PbS

We're buzzing with excitement to let you know that we are collecting applications for our Barbara Allen-Hagen Award, Kids Got Talent Contest and our J. Russell ‘Russ’ Jennings scholarship. We can't wait for the young people at your facilities and yourselves to apply for these amazing opportunities. We love to recognize good work and this is a chance not to be missed!

Award winners will be recognized during our annual awards night gala in August.

Barbara Allen-Hagen Award

Established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen’s retirement, this award is given to a correction, detention and community residential facility that best exemplifies our commitment to treating all young people as one of our own. Read some helpful tips and fill out your application by March 31!

Kids Got Talent Contest

Established in 2015, this award gives young people the opportunity to showcase their talent or special skills! New this year: We have a new upload form this year that makes it easier to upload multiple files. Read our tips and upload your facility's entries by March 31!

J. Russell ‘Russ’ Jennings Scholarship

This scholarship awards $15,000 to support a young person over two years to cover the costs of tuition, books and supplies with the support of mentor who has continued their education after system involvement. Apply by April 1!

Contact us with any questions.

Dare to Dream, Discover Your Talent!

Calling all young stars in member facilities and programs! Brace yourselves for the ultimate showcase at the annual Kids Got Talent Contest by the Center for Improving Youth Justice. The stage is set, and we're ready to be blown away by your talents! Entries are rolling in until March 31, 2024 – this is your golden ticket to shine.

Explore a World of Diverse Talents!

Prepare to be amazed as we open our doors to a spectrum of talents – original music, rap, dancing, skits, song covers, art: drawing or painting, spoken word, juggling, acrobatics, and even athletic feats that touch the sky! Let your creativity soar and show us what makes your young people truly extraordinary.

Spread the Buzz: It's Talent Time!

Fuel the excitement! Rally your young stars by spreading the word about this national talent contest. Hang up the CIYJ Kids Got Talent flyer, turning your program or facility into a buzzing hub of anticipation. The spotlight awaits and your stars are ready to shine!

Guidelines Are Your Secret Weapon!

Crack open the contest guidelines on the upload page – the roadmap to stardom! Record entries while residing in the participating facility or program and submit with the CIYJ release form for each performer by March 31. Let every note, every step and every brushstroke be a masterpiece of talent.

Early Birds Catch the Spotlight!

Don't just submit entries, make a grand entrance! Record and submit entries early, giving applicants time to unearth even more hidden talents. Unlimited entries are the name of the game – the more, the merrier! Share the myriad talents of your young stars and let their brilliance light up the stage.

Facility Talent Extravaganza!

Turn your facility into a creative battleground! Host a talent show that sparks creativity and friendly competition. Submit the performances to the Kids Got Talent Contest, paving the way for each applicant to dazzle the world at the national awards ceremony.

Flashback to Awesomeness: Watch Past Entries!

Gather around and get inspired! Dive into finalist montages from previous years, igniting the spark that will set your young stars on fire. Let the brilliance of the past propel you towards an even more spectacular future.

Above All – Have a Blast!

Amidst the whirlwind of discovery and showcasing, don't forget the golden rule – HAVE FUN! Let the joy of uncovering and celebrating your young people's talents be the heartbeat of this unforgettable journey. Get ready to turn your facility into a talent sensation!

Gear up for the ultimate challenge and stand out among the best in the Center for Youth Justice's prestigious Barbara Allen-Hagen Award! This is your chance to shine and showcase the incredible strides your facility or program has made using our cutting-edge data-driven improvement model.

Tip 1: Launch into Action!

Dive headfirst into this year's requirements! Gather your dynamic site team for a brainstorming session that will set the stage for your stellar application. Don't just meet eligibility criteria – exceed them! Applications are rolling in until March 31, 2024, so why wait? Be a leader and submit your masterpiece early.

Tip 2: Unleash Your Words with Precision!

Zoom in on the questions with laser focus! Craft responses that not only address each component but leave an indelible mark. Watch the word count but let your answers burst with energy. Your application isn't just a formality; it's a vibrant narrative of where you started, why you took that leap and the thrilling journey of making change happen. It's your time to showcase triumphs and unveil the essence of your program's excellence!

Tip 3: Paint Your Epic Story!

This isn't a solo act – it's a blockbuster team effort! Delve into the collaborative spirit that fuels your leadership and team. Share the tale of challenges conquered and victories celebrated. Don't just talk about interventions; bring them to life with vivid examples. Elevate your story by utilizing data examples that will resonate with others and the judges. Your site’s narrative is not just a story; it's a beacon of inspiration.

Tip 4: Soak in the Inspiration!

Embark on a thrilling journey through the winner's circle! Watch awe-inspiring award videos from previous years and devour finalist and winner's blog posts. Let the success stories of others fuel your passion for improvement. The more you embrace the wisdom of past winners, the higher your chances of creating an application that not only meets but surpasses expectations. Reapply with new accomplishments and make this year your moment of triumph!

For any queries, reach out to your Coach or the Performance-based Standards Help Desk. Your time to shine is now!

Recruiting new staff to work for juvenile justice agencies has become a bit easier over the past year, according to about 70 professionals who gathered recently for the Performance-based Standards (PbS) Learning Institute’s 2023 Agency Coordinators Training. But attracting the right staff and keeping them remains a challenge.

As a follow up to the Strategies for Staff Recruitment and Retention resource from the 2022 training, this brief shares tips from the PbS Agency Coordinators and shares Staff Climate Survey results from the April 2023 data collection.

On behalf of the PbS Education and Employment Foundation, Performance-based Standards (PbS) is now accepting applications for the 2023 PbS Reentry Award. Applications will be collected in October, as part of Youth Justice Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness and educate the public about the impacts of the justice system.

If you are working with a young person who would benefit from up to $500 to pay for some of the small but important pieces missing from his or her aftercare or case management plan, please consider filling out an application.

Applications will be accepted from now through Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Please see the application for additional eligibility criteria.

Located a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River in rural Grafton, IL, the Illinois Youth Center (IYC) Pere Marquette serves as step-down program for the Illinois department of Juvenile Justice and has long recognized the importance of family and community to the young men they work with. When they were tasked with doing their part to strengthen families as part of the state Department of Juvenile Justice’s (IDJJ) Family Engagement Initiative in 2021 and COVID-19 restrictions were eased, they renewed and expanded their efforts to build, heal and support relationships with families and they created additional supports and opportunities for the young men when they leave.

To measure and monitor the effectiveness of the family engagement initiative, IDJJ required facilities to standardize their documentation of family contacts and connections. The team at Pere Marquette realized they were not documenting all the contacts made with families, they were making contacts with adults beyond the traditional definition of family and they were continuing to connect with the young men after they were released to the aftercare agency. In response, Pere Marquette expanded its definition of family and connection to community supports to create a bridge between the facility and the young person’s world. They created a PbS Facility Improvement Plan (FIP) to increase family contacts.

The PbS team began with education and communication. They provided staff training on trauma-informed care, formed committees for family engagement and opportunities for staff buy-in. The plan for each youth include biological family as well as “fictive family,” who are friends, mentors, staff, paramours or caregivers. They maximized the WebEx technology provided by the state, which included cameras on computers, to increase communications with families. For the young people whose families were unavailable or absent, the team engaged Transitional Support Therapy and facility staff to serve as their facility family. “Increased connectedness has allowed the families we work with to see us as part of their familial unit, versus being outsiders that their sons were place with following their convictions from the courts,” Facility Administrator Jamie House explained.

More specifically:

• To accommodate the availability of families and young people, regardless of what department they work for, staff at the facility facilitate the WebEx call. Nights, weekends and off-hours – whenever works for the family;

• To connect the young people and their support systems with community resources, IDJJ initiated Transitional Support Therapy (TST) to provide continuity of mental health treatment and ongoing support until community services can be initiated;

• To address risk for substance use and increase prevention planning, the Leveraging Safe Adults (LeSA) program focuses on emotional regulation with responsive, trained adults; and

• To ease transition back to school, each young person with an individualized education plan (IEP) is assigned an Educational Liaison. Young people are a seniors in high school are encouraged to sign up for additional services such as help finding jobs, housing and continuing their educations through rehabilitation services office by the Department of Human Services.

