Public Comments for 02/05/2024 Appropriations - Compensation and Retirement Subcommittee
HB230 - Health insurance; cost sharing for breast examinations.
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AdvaMed and the AdvaMed Medical Imaging Division are writing in support of HB 230, a bill increasing access to medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging by eliminating the burden of patient cost-sharing.
Good morning, My name is Genise Smith-Watkins, and I am the State Policy & Advocacy Manager for Susan G. Komen. I am reaching out in support of HB 230, which will eliminate cost-sharing for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. For clarity on the scope of the bill, we have included the definitions of diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Widespread access to preventive screening mammography is available to millions of women as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Unfortunately, most individuals at a higher risk of breast cancer or those requiring follow-up imaging due to an abnormal mammogram result face hundreds to thousands of dollars in patient cost sharing for this required imaging – all before they are even potentially diagnosed with breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer is not possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. A Komen-commissioned study found the out-of-pocket costs for patients to be high, with much variation for diagnostic breast imaging. For example, the average patient cost for a mammogram is $234, and for a breast MRI, $1,021. The study also found that the inconsistency in cost and coverage is a recognized concern among patients, and health care providers. This leads to additional stress and confusion for patients who are already dealing with the daunting possibility of a breast cancer diagnosis. As committed partners in the fight against breast cancer, we know how deeply important it is for all cancer patients to have fair and equitable access to breast imaging that may save their lives. As such, we support HB 230 and urge you to pass this critical legislation, which eliminates burdensome out-of-pocket costs for patients. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Genise Smith-Watkins
January 23, 2024 Good afternoon, The undersigned patient and provider organizations, which advocate on behalf of the Virginia breast cancer community, encourage your support of House Bill 230. If passed, this legislation would increase access to medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging by eliminating burdensome patient cost sharing. Studies show that individuals facing high out-of-pocket costs associated with diagnostic and supplemental imaging are less likely to complete their recommended follow-up imaging. This can mean the person will delay care until the cancer has spread to other parts of the body making it much deadlier and more costly to treat. While access to preventive screening mammography is available as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), unfortunately, individuals at a higher risk of breast cancer and those requiring follow-up imaging due to an abnormal mammogram result face hundreds to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. An estimated 12% of individuals require additional follow-up imaging after an abnormal mammogram. Early detection of breast cancer is not possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental imaging would improve access and utilization of the services, allowing more timely diagnosis of breast cancer. This change could also lead to improved health outcomes and reduced costs to the health care system. Sponsored by Delegate Shelly Simonds, Delegate Delores McQuinn, Delegate Jeion Ward, Delegate Kannan Srinivasan, and Senator Barbara Favola, House Bill 230 is scheduled to be heard in the VA House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #1 on January 23, 2024. As committed partners in the fight against breast cancer, we know how deeply important it is for people to have fair and equitable access to breast imaging that may save their lives. We respectfully urge your support of House Bill 230 and encourage its passage through its first committee stop (VA House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #1). Thank you for your leadership and continued commitment to Virginia. If you have any questions, please reach out to Genise Smith-Watkins, Susan G. Komen’s State Policy & Advocacy Manager, at gsmithwatkins@komen.org or (980) 349-9983. Sincerely, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Rayus Radiology Richmond Academy of Medicine Susan G. Komen Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation Virginia Radiological Society
The undersigned patient and provider organizations, which advocate on behalf of the Virginia breast cancer community, encourage your support of House Bill 230. If passed, this legislation would increase access to medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging by eliminating burdensome patient cost sharing.
The VA NAACP support HB 230,692,604,906
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
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Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
I support this bill and as a healthcare professional I strongly see the need for this to be implemented!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
I fully support the efforts put forth regarding Delegate Simmond's proposal.
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill
This bill would definitely help
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out of pocket cost for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an early diagnosis. Please support the bill!
Good morning, Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Please continue to allow any and all coverage preventive breast cancer care, treatment, and testing.
Early diagnosis is important!!! “Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
I’m in support of this bill to better help women with breast examinations.
