Avery D. Niles, Commissioner
DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
Michael McNeely, Deputy Commissioner
Division of Training and Personnel Services
3408 Covington Highway  Decatur, Georgia  30032
Telephone: (404) 508-5115
www.djj.state.ga.us
DJJ LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
(DLI)
Effective FY2015, the Office of Training will offer professional development programs for current
and future leaders of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The DJJ Leadership Institute (DLI)
addresses the Commissioner’s #3 priority “Recruitment, Retention & Succession Planning” and
represents the agency’s investment in the continued learning, engagement, and professional
development of all employees. The expected outcomes are improved quality and work
performance, an advanced mid-level leadership core, and a pool of better prepared internal
applicants for future leadership roles.
New Opportunities
The DLI includes a revision of the agency’s Management Basics and Sergeants Academy courses, the
development of a new Community Leadership Certificate course and a set of new partnerships that
have been established to enhance the leadership skills of DJJ employees. The Office of Training has
developed collaborative relationships with the National Institute of Corrections, Georgia State
University and Columbus State University to present advanced professional development courses
for upper management personnel.
Additional information on the external courses will be
forthcoming.
Participation
DLI programs will be open to all DJJ employees, but the primary focus will be placed on enhancing
the skills and qualities of those currently in a leadership role. Employees who are not in a
supervisory role, especially those who have demonstrated the potential for professional growth
within the agency, are encouraged to participate (with supervisor approval) in the DLI courses.
Class offerings and capacity will be limited throughout the fiscal year; therefore appropriate
participant selection will be critical.
Learning Modes
The courses will be facilitated by subject matter experts from varying organizations and
representing a full range of backgrounds. The DLI programs offer cohort (group) learning activities
through varied learning mediums such as pre-session work, on-site classroom sessions, projects,
and individual coaching. Distance work via the web, e-course work and virtual instructor led
sessions will also be included as learning methods.
For our future leaders the DLI provides a blended learning framework to build upon. For our current
leaders the programs will serve as a refresher or reinforcement of sound leadership principles.
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DJJ Leadership Certificate Series
The DLI is pleased to present the DJJ Leadership Certificate Series. The Leadership Certificate Series
represents a revision of the former Sergeants Academy program. The Leadership Certificate Series
will develop a pool of managers who will lead the agency’s efforts to meet strategic objectives,
enhance the development of line staff, and improve the agency’s succession efforts. Graduates will
obtain a stronger understanding of their role in building effective teams, strategic planning
development and command presence.
The Leadership Certificate Series will be Management Orientation Series will be delivered in three
total phases. Each phase is five days in length, and will be held at the DJJ Bill Ireland Training Site in
Milledgeville, GA. Each phase is scheduled to be presented four times a fiscal year. The Facility and
Community Leadership Level II programs will be presented as one combined program.
The Leadership Certificate Series is essential for all newly hired or appointed facility (sergeant,
lieutenant, captain) or community (JPPS III, JPM) managers and supervisors. Current DJJ facility and
community managers and supervisors who have not completed the former Sergeants Academy
program are required to attend the Leadership Certificate Series.
Current DJJ facility managers or supervisors who have attended the former Sergeants Academy are
excused from attending the Leadership Certificate Series. The Office of Training encourages
attendance in the DJJ Management Orientation Tiers II and III to enhance professional skills and
interagency growth opportunities.
DJJ Facility Leadership Certificate Level I
This course will provide facility sergeants, lieutenants and captains with the enhanced, job specific
knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their supervisory position responsibilities. Topic areas
include: Crime Scene Preservation, Teach Backs, Documentation, Situational Exercises, Command
Presence, Shift Briefing, Managing Youth Property, Customer Service, and Scheduling.
Prerequisites for Attendance: Approval for participation by supervisor, and successful completion of
DJJ Management Orientation Tier I.
Target Audience for Facility Leadership Certificate I: Newly hired or appointed DJJ facility managers
and supervisors. Appointing authorities may select non-supervisory employees who have been
identified as employees with growth potential within the agency. Identified non-supervisory
employees must have completed all three tiers in the DJJ Management Orientation Series to attend
the Leadership Certificate Series.
DJJ Community Leadership Certificate Level I
This course will provide community Juvenile Probation/Parole Specialists III and Juvenile Program
Managers with the enhanced, job specific knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their supervisory
position responsibilities.
Topic areas include: Managing the Juvenile Tracking System,
Documentation, Supervising Flexible Schedules, Running Meetings, Customer Service, Situational
Exercises.
Prerequisites for Attendance: Approval for participation by supervisor, and successful completion of
DJJ Management Orientation Tier I.
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Target Audience for Community Leadership Certificate I: Newly hired or appointed DJJ community
managers and supervisors. Appointing authorities may select non-supervisory employees who have
been identified as employees with growth potential within the agency. Identified non-supervisory
employees must have completed all three tiers in the DJJ Management Orientation Series to attend
the Leadership Certificate Series.
DJJ Facility Leadership Certificate Level II
This course will combine Facility and Community Leadership Certificate I participants providing an
opportunity for DJJ leaders from each division to communicate, share ideas and experiences, and
learn new skills together. The Level II program will provide attendees with the enhanced, job
specific knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their supervisory position responsibilities. Topic
areas include: Roles and Functions of a Supervisor, People and Attitudes, Supervisor Liability, Ethical
Leadership, Video Camera Operations, and Strategic Planning.
Prerequisites for Attendance: Approval for participation by supervisor, and successful completion of
DJJ Facility Leadership Certificate Level I.
Target Audience for Facility Leadership Certificate I: Newly hired or appointed DJJ facility managers
and supervisors. Appointing authorities may select non-supervisory employees who have been
identified as employees with growth potential within the agency. Identified non-supervisory
employees must have completed DJJ Facility Leadership Certificate Level I.
DJJ Community Leadership Certificate Level II
This course will combine Facility and Community Leadership Certificate I participants providing an
opportunity for DJJ leaders from each division to communicate, share ideas and experiences, and
learn new skills together. The Level II program will provide attendees with the enhanced, job
specific knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill their supervisory position responsibilities. Topic
areas include: Roles and Functions of a Supervisor, People and Attitudes, Supervisor Liability, Ethical
Leadership, Video Camera Operations, and Strategic Planning.
Prerequisites for Attendance: Approval for participation by supervisor, and successful completion of
DJJ Community Leadership Certificate Level I.
Target Audience for Facility Leadership Certificate I: Newly hired or appointed DJJ facility managers
and supervisors. Appointing authorities may select non-supervisory employees who have been
identified as employees with growth potential within the agency. Identified non-supervisory
employees must have completed DJJ Community Leadership Certificate Level I.
Professional Development Opportunity
The Office of Training highly recommends the consideration of employees who are not presently in
a leadership position yet have demonstrated the potential and commitment for success as a DJJ
Leader.
Some considerations for the attendance of employees who are not supervisors are the following:
 No employee disciplined greater than a Reminder 1, within the past 12 months
 Continuous DJJ employment of 12 months or longer
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
Application for participation and supervisor recommendation (see attached)
Selected participants will be provided with lodging and travel information, training materials and
course requirements once the names are received by the Office of Training.
Registration will be managed through the DJJ Training Resource Information System.
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