Juvenile services secretary says staffing, training and program redesigns are reducing overtime and improving safety

Madeline Miller of the Department of Legislative Services walked the subcommittee through the DJS operating analysis: an FY27 allowance increase of $1.9 million to $381.8 million, managing‑for‑results measures showing mixed trends, and a series of audit findings with corrective‑action timelines.

Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino told the committee the department has taken steps in the past seven months to strengthen accountability and staff supports. "Reducing overtime has been a major priority. Through focused management strategies, facility direct overtime has decreased by over 13% year to date," she said, and described expanded staff training in a cognitive behavioral approach (Roca Rewire) and a public‑facing data dashboard to improve transparency.

DLS highlighted caseload and population figures: the nonresidential caseload averaged about 1,742 youth in FY25 with probation cases comprising roughly 63.7 percent; DJS reported some growth in formal cases and increasing average lengths of stay for certain committed populations. DLS also noted corrective actions tied to a May 2025 fiscal audit, including background‑check procedures, procurement documentation and inventory controls; DJS said background‑check guidance for contracted vendors will be issued by June 2026.

On facility uses, the budget language in the BRFAA would provide $3 million to reopen the Alfred DeNoise Children's Center as a substance‑use treatment alternative, but the department proposed flexibility to use funds for treatment at other facilities while reconfiguring Noyes and the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents. DLS recommended withholding $250,000 pending a report on operations and the interagency plan; Secretary Tolentino asked the committee not to withhold funds but committed to producing the requested report.

Union and worker testimony underscored staffing shortages. Lakisha Wright, a 21‑year DJS employee and local union officer, told senators low staffing levels have produced dangerous working conditions and unmanageable caseloads that put both staff and youth at risk and asked the legislature to improve staffing and manageable caseloads.

Lawmakers pressed DJS on background checks, contraband prevention and whether recidivism patterns indicate problems in treatment approaches; Tolentino said DJS is redesigning treatment programs to emphasize demonstrated behavior change rather than time served and plans to expand peer recovery support models and workforce development opportunities.

DJS agreed to submit the requested reports and timelines, provide the committee updated documentation about audit corrective actions, and follow up on staffing and vacancy reduction progress.