PBIS at DJJ: Elbert Shaw RYDC Employee of the Month Michelle Kittle

Photos and information provided by Lt. Kristen Nix. Story and design by Mary Catherine Heard.

The Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) announced that Juvenile Detention Counselor (JDC) Michelle Kittle was recently named the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Employee of the Month for the facility. The PBIS Employee of the Month award is open to all in fields of Safety and Security, Medical, Counselors, Mental Health, Education, Food Service, Maintenance, Business, Personnel, Support Staff and Administration.

To become the PBIS Employee of the Month at the Elbert Shaw RYDC, employees must:

• Possess a positive attitude towards work responsibilities, co-workers, and youth and be willing to serve as a role model for others.

• Show a willingness to exercise servant-leadership, take initiative and accept and carry out additional responsibilities beyond regular job assignments for the good of DJJ.

• Be consistent, dependable and punctual in reporting for duty.

JDC Kittle Michelle Kittle is described by her co-workers as honest, dependable and compassionate. Kittle works tirelessly to ensure her work responsibilities are accomplished daily. As a counselor, she always takes time to listen to the youth and diligently maintains communications with parents and guardians. “It amazes me how after all her years here, she still very much cares about the youth and is known for giving caring and honest advice. JDC Kittle will always take time out of her day to lend a helping hand,” said one of her supervisors. She is admired for her perseverance despite any obstacles or challenges she may face. She is appreciated for “all the years, tears and level of commitment she has given to the youth and staff at this facility." DJJ thanks JDC Kittle for her service and commitment.

PBIS is an evidence-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety and support improved academic outcomes. More than 23,000 U.S. schools are implementing PBIS and saving countless instructional hours otherwise lost to discipline. The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined with acknowledgement or feedback of positive student behavior, will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. PBIS schools apply a multi-tiered approach to prevention, using disciplinary data and principles of behavior analysis to develop school-wide, targeted and individualized interventions and supports to improve the school climate for all students.