As result, IYC Pere Marquette increased its contacts with families from about two per young person to about seven per young person, exceeding the PbS field average and proving change and data go hand-in-hand.

Congratulations to the IYC Pere Marquette team! We thank you for your dedication and commitment to treating every young person as one of our own.

Watch the video to learn more about this year’s Barbara Allen-Hagen Award corrections category winner.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

The stage was set, with the music video playing behind them , and anticipation filling the air as the 2023 Performance-based Standards (PbS) Awards Night Gala attendees eagerly awaited the performance of the winners of the 2023 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest. Gary R. and Mee'Cour R. took the stage and began. Their poignant and heartfelt original rap song entitled ”Another Chance” left the audience inspired and moved.

The two young men performed in the Philadelphia Convention Center before an audience of about 90 attendees gathered for the 2023 PbS Agency Coordinators Training. Their performance was one of more than 50 competing in the talent contest across the country.

“Another Chance” tells the stories of their experiences and traumas of their pasts with raw honesty. The duo passionately rapped about their gratitude for the second chances life had bestowed upon them. The song's chorus became an anthem of resilience.

Their message was clear: no matter the mistakes of the past, the power to change and grow lies within each of us. As they smiled and moved around the stage performing, syncing with there vocals and add-libbing on there track, they affirmed the importance of cherishing loved ones and always putting them above oneself. When the performance ended, the room erupted in applause and cheers, Gary and Mee'Cour won over the audience's hearts and left an indelible mark on the evening. Their story reminds us that the stage is not just a platform for entertainment but a space where lives can be changed, and hearts can be touched.

Read here for the finalist blog on this years performers.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Among the impressive entries, one stood out for its poignant message and emotional depth - a spoken word poem by Shanteyja L. from the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex. Shanteyja L. chose spoken word poetry as her medium. Through carefully crafted verses and heartfelt delivery, she bared her soul, allowing listeners to glimpse into her past, her regrets, and her aspirations. Her poem not only conveyed her personal journey but also touched upon universal themes that resonate with people from all walks of life.

One of the central themes of Shanteyja’s poem was respect and the right way in which to treat others. She spoke about the importance of treating others with kindness and empathy, regardless of their backgrounds or choices. Her words echoed the truth that respect is a two-way street; to receive it, one must also give it.

Perhaps the most profound aspect of the spoken word piece was its exploration of why people act out. The poem delved into the complexities of human behavior, addressing the pain and struggles that can lead individuals down challenging paths. By addressing the "whys" behind negative actions, she encouraged listeners to cultivate understanding and compassion. It's a reminder that empathy can bridge the gap between judgment and rehabilitation. Here are some comments from our judges, “Your care came through from how much time you put into both writing and memorizing line after line--the audience is really able to hear your story.”, “Starting by talking about how you would major in politics if you were in a different situation was very powerful.”

As we conclude this year’s Kids Got Talent Contest, Shanteyja L. highlights exactly the kind of beautiful talent that can come from any facility. Her retrospection and her powerful words speak to how talented she is in this field, and I for one, can’t wait to read what she does next.

Watch this performance here, and we look forward to next years Kids Got Talent submissions.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

From Stevenson House Detention Center, two remarkable youths came together to create something truly powerful and inspiring: a rap music video titled "Heartbroken." This emotionally charged piece not only speaks of their pasts but also declares their determination to break free from their mistakes and forge a better path for themselves.

"Heartbroken" is more than just a rap music video, through their heartfelt lyrics, Julius S. and Elija K. share their personal stories that brought them to where they were, but what sets this rap video apart is its ability to communicate that pain isn't the end of the story. The driving force behind "Heartbroken" is the desire for redemption and the courage to face the past head-on. Julius S. and Elija K. use their lyrics to acknowledge mistakes and refuse to be defined by them. Instead, they choose to focus on the present moment and the possibilities of a brighter future.

"Heartbroken" serves as a beacon of hope for those who have walked a similar path, reminding them that the road to redemption is not closed off. Julius S. and Elija K.'s journey from mistakes to empowerment is a shining example of how art can illuminate paths and inspire positive change. Let’s hear some comments from our Judges, “It was really cool to see you change settings throughout the video and doing different things, it kept things interesting and dynamic.”, and another, “Your stage presence was really amazing… that was a great choice performance wise.”

Julius S. and Elija K.'s "Heartbroken" is more than just a rap music video – it's a powerful narrative of redemption, resilience, and the unwavering spirit to break free from the past's clutches. As we listen to their lyrics and witness their visual storytelling, we're reminded that everyone possesses the strength to rise above their mistakes and create a brighter future.

Watch his performance here and stay tuned for more finalist performances and spotlights on the blog this summer.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is very pleased to announce Hartford Juvenile Detention Center (HJDC) in Hartford, CT as one of the finalists for the 2023 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award in the detention category.

HJDC has an average daily population of 25 young people ages 10-17 years old who stay an average of 14 days awaiting court processing. When the agency was additionally charged with the responsibility to care for post-adjudicated young people who were older and stayed longer, they saw a noticeable increase in conflicts among residents, an increase in the use of restraints and increasing staff concerns and fear for safety. Staff survey data also showed low morale and high burnout rates. The HJDC PbS team focused their Facility Improvement Plan (FIP) on reducing the percent of staff who feared for their safety.

To do so, the HJDC PbS team responded by offering training on de-escalation and Restorative Circles and formed a Safety Committee for suggestions and discussions with staff. The Safety Committee used data from the PbS Staff Climate Survey to inform their decision-making. Recognizing the need for input from young people in order to truly realize their FIP goals, a Youth Council was also formed. The council focuses on making improvements guided by the data from the Youth Climate Survey. With these and other improvements, by October 2022, the percentage of staff who feared for their safety dropped to 15%, from the high of 50% in 2018 and 25% in 2020.

Congratulations to the team at Hartford Juvenile Detention Center: Superintendent Paul Gordon, Deputy Superintendent Giovanni Gagliardi, Facility Administrator David Colon, Site Coordinator Mia Scafe, PbS Agency Coordinator Jennifer Esposito and Executive Director Gary Roberge. Keep up the great work!

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given annually to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Red Wing Juvenile Facility submitted several great videos for the PbS Kids Got Talent Contest, especially Cody L.'s performance of "Til You Can't," by Cody Johnson. Cody's rich voice and impressive range were beyond his years. It wasn't just his vocal talent that stole the show; it was his infectious smile and confident stare that endeared him to the audience.

In his rendition of "Til You Can't," Cody poured his heart and soul into every note, leaving the audience spellbound. The emotional depth of his performance was a testament to the transformative power of music, making him an instant favorite among the Kids Got Talent viewers.

PbS is pleased to share Cody's finalist entry in the Kids Got Talent Contest. His clear passion for music shines bright and will encourage others to embrace their talents and chase their dreams with unwavering determination.

Watch his performance here and stay tuned for more finalist performances and spotlights on the blog this summer.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

The PbS Kids Got Talent Contest welcomed an incredible array of talent from young people in various facilities across the country, and the finalists from Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center- Durango shone very bright. Talent is thriving out of Maricopa County as four of the 12 finalists in this year’s contest came from this facility.

Among them, Janorion M. emerged as the winner of the solo award with his mesmerizing rendition of "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur. From the very first verse, he left all viewers and judges stunned by his performance, effortlessly hitting all the right notes, seamlessly switching from chorus to verse and doing justice to the original performance. Janorion M.'s euphonious voice and emotional delivery made him a deserving champion of the competition. Here are some quotes from our judges on his performance, “I really really loved how into it you got, especially a minute in when the song picked up.”, “You gave the song your all and felt your passion for singing and music shine through so bright.”, “You have great stage presence.”

Devon R., another finalist from Maricopa County, captivated the audience with his excellent rendition of "Cry Baby" by Melanie Martinez. Devon R.'s unique voice and theatrical presentation of his video transported the judges into his world, and his ability to convey emotions through his music was truly commendable. Some quotes from our judges, “I love the different fresh take on the song, it was really cool to see your original take on it.”, “The lighting changes were a nice touch too.”

