Mindy Ackerman: DJJ Central Office Employee of the Month for July

Please join me in celebrating Mrs. Mindy Ackerman for being selected as the Central Office Employee of the Month.

Mindy Ackerman serves as the Sex Offender Treatment Services Administrator. Mrs. Ackerman was initially hired to operate sex offender treatment services as a subset of programs and counseling services. It soon became apparent that this service area, critical from both a legal and a treatment perspective, warranted its own specific division. Utilizing her extensive experience working in both sex offender treatment facilities and DJJ facilities, Mrs. Ackerman, who is a licensed clinical social worker, has overseen the development of Sex Offender Treatment into its own service deliver area. Her efforts have brought order and oversight to the sexually harmful behaviors treatment program.

Mrs. Ackerman has spearheaded the implementation of a SHBP Panel and a review process for both youth in the community and facilities. This multi disciplinary panel reviews cases of our sexually harmful youth and makes recommendations regarding treatment, reentry and placement options. The words, “That’s not my job,” are not in Mrs. Ackerman’s vocabulary. She works tirelessly with facility staff, but also with community staff, community providers, the Office of Legal Services, and anyone else who requests her help.

“Mindy is one of the most dedicated and caring individuals that I have ever worked with in regards to ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of the youth and families that we serve. While she holds our youth accountable for their actions, she also works tirelessly to ensure that the youth receive adequate treatment services and assist with their successful, transition back to the community. Mindy always makes herself available to participate in the review of difficult cases and takes the time to thoroughly review the cases and offer her insight.” Richard Fox, Statewide Case Expeditor.

Mindy Ackerman is a true asset to DJJ, to the youth that we serve, and to our community.



Sincerely,

The Employee of the Month Committee

NOMINATION PROCESS
DJJ’s Employee of the Month Recognition Program
– How Nominees Are Selected

Beginning January 2015, the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice kicks-off its first “Employee of the Month” program for Central Office employees. Names of nominees are selected by the DJJ Executive Team from members of their units or divisions and submitted to be recognized as the Central Office Employee of the Month. Included with the nomination is a one page write-up detailing why the staff member should be given consideration to be selected Employee of the Month.

Then each month, the Nomination Committee makes their selection for the employee to receive public appreciation the following month. The written nomination is reviewed and signed by Commissioner Avery D. Niles and posted for public recognition on the DJJ “News & Views” website. Each nominee selected by the committee will be recognized at a monthly DJJ Board Meeting and entitled to use the Employee of the Month parking space reserved at Central Office.

The DJJ Central Office Employee of the Month award is intended to recognize and support those stand-out DJJ team members who bring additional motivation, determination and vigor to the workplace through their personal ethics, advocacy, positive attitudes and innovative solutions to impact the professional challenges faced by their dedicated colleagues and the troubled youth they serve.