly block grant payments, monthly reconciliation of state ward per diem payments, yearly collection of annual expenditure reports, and coordinates process for new BADGE account requests for JDC users. Additionally, the Detention Specialist attends all quarterly VJDA meetings to communicate updates from DJJ and solicit feedback from the superintendents. The position is also involved in the contractual process between the agency and the JDCs for different MOAs.