Dylan H., the next finalist proved that poetry can be a powerful means of expression as he showcased a beautiful and poignant short poem discussing how a rose can be created in the harshest environments, but how hard it can be for that rose to grow in that environment. His words painted vivid pictures and conveyed deep emotions, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who watched. Here are some thoughts on the poem from the judges, “Dylan H.'s talent for poetry revealed a thoughtful and introspective young individual, and his bravery in sharing his innermost thoughts through his art touched the hearts of the judges.”, “Your care came through from how much time you put into both writing and memorizing line after line--the audience is really able to hear your story.”

Last but not least, Colby B., with his exceptional musical talent. Singing and playing the guitar, Colby delivered a stunning performance of "Welcome Home" by Metallica. His musical prowess, coupled with his base playing skills, impressed the judges. “You’re a very talented guitar player.”, “ I loved how you started with just the instrumentals to let the audience really focus on your playing before you introduced the singing.”, “Singing and playing at the same time is difficult, I think by the end was when you got really into it and I loved the way you ended with such passion and grit.” Colby B.'s performance exemplified the power of music to unite and inspire, and it was evident that his passion for music was a guiding light during his time at the facility.

The PbS Kids Got Talent Contest provided a platform for these young individuals to shine and break free from the challenges of their past. Their performances not only entertained but also inspired, reminding us all of the potential for growth and greatness that lies within every young person, regardless of their circumstances. Congratulations to all the finalists and may their journey of self-discovery and talent development continue to flourish as they step into a brighter future. Watch the performances of all our finalists from Maricopa County below.

Janorion M. Dylan.H Devon R. Colby.B

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

This year, the PbS Kids Got Talent Contest received some spectacular entries from the young people at Lincoln Hills School. Siuqram L. and Bryonetae W. created excellent vocal performances of original songs.

Siuqram L. set the bar high with his original song titled “Empty handed”, beautifully sung with poignant lyrics about learning to let go of what you thought you wanted . Accompanied by a beautiful music video, he started with dull and grey colors which signifyed the sadness within his heart, that later bursted into bright hues of pinks, reds, and greens as he finally felt at peace with his sadness and began to grow again. It truly was a great performance and left the judges with a lot of praise. “You can really feel the pain behind the lyrics.”, “I really admire the vulnerability behind the song.”, “The lighting change was so intentional and creatively placed, it added a lot of power to the story overall.”

Not only did Siuqram L. have his own entry, but he also collaborated alongside another performer from Lincoln Hills, Bryonetae W. A dynamic singing duo taking the mic, Siuqram L. and Bryonetae W. formed an extraordinary musical partnership, their performance was a beautiful fusion of two distinct styles, seamlessly weaving together heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies. The duo's chemistry and onstage energy were palpable, elevating their performance to new heights. Some quotes from the judges on their performance, “You guys work together well.”, “You bounce off each other well.”, “The song was great! I hope you guys make more music together and keep performing, you’re both great at it.”

As the finalists from Lincoln Hills School, Siuqram L. and the dynamic duo of him and Bryonetae W. have undoubtedly made their mark in the PbS Kids Got Talent Contest. Through their exceptional talents, they have captivated the judges and showcased the limitless potential of young artists. Whether it was Siuqram L.'s mesmerizing vocals or the electrifying collaboration with Bryonetae W., their performances will be remembered as shining examples of talent, dedication, and the power of artistic expression.

Watch the solo performance, their duo video, and stay tuned for more performance spotlights on the blog this summer.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

In 2023, the PbS Kids Got Talent Contest entries were an amazing showcase of talent, and two extraordinary young performers from Kenneth ”Honey” Rubenstein Juvenile Center stole the spotlight with their exceptional singing and guitar-playing. The dynamic duo of Allan E. and Clifton F. not only won the hearts of the audience but also impressed the judges with their outstanding abilities. Let's dive into the captivating performance of these finalists to celebrate their passion for music and their remarkable talent.

Allan E. and Clifton F. were among over 40 participants who sent in performances for the PbS Kids Got Talent Contest. Their performance stood out, impressing the judges, and earning them a place as a finalist entry – to be shared with our esteemed panel of judges. The judges were quite impressed, “What an amazing song!”, “The fact that you guys wrote the lyrics and music is incredible.”, “Having you both play guitar differently was really cool to see”, “You’re both very talented musicians.”

Allan E and Clifton F., left an indelible mark with their performance. It displays a harmonious blend of technical excellence and emotional depth, and captivated the hearts of all who had the privilege of witnessing their talents. We are so pleased to share this performance on our blog and await the future accomplishments of these young musical performers.

Watch their performance here and stay tuned for more performance spotlights on the blog this summer.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

In the world of talent competitions, there are moments that transcend boundaries, inspire hope, and showcase the incredible potential of young individuals. Today, we shine a spotlight on an awe-inspiring performance from Ferris School for Boys. Their original rap song not only captivated the judges but also serves as a testament to the transformative power of creativity and determination, earning them the title of winning group performance in this year’s contest.

Their rap lyrics spoke of resilience, determination, and never switching up on the people who love you the most. “Make a way for your family, don’t ever change on them.”. Is the first line of their chorus, and it is the backbone of their message. Again, they rap, “Never change on my dawg, cause that’s my dawg, he’s coming first.”. The song is a poignant reflection of their personal journeys, reminding everyone that in the face of adversity, it is your responsibility to uphold the ones who love you the most.

Gary. R. and Mee’Cour. R.’s performance showcased the transformative power of self-expression and the role it plays in the rehabilitation process. Through their rap, they found a creative outlet to process their emotions, channel their energy, and redefine their identities. Their words served as a powerful testament to the strength and resilience they had discovered within themselves.

We celebrate Gary. R. and Mee’Cour. R.’s remarkable achievement, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to them for their exceptional performance. Don’t take it from us but from our judges, “Really great song lyrically and musically, their stage presence was incredible”, “You could tell that you guys were having fun especially at the end, which makes the song and performance even better.”

Their talent, resilience, and unwavering spirit are a testament to their incredible potential. May their journey serve as an inspiration to other young individuals, reminding us all that when given the opportunity, support, and encouragement, every child has the capacity to achieve greatness. Watch their performance here and stay tuned for more performance spotlights on the blog this summer.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is very pleased to announce Ferris School for Boys in Wilmington, DE as one of the finalists for the 2023 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award in the correction category.

As part of the ongoing efforts at the Ferris School to reduce uses of isolation and restraints, the PbS team developed “CARE” teams to make sure the young people had someone to talk to during the critical times when behaviors and actions can escalate and they were most likely to end up in isolation and restraints. Watching the numbers of isolation and restraints decline, they decided to create a Facility Improvement Plan (FIP) to make sure young people had someone to talk to when they return home.

The Ferris School is located in Wilmington, DE and has an average daily population of 30 young men who stay an average of 180 days. It is the state’s only secure care facility for adjudicated young people. Over the years they have consistently stayed below the PbS field average with few uses of both isolation and restraints. They developed CARE teams for each young person at Ferris School to connect them right away with supportive people who can help them at critical times and help them develop skills so they can be successful when they return to their community. Each young person chooses the members of their CARE team. They can choose staff all areas of the building and shifts as well as from community services. CARE teams include psychologists, recreation and security staff, treatment specialists, supervisors, teachers and their families and social supports.

In April 2021, 100% of young people at Ferris School responding to the PbS Youth Climate Survey said they had had at least one person at home or in the community they will talk to when they need to talk or need help working out a problem. This FIP was started after seeing a slight drop in April 2022 and the site saw immediate success in their October 2022 and April 2023 climate survey data.

Ferris’ PbS team is a model for the field, with representation from all areas within the facility. They embraced the initiative, accessed local and national resources, conducted incident reviews with staff and trained staff on policy changes to support the FIP goal. They engaged family and community supports, including Youth Advocacy Program to come to the facility to attend meetings to help the young people with their programmatic goals. “We still thrive on building positive relationships within Ferris,” wrote George Iannetta, PbS Site Coordinator.

Congratulations to the team at Ferris School: Superintendent Tanya Banks, Site Coordinator George Iannetta and Director Renee Ciconte. Keep up the great work!

