Department of Juvenile Justice

The mission of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is to develop attitudes, behaviors, and skills so that students may be successful, both academically and socially, upon returning to school and the community.

The mission is based on the vision that all students can become self-directed, caring, productive citizens and lifelong learners, and prepared to be successful in the technologically and culturally changing world.

Through cooperative agreements, Polk County Public Schools partners with the Department of Juvenile Justice and Polk County Sheriff’s Office to provide educational staffing at multiple sites, including:

  • PACE Center for Girls of Polk County
  • Polk County Sheriff’s Central Center
  • Polk County Sheriff’s Regional Detention Center

Types of Programs

The Department of Juvenile Justice’s education programs fall into two types: At Risk and Juvenile Justice. At-risk programs serve students who have been identified by the school system as being at risk of dropping out of school. Juvenile Justice programs serve students who have been adjudicated and assigned to Department of Juvenile Justice programs by the courts.

Both types of programs work with students who have one or more of the following problems: learning disabilities, teen pregnancy, drug addiction, mental health disorders, school dropout risk factors, family crises, juvenile delinquency, and socialization conduct disorders. These problems contribute to declines in academic performance.

Two assistant principals in the DJJ department manage the sites. Resource specialists in specific areas, such as regulatory compliance therapy, ESE, etc., support all sites. Paraprofessionals and adjudicated youth specialists also support education staff.

Need Help?

Chauncey Mitchell
Hearing Officer

(863) 457-4970 ext 462

 

[email protected]