Office of Planning and Programs          

DJJ's Office of Planning and Programs helps to further the agency's efforts to strategically plan for growth. This office also provides DJJ staff with the latest, most up-to-date research and statistical information to help them effectively manage the agency's resources and deliver services of the highest quality. The Office of Policy and Planning houses the following functions:

• Program and Grants Development
• Planning and Evaluation
• Research and Statistics
• Public Affairs
• Juvenile and Family Relations

Program and Grants Development

Three of the primary responsibilities of the Program and Grants Development section of the Office of Planning and Programs are (1) to develop and maintain a process to locate grant funding for DJJ's programs and services; (2) to write and submit comprehensive grant applications to successfully procure grant funding; and (3) to plan and design new programs and provide on-going monitoring and assistance until these new programs are successfully integrated into existing services. The essential functions of Program and Grants Development include:

• Grant funding
• Comprehensive grant applications
• Best-practice program research
• Program review and approval
• Program database creation

Planning and Evaluation

The Planning and Evaluation section is dedicated to helping all of DJJ's stakeholders link performance measures to the agency's strategic plan. This section helps agency staff develop effective programs and services that are based on national "best-practice" models. This is accomplished through an evaluation/audit system that ensures the integrity of DJJ's programs. As the primary project-planning arm of the agency, the Planning and Evaluation section is developing DJJ's three- to five-year plan and linking agency operations to long-term planning. The essential functions of Planning and Evaluation include:

• Performance measurement
• Technical assistance
• Agency evaluation/audit system

Research and Statistics

Research and Statistics staff provide support and expertise to promote data-based decision making and to encourage the use of technology for the efficient, effective management of programs and services throughout DJJ. Research and Statistics staff are committed to conducting, overseeing, and communicating the results of research to keep employees and stakeholders informed about the performance of the agency and about trends within the juvenile justice system. One of the primary responsibilities of this section is preparing DJJ's Annual Statistical Report, a user-friendly overview of juvenile delinquency trends in South Carolina that documents the response of the justice system to youth crime. The essential functions of Research and Statistics include:

• Preparing data management reports
• Providing statistical support
• Conducting research projects
• Performing data collection and analysis
• Responding to external requests for data

Public Affairs provides DJJ public information services, including developing agency publications and assisting with agency public activities. The essential functions of Public Affairs are:

• Developing agency publications
• Deveoping agency videos
• Media relations
• Developing and maintaining the agency website
• Responding to public inquiries
• Maintaining the Agency Museum and Library

Juvenile and Family Relations serves as an advocate for the juveniles, as well as their families, who are under the supervision and/or have been placed in the custodial care of DJJ.  This office is primarily responsible for investigating complaints and formal grievances filed by and/or on behalf of the juveniles.  The essential functions of Juvenile and Family Relations are:

• Juvenile advocacy and representation
• Juvenile grievance process
• Family orientation

 

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
4900 Broad River Road
Columbia SC, 29212-3552
Telephone: 803-896-9749

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. THE FOLLOWING OFFICES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED TO HANDLE INQUIRIES REGARDING THE NONDISCRIMINATON POLICIES: Title IX -- Inspector General's Office -- 803-896-9595 Title II & 504 -- Special Education Office -- 803-896-8484.