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given annually to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

The PbS Kids Got Talent Contest serves as a testament to the transformative impact of the arts on the lives of young people in juvenile justice programs. By embracing the power of artistic expression, the contest offers a unique opportunity for system-involved young people to showcase their skills, while simultaneously encouraging their personal growth, self-confidence and positive engagement with the world around them.

Ezekiel S., a finalist from Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center, gave it his all in a beautiful drum solo. Playing with the accompaniment of the piano, Ezekiel.S displayed a wide variety of techniques, showcasing his talent and drumming abilities. It was a pleasure to watch his performance.

Throughout the years, the contest has grown, captivating audiences with an awe-inspiring display of youthful ingenuity. The participants come from diverse backgrounds, each with their unique stories, struggles and aspirations. PbS believes that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves the chance to shine and unlock their hidden talents and that is exactly what was on display with Ezekiel.S. Watch his performance here and stay tuned for more finalist performances and spotlights on the blog this summer.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is very pleased to announce Stevenson House Detention Center (SHDC) in Wilmington, DE as one of the finalists for the 2023 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award in the detention category.

The PbS team at SHDC wanted to maximize time young people participate in school and programs and minimize the time they spent confined to their rooms. They knew it would be beneficial to the individual young people and to the overall facility climate.

SHDC has an average daily population of 28 young people ages 10-18-years old who stay an average of 49 days. The facility uses cognitive behavioral therapy as its behavior management system and placing a young person on Administrative Intervention – confining them to their room on a special unit - is the most severe sanction used and can only be used with the approval of a member of the administrative team. If approved, a young person is given due process by a neutral party. By October 2022, the average hours of confinement dropped by more than half of what it was 18 months earlier in April 2021. During the same time, they similarly reduced the use of physical restraints by more than half and fell below the PbS field average for the first time.

SHDC focused its Facility Improvement Plan (FIP) on what was causing the incidents that led to administrative intervention and improving the approaches to process and prevent future incidents. One strategy focused on increasing training for new staff to include understanding the traumatic impact of confinement on the young people, mentoring by a veteran staff and how to appropriately request and process administrative intervention. A second strategy focused on the young people. If placed on administrative intervention status, SHDC gives a young person the ability to determine how long they stay there. They are given tasks to help them process what happened and how to prevent future incidents and when complete, they return to group activities. While confined to their rooms SHDC ensures they have educational work, recreation, one staff member staying them and daily visits by a mental health professional. When they return to regular activities they are given a contract goal for one week that is shared with and supported by all staff.

Congratulations to the team at SHDC: Superintendent Katherine Kenney, Site Coordinator Kevaughn Laviea, Program Manager Joshua Fields and Director Renee Ciconte. Keep up the great work!

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given annually to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Connecting with families and ensuring young people have support in the community, recognizing and responding to trauma and creating space and programming for older youth were the focuses of the 2023 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award finalists and winners. We’ve come a long way in juvenile justice.

Change, reform, transformation – however you refer to it – it isn’t easy. This year’s five finalists prove that intentional, data-driven efforts can lead to better outcomes for young people in our correction and detention facilities. Congratulations to all!

The competition was tough. The Selection Committee votes were close. We are very proud to announce this year’s winners and finalists:

For Correction facilities: Winner: Illinois Youth Center- Pere Marquette, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Finalist: Ferris School, Delaware Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services

For Detention facilities: Winner: Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center, Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice District Finalists: Hartford Juvenile Detention Center, Connecticut Court Support Services Division and Stevenson House Detention Center, Delaware Division of Youth Rehabilitation Services

The winners will be honored during the 2023 PbS Awards Night Gala Aug. 11 in Philadelphia.

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor PbS’ champion at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice upon her retirement. The award is given annually to facilities and programs that best exemplify the guiding principle that Barbara instilled in us from the beginning: Treat all young people as one of our own. The winners demonstrate how committing to research-based standards and using PbS continuous improvement program to measure performance meeting the standards results in positive outcomes for young people, their families and staff.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Rap, singing, poetry and spoken word, dancing, drumming and beat-making – those are just some of the many talents shared by the more than 50 young people from across the country who competed in the 2023 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest. The performances were amazing, moving and reinforced our need to celebrate their talents more.

The competition was fierce! The creativity was extensive! Without further ado, this year’s finalists:

• Ezekiel S. from Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center for his drumming solo

• Shanteyja L. from the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex for her spoken word

• Siuqram L. from Lincoln Hills School, WI for his original song “Empty Handed”

• Cody L. from Minnesota Correction Facility Red Wing for singing “Til You Can’t” by Cody Johnson

• Four young people from Maricopa County, AZ, Durango Juvenile Detention Center:

o Colby B. for singing “Welcome Home” by Metallica

o Devon R. for singing “Cry Baby” by Melanie Martinez

o Janorion M. for singing “Say You Won’t Let Go” by James Arthur

o Dylan H. for his original poem

• Gary R. and Mee’Cour R. from Ferris School, DE, for their original rap duet

• Allan E and Clifton F. from the Honey Rubenstein Center, WV, for their original song and guitar duet

• Bryonetae W. and Siuqram L. from Lincoln Hills School, WI, for their performance of “Gritter”, the lyrics by Bryonetae and Siuqram and the song by Dravin Schmidt

• Julius S. and Elija K. from Stevenson House Detention, DE, for their original rap duet.

Thank you to the many staff, videographers and producers who supported and shared all the Talent Contest videos.

We await word from the judges, which is expected later this week. The winner(s) will perform live on Aug. 11 in Philadelphia as part of the PbS 2023 Awards Night Gala. We can’t wait.

Original post available on the PbS Blog: https://pbstandards.org/blog/posts/2023/june/pbs-2023-kids-got-talent-finalists/

Since I started my career in juvenile justice more than 30 years ago, I’ve listened to many juvenile justice experts, researchers, agency directors and policy-makers and I’ve learned a lot.

However, during our Second Chance Month webinar on April 4, I learned much more listening to four young people who shared their experiences with the juvenile justice system and what it was like when they returned to their communities. It was hard, they said, it felt scary, there were a lot of unknowns and not many supports. It took courage, resilience, determination and inspiration from peers who were successful. They want and need opportunities to gather with peers who understand them, who have shared their experiences and who they can feel safe with.

I want to thank Amiyah, Derrell, Jaclyn and Stephen for sharing their stories, their traumas, their ideas and their dreams during the PbS webinar: Listening to the Experts: What Young People Tell Us They Need for Successful Reentry. I know from the dozens of comments and emails during and after the webinar that I can speak for the more than 400 people who tuned in when I say “thank you” for your authenticity, candor and patience. There is much work to be done to improve our juvenile justice system. We need your help and youth like you.

Despite challenging circumstances that led to their system-involvement and the subsequent collateral consequences that the involvement caused, these remarkable young people are thriving: they are leaders in national organizations, they mentor and support justice-involved peers and they have learned to take the challenges they face with grace. Each accepts the fact that they have to work harder than other young people to overcome the stigma of somehow being not as good as non-system involved young people. These extraordinary young adults have set very high expectations for themselves and have learned to accept their humanness when they don’t live up to every expectation.

They are passionate, talented and want to make a positive impact. They want justice leaders to pay more attention to young peoples’ trauma and mental health issues and provide more and better supports. They ask us to define reentry success to as making progress toward a goal, not perfection and give opportunities to show what they can do – it’s that simple.

Their list isn’t too long and our full attention to their requests is long overdue.

Original post and video recording available on the PbS Blog https://pbstandards.org/blog/posts/2023/april/listening-to-experts-real-experts/

Contributing to the national vision of reentry success, PbS analyzes the survey responses of young people in secure facilities, community residential programs, and community supervision. This snapshot shares the voices of 4,620 system-involved young people responding to surveys about their current experiences, quality of life, preparations for reentry, and outlook for their futures.

Data Snapshot: What Young People Say Matters January 2023

Performance-based Standards (PbS) invites you to read more about the culturally-significant changes in Hawai'i's correctional systems.

How Hawaii Is Ending Youth Incarceration After More Than a Century of Colonization

Performance-based Standards (PbS) invites academics, researchers and students to access our comprehensive database to help us better understand the practices in juvenile facilities that result in positive outcomes.

