Gainesville-based program among new job training efforts for juvenile offenders

ATLANTA - The Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Friday announced two new programs designed to help former young offenders on the job and life fronts.

According to Avery Niles, his department will partner with the new programs,  RESPECT and  Transition to Success .

The later effort is based at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center. DJJ Associate School Superintendent Dr. Audrey Armistad said the "Transition to Success" program provides GED preparation and testing opportunities. Lanier Technical college instructors will teach the prep courses.

"This innovative program includes technical college enrollment and tuition, job training, and employment for youth involved with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, whether they are incarcerated or on probation," Armistad said.

Students who transition from the RYDC into the community can continue to receive services provided by the Georgia Mountains Workforce Development, as long as they are involved with DJJ.

The  RESPECT program or Re-Entry Skills Preparation & Education Career Training works out of the Eastman Youth Development Campus. It involves work with the Governor s Office of Workforce Development.

 Our students enrolled in this transition program are taught network building, proper attitude and behavior for the workplace, how to write resumes and how to prepare for interviews," Armistad said.