Stories from The Field: How Jurisdictions Are Using a Free Juvenile Probation Transformation Training Series to Spark Local Discussion and Change

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Joanna currently serves as the Director of the Juvenile Community Enrichment Services (JCES) Department in Franklin County, Ohio, where she oversees community supervision, formerly known as juvenile probation. She began her professional journey as a probation officer and later advanced to a supervisory role within the newly established JCES Department, a key component of Franklin County’s juvenile probation transformation efforts. Joanna has dedicated her professional career to supporting youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system. Her passion for this work runs deep. Having once been on juvenile probation herself, Joanna knows firsthand the challenges that young people face when trying to overcome difficult circumstances and survival. Her personal journey from system involvement to leadership fuels her commitment to building opportunities, hope, and second chances for others. Driven by empathy, resilience, and a belief in the power of transformation, Joanna continues to lead with purpose and compassion. Beyond her professional life, she is a proud wife, mother of four, and devoted dog mom who finds joy and strength in her family.

Diana is a consultant to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, specializing in detention reform, probation practice, organizational culture, staff development, and research. She obtained her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 1987 and began working with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in 2001. She served for over 20 years as Deputy Director for the Behavioral Health Services and the Residential Services Divisions and was appointed as the Assistant Executive Director in 2018. In that role, she was the second in command of a probation department with 1,200 employees, including intake and diversion, detention, community-based programming, and two residential facilities. She retired as the Assistant Executive Director in January 2023. Since that time, Dr. Quintana has been consulting with the Annie E. Casey foundation, providing technical assistance in probation transformation efforts with jurisdictions throughout the country, and assisting in the design and development of probation transformation courses. In addition to her extensive experience in the development, implementation, coordination, planning and evaluation of programs in the juvenile justice system, Diana also has experience working with community organizations in creating innovative programs and approaches to address gaps more effectively in services for impacted youth.

Ramon’s life is a narrative of resilience and transformation. Raised amidst the challenging streets of San Bernardino, California, Ramon encountered numerous hurdles from a tender age. The pervasive grip of drugs and violence, coupled with the absence of positive role models, steered him dangerously close to a life marred by crime and addiction. However, rather than succumbing to the limitations of his past, he chose to defy the odds and embody "The Exception." His personal evolution now serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to recognize their potential for growth and transformation. Motivated by his own experiences, Ramon founded The Exception, an organization dedicated to promoting holistic wellness and dismantling the cycles of poverty, violence, and addiction. His life's purpose revolves around offering hope, assistance, and resources to individuals striving to reshape their destinies and enrich their communities. With over 25 years of dedicated mentorship to at-promise youth and those entangled in the justice system, Ramon has committed himself to fostering positive change in young lives and their families. Presently, he focuses on nurturing a culture of servant leadership while effectively managing relationships with community stakeholders, media, and government officials, spearheading expansion initiatives and outreach endeavors.