Research team, Kaylee Noorman, MS and Julie Brancale, PhD of Florida State University, College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, evaluated educational reentry preparedness among youth being released from a residential program or facility using PbS Youth Reentry Survey data between October 2019 to April 2022.

Research Brief: Perceptions of Educational Reentry Preparedness among Detained and Committed Youth

This brief looks at family visitation, staff safety, and behavioral incidents before (April 2019) and after (April 2021) the start of the pandemic.

There are two aims: 1) to assess if facility-level family visits, staff perceptions of safety, and behavioral incidents post-pandemic significantly differ from pre-pandemic expected levels, and 2) to assess the relationship between family visits and behavioral incidents as well as the relationship between behavioral incidents and staff safety.

Research Brief: Family visitation, behavioral incidents, and staff safety: What changed in the COVID-19 era?

Contributing to the national vision of reentry success, PbS analyzed the survey responses of more than 1,100 young people exiting secure facilities, community residential programs and community supervision between November 2021 and April 2022.

This snapshot shares the perceptions of young people regarding their preparedness and readiness for reentry.

Data Snapshot: What Young People Say Matters

To add to nationwide efforts to reduce confinement, PbS looked at more than 2,000 records of young people exiting secure correction and detention facilities between November 2021 and April 2022.

In this PbS Data Snapshot, we share Youth Record data to describe the characteristics of young people and committing offenses according to length of stay.

Data Snapshot: What We Know about Length of Stay in Secure Facilities

More than 70 juvenile justice professionals from across the country gathered for a session at the 2022 PbS Agency Coordinators Training and described their challenges like the strain of having too few staff and employee burnout.

They talked about the demanding jobs, inadequate pay, lack of respect, and difficulties recruiting and retaining individuals who want to help young people.

They share their strategies and welcome additional creative and innovative solutions to the current staff shortages.

Read the Strategies for Staff Recruitment and Retention publication.

When Akin Fadeyi began working at Performance-based Standards (PbS), gas prices were $1.51 per gallon, Apple was launching iTunes, revolutionizing how we consume digital media, and George W. Bush was on the cusp of being inaugurated as the 43rd US President after a close and highly controversial victory over Al Gore.

That was January 2001.

Travel, technology and politics all remind me of Akin. He has traveled tirelessly back and forth across the country for PbS for the past 22 years. He tentatively, then tenaciously, adopted the latest technologies as they’ve rapidly emerged, and he always keeps me abreast of the activities of our country and world leaders. At the end of this month, Akin will retire and he will be missed.

I was at a meeting in Atlanta when PbS project director Edward J. “Ned” Loughran and I were lamenting the need to find someone to help PbS meet the needs of the growing number of participating agencies. We needed someone to travel and visit the facilities to troubleshoot, train, support and guide agencies to use the PbS program to achieve positive outcomes for young people, their families and staff. Joyce Burrell, now a PbS coach and then Akin’s boss, suggested we ask him. With a vague job description and a little coaxing, he agreed and became the first PbS Implementation Director as well as coach. He became PbS’ first Deputy Executive Director in 2019 and has been instrumental in all things PbS.

“A king for a day” as Akin says to help us correctly pronounce his full name, has been the trusted and respected face of PbS for more than two decades. His warm, wide smile, extensive knowledge and endless patience has engaged professionals to use standards and data to improve juvenile justice outcomes. He can change the minds of skeptics and manage change resisters. He makes it his business to get to know as many people as possible, to listen to everybody and be available beyond the typical 40 hours a week. He carries two cell phones to be available to both his family and his PbS friends.

One of Akin’s most visible contributions to PbS was the development of the PbS Candidacy program—the intensive training and technical assistance program provided to agencies for the first year after joining PbS. As the trainer for all new agencies, Akin recognized the need to provide them with more help and support to master the basic PbS processes such as aligning definitions and ensuring compliance with data collection requirements. He designed the program with two on-site visits for training and more off-site technical assistance so by the end of 12 months, the agencies had high quality data to use for decision-making and improvement planning.

My humble estimate of the number of facilities Akin has trained and/or coached is about 500. Thousands of young people are receiving better care, effective services and have greater chances for lifelong success thanks to Akin.

Since his first days in juvenile justice, Akin has believed that planning for a young person’s return home is the first and most important thing to do. He served as a counselor for 10 years at the Cedar Knoll Youth Center in Washington DC, leading treatment team meetings and making sure that plans for a young person to go home included connecting them with community services and schools in their neighborhoods.

He was promoted to position of Executive Assistant at the Youth Services Administration, Department of Human Services, and continued to advocate for the needs of young people, as well as help the agency improve operations and outcomes to comply with the city’s court consent decree. He moved to Philadelphia as the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Juvenile Justice Services, Department of Human Services. Among many contributions, Akin worked to expand programs in the community as alternatives to incarceration and as step-down programs after release from confinement.

We all will miss Akin very much. I will miss his friendship, wisdom, wonderful distinctive laugh and calm reassuring counsel. We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement and thank him immensely for all his time, energy and efforts to better juvenile justice outcomes.

Cheers, Akin!

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

In conjunction with the annual PbS Agency Coordinators Training (ACT), the PbS Awards Night took place in New Orleans on Friday, Aug. 5, with nearly 100 guests donning their best attire to recognize and celebrate each other. Sponsored by the PbS Education and Employment Foundation, the PbS Awards Night honors juvenile justice professionals as well as young award recipients.

Among those recognized:

• 2022 Barbara Allen-Hagen Award Correction and Detention Winners and Finalists

• J. Russell “Russ” Jennings Scholarship Recipients

• Staff Scholarship Recipients

• Employment Matching Award Recipients

• Reentry Awards Recipients

• Kids Got Talent Group and Solo Award Winners and Finalists

The festive evening included a live performance from one of the two solo winners of the Kids Got Talent Contest. Kay, from Long Creek Youth Development Center, Maine Department of Corrections, performed an original vocal titled “I Don’t Want to Love You,” impressing the audience with her professional stage presence and lyrical voice.

PbS would like to thank everyone for an inspiring evening. For more information about the PbS Awards, please visit pbstandards.org/awards.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

The 2022 Performance-based Standards (PbS) annual Agency Coordinators Training (ACT) took place in New Orleans from Thursday, Aug. 4 – 6, bringing juvenile justice professionals together from states across the nation.

Late Thursday afternoon, PbS staff including Executive Director Kim Godfrey Lovett and PbS Deputy Executive Director Akin Fadeyi welcomed guests at a reception in the downtown Sheraton hotel ballroom. First time attendees and longtime acquaintances mingled during the catered event amidst local fare including creole style paella, jambalaya with crawfish and gulf snapper tacos.

Opening remarks on Friday morning by PbS Coach Janice Shalcross established the theme of the training sessions: Creating HOPE: Healthy Relationships, Opportunities, Positive Outcomes, and Equity. Executive Director Kim Godfrey Lovett shared PbS updates and echoed the Creating Hope theme in her opening report. A group discussion focused on how to use date to create opportunities for young people was facilitated by PbS staff.

The remainder of the training day consisted of discussions geared toward creating positive outcomes. Topics such as reducing suicidal behavior, increasing family engagement, collecting quality data and improving substance abuse programming were the focus of breakout groups, allowing for participants to self-select and attend multiple sessions based on interest and needs within their agencies.

The day concluded with the PbS Awards Night, an event supported by the PbS Education and Employment Foundation. Executive Director Kim Godfrey Lovett reflected on the importance of the annual celebration. “We all do this work because our passion for helping disadvantaged young people outweighs the challenges of demanding hours, average to low-wages and physical and emotional stress working with adolescents who understandably would rather be someplace else! Sadly, much of our work is measured by what goes wrong when a young person falls short of expectations or gets into trouble again. So tonight, we honor all of you for all you are doing to help young people realize their full potential, find their paths to meaningful careers and establish nurturing and supportive relationships.” The fun filled evening of recognition included a live performance from one of the winners of this year’s talent contest.

