Elbert Shaw RYDC Employee of the Month: Grace Jackson

Photo and information provided by Lt. Kristen Nix

Recently, the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center (Elbert Shaw RYDC) announced that Officer Grace Jackson of the Security Team was 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 & 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, 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 the regular job assignments for the good of DJJ.

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

According to her co-workers and supervisors, Officer Grace Jackson this month "went above and beyond the call of duty in supporting the Elbert Shaw RYDC.  Absent her supervising Lieutenant, Officer Jackson took command of her shift each and every day.  Due to her exemplary work and professionalism, Officer Jackson made sure that the supervisory paperwork was filled out and that her fellow staff members had the direction and leadership that they needed.  By taking charge, Officer Jackson served as a role model and steadying influence for her staff and the youth of the facility."

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. 

To learn more about PBIS at DJJ, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/positive-behavioral-interventions-and-supports-djj