On the final morning of the ACT, attendees gathered for focused group discussions on one of the most crucial and important issues facing juvenile justice facilities—how to recruit, engage and retain staff members. Recruitment ideas focused on sign-on bonuses and streamlined hiring processes while staff retention strategies included ongoing employee recognition programs and annual staff appreciation ceremonies.

After closing remarks, attendees went their separate ways, bidding farewell to The Big Easy with an eye on reconvening next year in the heart of Philadelphia for another chance to reconnect, learn from each other and celebrate successes big and small.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Kids Got Talent contest.

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest was established in 2015 to celebrate and showcase the creative talents of young people in participating correction, detention, assessment and community residential programs.

This year, PbS received over 55 entries from 63 young people in 22 different facilities. After careful review and consideration, the Selection Committee chose 12 inspiring and deserving performances as finalists.

From those 12 talented applicants, the following performances were selected as winners of the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest.

Group Winner:

• A group original song “Make A Change” from Ferris School, Delaware Youth Rehabilitative Services Division.

Learn more about this talented group and watch their performance here.

Solo Winners:

• A vocal original “Leave A Message” from Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility, Oregon Youth Authority.

Read about this emotional song and watch his performance here.

• A visual art and vocal original song titled “Take My Advice” from Long Creek Youth Development Center, Maine Department of Corrections.

Learn more about this creative artist and watch her performance here.

New Orleans, LA—Performance-based Standards (PbS) held their annual awards night on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, and had the great honor of a live performance from one of the two solo artist winners of this year’s PbS Kids Got Talent Contest.

Kay, from Long Creek Youth Development Center, Maine Department of Corrections, performed an original vocal titled “I Don’t Want to Love You.”

“It’s about young love and how we didn’t have it growing up. The only thing we had was each other,” she told the audience, explaining the genesis of the song.

Moments later, the soundtrack filled the room, followed by the soulful, melodic sound of Kay’s voice. With the stage presence of a seasoned professional, she masterfully held the audience’s attention until the very last note.

In addition to her impressive songwriting and vocal skills, Kay is a visual artist, her stunning artwork showcased here.

We thank Kay for sharing her talent and art with us and wish her great success in her future creative endeavors.

Watch Kay’s winning solo performance of Take My Advice.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is proud to announce Mt. Meigs Campus as the 2022 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award winner in the corrections category.

Mt. Meigs Campus was selected for using PbS data to drastically reduce the number of incidents and confinement in the facility, as well as equally impressive percentage reductions in the average duration of confinement and use of physical and mechanical restraints.

Congratulations to Mt. Meigs Campus! We thank you for your dedication and commitment to treating every young person as one of our own.

For detailed information on Mt. Meigs Campus’s achievements, visit the finalist blog.

Watch the video to learn more about this year’s Barbara Allen-Hagen Award corrections category winner.

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

Performance-based Standards (PbS) is proud to announce Hartford Juvenile Detention Center (HJDC) as the 2022 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award winner in the detention and assessment category.

HJDC was selected for their focus on increasing staff safety, addressing fear among staff and residents and drastically reducing the number of incidents in the facility.

Congratulations to the HJDC team! We thank you for your dedication and commitment to treating every young person as one of our own.

For detailed information on HJDC’s impressive success, visit the finalist blog.

Watch the video to learn more about this year’s Barbara Allen-Hagen Award detention and assessment category winner.

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2022 PbS Staff Scholarship Award. The PbS Scholarship Fund was established in 2016 to inspire, encourage and assist young people and staff pursuing post-secondary education.

This year, five staff members across the nation received a PbS scholarship to further their studies and continue their dedication and commitment to young people. We asked the award recipients to talk about the scholarship and how it will help them make an impact going forward.

Here’s what they said:

Jennifer Adams, a teacher at the L.B. Wallace School located at Mt. Meigs Campus, Alabama, is enrolled at Auburn University Montgomery in the Instructional Leadership Masters Program.

Quoting Nelson Mandela in her statement, “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference,” Jennifer went on to explain how she’ll personally make a difference. “I would like to ‘pay it forward” by eventually opening a mental health clinic for kids and juveniles. I would like to provide services specific to this age group and specifically address their needs. I would also hold mental health seminars with my professional community to bring awareness to the need for more mental health services among the population of students that we serve and my colleagues.”

Heather Horton, an Assistant Probation Officer at the Sacramento County Youth Detention Facility, is pursuing a master's degree in Psychology with an emphasis on Human Behavior at National University. Heather talked about how she plans to use her advanced degree.

“I am currently the officer that facilitates our Multi-Sensory De-Escalation Room, where I apply a trauma-informed approach and utilize an individual's five-senses to aid them in the de-escalation process. I will be able to implement my new and refined knowledge of psychology and human behavior into the programs that I provide to the residents within our facility."

Nicole Ostovich, a Correctional Program Specialist at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility, Ohio, is earning a master's degree in Social Work from the University of Akron. Nicole reflected on working with young people who have experienced trauma and how she hopes to make a difference in their lives.

“This award will assist with the cost of my tuition for my master’s degree in Social Work. I hope that by completing higher level education that I am better able to help the Youth that ODYS serves. This educational program is teaching me specialized skills to better assist youth that have experienced violence and trauma, and these skills will encourage growth, rehabilitation, and change and will ultimately improve their lives and our entire community.”

Jathyia Pickett, a staff member at Bridge City Center for Youth, Louisiana, is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice at Southeastern Louisiana University. Jathyia explained how the degree will allow her to give back to the community.

“This will help me further my career in the criminal justice system and become more of a valuable asset to the community; helping those who are in the criminal justice system grow into better citizens.”

Rebecca Raloff, a special education teacher at Grand Mesa Youth Services Center, is a graduate student in the Applied Behavior Analysis Program at the University of Northern Colorado. Rebecca spoke about her dedication to empowering young people in the juvenile justice system.

“My intention is to empower at-risk youth and their families in my community to overcome life circumstances that may have inhibited their successes. The aim of Applied Behavior Analysis is to allow youths to embrace their challenging behaviors and offer interventions that can empower positive changes in themselves. This change can foster self confidence that leads to accomplishments they can be proud of. I personally believe every child deserves the opportunity to develop new skills, even if they are in the juvenile justice system.”

PbS extends our gratitude to these dedicated staff members. We wish them great success in their educational and professional pursuits.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

This 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight features a group original song titled “My Life,” from the Stevenson House Detention Center in Kent County, Delaware.

Opening the performance with a prayer, the track begins, and we join one of the artists as he holds up the song title scrawled on a sheet of white paper. He stands solemnly inside the doorway of his concrete walled room, a narrow bed devoid of a blanket and pillow sits in the background.

A moment later, we watch the group wait patiently in a single line behind a locked door. A staff member appears, using a key to grant access to the next hallway, the sequence of events giving the audience a glimpse of what life looks like in a secure detention center.

“Way too easy to be bad/way too hard to be good/Like oh no/sometimes I feel like I’m misunderstood,” raps one artist in lyrics one Selection Committee member called, “full of substance.”

“Your message about perseverance is profound. Keep making music—you are gifted!” raved another Committee member.

We thank this talented trio for sharing “My Life,” and wish them great success with their future creative endeavors!

Watch the performance here.

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

This 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight features an original song titled “Where I’m from,” written and performed by a talented group from the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center.

The foursome, dressed in black and donning identical masks, open the performance with choreographed moves, spreading to a box formation before one artist raps into the microphone, sharing her story.

The song unfolds with each member taking a turn at the microphone, giving the audience a glimpse into both the breadth of talent on stage and the creative, artistic way they come together as a group, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Selection Committee.

“Love the sisterhood represented throughout your piece,” remarked one Committee member. “You all articulated so well!”

The performance rises to another level when the track changes, and the group breaks out in impressive, choreographed moves to Beyonce’s hit song, Formation. “The group dance at the end was the bomb!!” raved a Selection Committee member, using an extra exclamation point to emphasize the praise.

Congratulations to this fabulous group, and we thank them for sharing their talent.

Watch the performance here.

*The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.*

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

A finalist in the detention and assessment category for the 2022 Barbara Allen-Hagen Award, Hartford Juvenile Detention Center (HJDC) decided to focus on safety when the team analyzed data from outcome measures and noticed a significant increase in staff fear beginning in the spring of 2018. By October of 2018, half of the staff population reported fearing for their safety within the facility, requiring immediate intervention.

A swell in the facility’s population had resulted in an increase in conflicts among residents, leading to incidents involving restraints. A series of events including layoffs and legislation requiring HJDC to take responsibility for post-adjudicated young people made the challenge of reducing staff fear considerable. Lacking a physical location for the post-adjudicated young people, a detention center was created to house young people awaiting a court hearing. Many staff members had justified concerns as to how they would adequately work with and support the new population of young people. HJDC was faced with low staff morale and high burnout rates.

The HJDC team sought input and feedback from staff at all positions within the center to formalize a plan on how to reduce levels of fear. Recognizing that when staff do not feel safe, neither do the young people in their care, the team decided to on-board new per diem staff to reduce burnout. To support the new per-diem staff, positions were created to provide coaching, supervision and validation.

A Safety Committee focused on staff wellness and ongoing training, using data from the Staff Climate Survey to inform decision-making. Per diem workers eased overtime and double shifts and an employee recognition program was launched to celebrate and applaud staff efforts and success. Additionally, the team created a Youth Council to focus on responses from the Youth Climate Survey, effectively listening to what young people had to say, which in turn, created better communication throughout the facility.

HJDC met their commitment to reduce fear and currently has a newly invigorated team. They have incorporated post-adjudicated young people into the building in a separate unit, developed programs to support them throughout their stay and provided staff training to serve young people with longer stays.

Congratulations to the team at HJDC! We applaud your efforts and success in developing and implementing improvements that resulted in positive outcomes for both young people and staff.

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Named a finalist in the detention and assessment category for the 2022 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award, Bridgeport Juvenile Detention Center focused on staff safety to address high levels of fear during the pandemic.

After reviewing results from the October 2020 data collection, Bridgeport Detention was above the national field average for the number of staff members who did not feel safe in the facility, an increase requiring protocol and policy changes. Paramount was addressing the fear among staff of contracting COVID-19 due to the lack of protection from residents who had the virus or had been exposed to it, with specific safety measures for new intakes arriving at the facility.

Through a series of meetings, discussions and survey data received from staff requiring input and feedback as to what staff members would like to see to feel supported, protected and safe, the Bridgeport team made specific policy and procedure changes. N95 masks and six feet of social distancing became mandatory with visitors no longer permitted in the facility, moving visits for young people to a virtual platform.

Weekly COVID-19 testing was introduced for all staff, with concrete testing days and time allotted for staff to communicate issues or concerns. Test results were communicated efficiently from the Deputy Superintendent to administration, speeding up the process of informing staff members of a positive COVID-19 test to make sure they quarantined and did not report to work.

PPE Equipment was required for intake staff with incoming residents required to answer a COVID-19 questionnaire. A yes response to one or more questions led to a two-week quarantine in a designated unit manned by staff required to wear masks, gloves and surgical gowns. Additionally, staff with family members considered to be high risk for COVID-19 complications were given the opportunity to isolate if they suspected potential exposure at Bridgeport Detention. The State of Connecticut partnered with several hotels to provide reserved rooms for staff members worried about contracting and/or spreading the virus.

With the new staff safety policies and protocols in place, the level of fear decreased at Bridgeport Detention and staff members were appreciative that their concerns were heard. We congratulate the team at Bridgeport Detention for using PbS data to make specific changes throughout the pandemic to keep everyone safe!

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

The focus of this 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight is a performance from IYC Warrenville, where one talented artist gave a powerful rendition of Mary J. Blige’s “No More Drama”.

It’s no easy task to perform a hit song from the iconic singer widely known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul”, never mind an a cappella version. Yet the artist had the Selection Committee members raving with comments like, “Your voice is AMAZING!” and “Great Talent!”

The emotional performance closes to a round of applause after the artist belts out the last words. “Only God knows where the story ends/For me/But I know where the story begins.” No doubt, this is only the beginning for this impressive artist. We wish her nothing but success as her story unfolds.

Watch the performance here.

*The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.*

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

This 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight is on Long Creek Youth Development Center, where two talented artists submitted impressive performances, wowing the Selection Committee.

Singing a song titled “I am the Future,” the artist opened the performance with the words “Somali Barbie” inscribed against a backdrop framed with the signature stars and colors from the flag of Somalia.

“You askin’ about my future?” the artist raps. “Well, I am the future.” The Selection Committee agreed unanimously. “You are the future!” one member gushed. “Your confidence is GREAT and will take you many places in the future!”

Equally as strong in lyrics and content was a vocal original titled, “Take My Advice,” a performance infused with stunning original artwork from the talented singer/songwriter/visual artist. The lyrics encourage the listener to be independent in a message that one committee member called, “great for all women!”

“Love yourself more than anyone,” sings the artist from her seat at the piano, the next frame showcasing her artistic abilities while she touches up a painted mural on the wall.

Congratulations to these talented artists. We thank them for sharing their art with us.

Listen to “I am the Future” and “Take My Advice.”

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

They are the future owners of a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on food that energizes the body and mind, a new eatery to be called “Boog’s Burgers” and a welding company that employs at-risk adults to help them get hands on experience. Together Memphis M., Alejandro C. and Devin S. are the first recipients of the PbS J. Russell “Russ” Jennings Scholarship Award, headed off to earn their associate degrees with PbS’ support for two years.

“I will immerse myself in my studies, strive to attain a B+ average or higher and acquire all necessary knowledge to ensure my success,” Memphis wrote in his application. Like the other young men, he has clear goals for his education and career and the values exemplified by PbS Coach Russ Jennings, for whom the award is named. He believed in brightening the futures for young people who made mistakes and the ability to change with hard work and support.

“One thing I am very passionate and caring about is people who want to seek changes and families that are seeking help. This scholarship will help me tremendously to gain the careers I need to not only help myself but also others in similar situations,” Alejandro explained.

“I would like to provide jobs for those in need and teach the youth in my community that there is a route to success no matter your circumstances,” wrote Devin. “I have always enjoyed seeing people smile and I believe I can help youth for the better before it’s too late.”

PbS began awarding scholarships to young people and staff in 2016 to encourage and support post-secondary education. Studies show the lifelong benefits of education after high school, from higher earnings to better health. PbS’ Reentry Standards highlight the need to connect young people with schools and jobs to give them real second chances and increase the likelihood they will stay out of trouble.

Last year Russ Jennings learned he had an advanced stage of cancer. He wanted to support PbS’ efforts to promote education and made a generous contribution to the PbS Education and Employment Foundation to support young people for two years to ensure they had what they needed to start and complete a post-secondary degree. The Annie E. Casey Foundation contributed funding for a second two-year scholarship and donors from across the country and Kansas, Russ’ home state, provided additional support.

Memphis will attend Fairmont State University in West Virginia this fall. Alejandro and Devin will join students at Modesto Junior College in California next spring. PbS’ Mentor, Stephen Kaplan, meets with the young men regularly, sharing what he learned from his similar experience and making sure they have the support they need to succeed.

We are very proud of all four of these young men and know Russ would be as well. We will keep you posted and invite you to help future scholars so we begin to create some equity in opportunities for young people.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Mt. Meigs Campus, located in Montgomery County, Alabama, was selected as a finalist in the corrections category for the 2022 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award. The 780-acre campus, with an average daily male population of 112 residents aged 13-18, has a dedicated staff who’ve worked diligently over the last several years to transform an old correctional facility and approaches to a place that prioritizes positive youth development practices and offers young people opportunities to thrive.

After ensuring their data was accurate and comprehensive, the Mt. Meigs PbS team began to focus on improving critical issues, beginning with the overuse of confinement to respond to problematic behavior and collateral outcomes such as high rates of assaults and fights and use of restraints shown in their 2019 PbS data. The team knew all were related and created a comprehensive Facility Improvement Plan (FIP).

Drilling into the use of confinement, they saw most instances occurred during school hours and involved the young people in the General Educational Development (GED) program, who were mixed with the kindergarten- grade 12 students. The team took several steps to address the overuse of confinement: The team moved the GED students to a new, separate location where they could better learn skills to obtain jobs and prepare for release and created a tier level behavior management plan to address negative behaviors, including appropriate consequences for specific violations and incentives to encourage positive behaviors. The highlight of the incentive program was the “Snack Shack,” a student created and managed tropical-themed game room where young people can relax and purchase food and accessories using reward “bucks” earned for positive behavior. The team also created a staff focus team to intervene with young people before situations escalate to needing restraints or isolation. The focus team is available to meet with young people, walk around the grounds or talk in the focus room, a nautical themed space displaying the slogan, “Be Calm. Stay Anchored.”

Additionally, staff were trained on de-escalation techniques and alternatives to confinement and leadership developed an employee recognition program that recognized outstanding performance on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. Employee Council representatives were enlisted to survey staff for input regarding safety issues, with responses then informing staffing patterns and schedules, as well as identifying proactive ways to reduce incidents.

Likewise, a youth council comprised of two residents from each dorm was established to gain input from young people. The ongoing goal of the youth council is to develop recommendations to enhance youth and staff relations, decrease fear, increase positive behavior and identify areas of concern.

With these changes implemented, data in 2022 showed a drastic reduction in incidents and confinement at Mt. Meigs Campus. Use of confinement dropped significantly— with equally impressive percentage reductions in the average duration of confinement, number of incidents and use of physical and mechanical restraints.

PbS congratulates the team at Mt. Meigs for their improvements and success! We thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to treating every young person as one of our own.

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

This 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Spotlight sets its sights on duo from the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. The pair performed an original song titled “Bruddas,” a catchy, upbeat tune you’re likely to find yourself humming along to, possibly even hours after you’ve finished listening.

The duo chose to keep the focus of the performance on the strumming hand of the ukulele player, the melodic voice of the singer offscreen, yet equally captivating.

“An amazing message about brotherhood, and how it fuels your fight to keep going,” commented one Selection Committee member, giving the performance top scores for creativity and talent.

Another member clearly found the song hit the right notes for the both the season and the tropical island home of the talented duo, calling it a “summer ’22 vibe!”

We thank this creative pair for sharing their talent and congratulate them on being selected as finalists.

Watch the video here.

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

Three talented artists presenting a group original song titled “Make A Change” are the spotlight of this 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Finalist blog. The performance opens with the trio seated in chairs, talking to a Ferris School staff member about their upcoming release dates.

“What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get home?” the staff member asks, to which all three young men respond, “make a change,” kicking off the instrumental, a rhythmic beat that allows space for their individual voices to shine.

“Standing like a soldier, walking through the rain. Yeah, we’re all getting older—can we make a change…I ain’t never going back, I gotta make a change,” the group raps, flanked by the concrete walls of the secure facility.

The Selection Committee tasked with scoring contest submissions were impressed with the both the message and the performance. “Your change in mindset is so powerful. You all are choosing to take accountability and control over your destiny. Y'all are an extremely talented group! Keep creating and being a leader to your peers…love the lyrics and how each artist had a distinct style and sound,” they raved.

Many thanks to the talented group from Ferris School for sharing their unique talent and impressive performance.

Watch the video here.

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

The Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF), a co-ed facility with an average daily population of 22 residents aged 12-19, was selected as a finalist in the corrections category for the 2022 PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award for their outstanding work in improving health outcomes, specifically the intake screening process.

Based on results from their first PbS data collection review meeting with PbS Coach Akin Fadeyi, the HYCF team recognized improvements were necessary. Although their Youth Record data reflected 100% of incoming residents were receiving mental health, suicide prevention and health intake screenings upon arrival at HYCF, a very low percentage of these screenings were completed within the first hour of admission, a time frame shown to be vital in assessing a young person’s physical and mental condition to ensure their immediate safety.

The HYCF team unanimously agreed the one-hour time frame for all screening intakes would be the primary focus for the Facility Improvement Plan (FIP), and this effort between all departments became a top priority. Through a series of staff meetings, the HCYF team identified ways to simplify the intake process while adhering to the highest expectations of collecting correct and thorough data.

First, the HYCF team researched protocols and procedures from other facilities across the nation and used this data to create a new intake screening form at HYCF with more appropriate and sensitive language. The goal was to eliminate harsh language that might deter a young person from being truthful and create a more comfortable intake experience in what the team recognized was most likely an inherently difficult and overwhelming situation for the young person.

Additionally, the team identified staff members who would be trained in screening tool applications, as well as how to review every resident’s intake to make sure the one-hour time frame was consistently applied. To be successful in the overall endeavor, the HYCF team knew they needed to create a buy in with all pertinent staff members, which required discussions at monthly department meetings. Through these meetings, a dialogue was created to allow staff to gather and share information, as well as pinpoint specific concerns.

The HYCF team soon recognized that taking a proactive approach to a new resident’s arrival was crucial for success—the sooner staff knew a young person would be coming to HYCF, the more prepared every department could be in enforcing the new procedures and guidelines for the screening intake process.

With the new intake screening form implemented, along with ongoing training and meetings to review the process, the team at HYCF not only met the FIP goal of ensuring all intake screenings were completed within one-hour—they surpassed it!

Our most sincere thanks to the team at HYCF for their dedication and commitment to treating each young person as one of their own. We celebrate and congratulate your impressive success.

The PbS Barbara Allen-Hagen Award was established in 2007 to honor Barbara Allen-Hagen and her retirement from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Her dedication to improving the quality of life in facilities has helped drive PbS to its current success. The award is given to a correction, detention/assessment and community program who best exemplify PbS’ commitment to treating every young person as one of our own by developing and implementing strategic plans aimed at creating positive outcomes for young people, staff and families.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

A creative, original song titled, “Weather Ambassador,” from the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center is the focus of this 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight. Opening with a simple and elegant guitar strum, the rhythmic, nearly hypnotizing voice of the artist blends with a background track to deliver a song that one Selection Committee member calls, “A total Vibe!”

“Donald E. Long’s school is the county’s weather ambassador, working with Portland’s NWS, we collect our data to share plus collaborate in the NWS, the heat impacted our homes, with records in temperature, plus barometric low pressure, our communities of color were impacted unprecedentedly so,” sings the artist, using his talent to highlight the effects of climate change, especially for communities already vulnerable due to societal inequities.

Like all good art, the song aims to do more than simply inform—it engages and captivates as well.

“I imagine listening to this while driving down the freeway in the rain!” remarked a Selection Committee member, granting the artist top scores for creativity and talent. “Great story, message and melody,” commented another member.

Congratulations to this impressive artist, and we thank you for sharing your words and talent with us.

Listen to the song here.

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in Performance-based Standards (PbS) facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, we received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.

This 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight features two talented artists from Copper Lake/Lincoln Hills School, Wisconsin Division of Juvenile Corrections. Paired up for a duo original song titled “In the Night,” these young singers backed by the sound of a soulful, tender piano arrangement wowed the selection committee with their performance.

“Your underlying message about self-love and self-worth is abundantly needed and appreciated. The musicality is top-notch!” raved one member of the committee tasked with scoring contest submissions. “The music flowed effortlessly,” gushed another.

Equally as compelling was a solo song titled “Need None,” an upbeat acoustic original that likewise spoke of self-worth and the importance of knowing one’s value. With lyrics like, “Don’t think you can tell me who I really want to be,” the artist reminds us to listen to our inner voice and let our truest and authentic intentions guide the path forward to our best self.
We thank these talented artists for sharing their voices and words.

Listen to "In the Night" and "Need None."

The annual PbS Kids Got Talent Contest invites all young people in PbS facilities and programs across the country to submit their talents for a chance to show off their skills. This year, Performance-based Standards (PbS) received 55 entries from 63 young people in 8 states and 22 different facilities. After careful consideration, 12 finalist performances were selected and shared with the Kids Got Talent Selection Committee.

Each of the 12 performances will be featured in the 2022 PbS Kids Got Talent Contest Finalist Spotlight blog over the coming weeks as our committee determines a solo winner and a group winner. The winners will be selected based on creativity, stage presence and talent. The winning soloist will perform live at the PbS Awards Night in August.

This article was originally published on the PbS blog.