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!” Thank you
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Being from a family in which breast cancer seems to have a permanent home, I truly understand why early detection of it is extremely important, and insurance coverage for any and all follow-ups is detrimental to saving lives. Therefore, for some women, "early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!"
"Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
I am writing as a concerned citizen to express my support for Delegate Simonds' bill, HB230. This bill would protect patients from expensive out-of-pocket costs for follow-up diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, or MRIs. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer is essential to ensuring better health outcomes. Eliminating expensive financial barriers to accessing diagnostic breast imaging can help save lives. Delaying either diagnosis or treatment due to financial constraints can be devasting both to the individual's mental health and potential disease progression. Unfortunately, I (now) have a family history of breast cancer and when I went in for a screening, abnormalities were found that necessitated additional screenings every six months for a two-year period, which required both a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. While this was necessary for my health, it proved to be quite financially onerous as I struggled to figure out how to afford the expensive copays for diagnostic mammograms (which are coded differently than screening mammograms) and ultrasounds. When you're struggling with, not only coming to terms with a potentially life-altering health diagnosis, but also managing the care needed for that health condition, figuring out how to deal with the ensuing medical bills is another unnecessary and burdensome task during a particularly difficult time.
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
I am considered high risk due to my twin sister, older sister recently being diagnosed with breast cancer 4 years ago. I too have have coupling cysts that grew large in my breasts and had to have them removed. I will continue to be high risk and the costs to have the proper care needed to have tests, scans and ultrasounds completed become an out of pocket cost to me even with insurance. My twin sister just so happened to pay out of pocket to get that 3D imaging done even after already having a mammogram within a few months. After the scans they found the cancer which was spreading. Had she not she would possibly not have even known and she was at Stage 2. My older sister also paid out of pocket costs after my twin was diagnosed a year later, putting off the cost. She too was diagnosed with a very aggressive breast cancer! Early detection is the key and it make it very hard to receive the assistance even with insurance because it is NOT covered. I paid $75.00 three years ago. My sisters are both cancer free at this time! Still paying off some bills for care!!! Those with no insurance would never be served due to the costs as well to save their lives! I continue to be concerned about this since my daughter also had to have three cysts removed and I now have two granddaughters!
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Breast cancer is most prevalent in the black community. Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Most often cancer detection is prolonged due to the lack of awareness and limited access to medical care. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Chances are, you know at least one person who has been personally affected by breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Let's help save the lives of your loved ones and friends. Please support this bill!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
“Early detection of breast cancer would not be possible without the medically necessary diagnostic follow-up or additional supplemental imaging required to rule out breast cancer or confirm the need for a biopsy. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!”
The timely identification of breast cancer hinges on essential diagnostic follow-ups and supplementary imaging software. These are crucial for either ruling out breast cancer or confirming the necessity of a biopsy. By removing out-of-pocket expenses, we can enhance accessibility, enabling more patients to receive early diagnoses and ultimately save lives! Please support to this bill.
My mother had breast cancer, and I am considered “high risk.” Last month, I found a lump in my right breast, and my doctor immediately ordered a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. Despite having very good health care coverage, my out of pocket expense was $485.00. There are many women who could not afford this. Imagine having to choose between preventive care or daycare costs. Eliminating out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic and supplemental imaging can improve access and lead to more patients receiving an earlier diagnosis. Please support this bill!
Good evening, My name is Genise Smith-Watkins, and I am the State Policy & Advocacy Manager for Susan G. Komen. I am reaching out in support of HB 230, which will eliminate cost-sharing for medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging. For clarity on the scope of the bill, we have included the definitions of diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations according to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. I am attaching our written comments.
See attachment, please. Zachary Brunnert
As a Breast Radiologist in Richmond for 16 years, and member of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation and Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia, I am writing in support of HB 230. Considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening, mammography reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer by up to 40% when performed yearly in women of average risk over age 40 through early detection of stage 0 and stage 1 cancers. Thankfully it is a mandated covered service. For the approximately 10% of women called back for additional evaluation after an abnormal screening, the out of pocket cost even after insurance is billed can be significant, and deter them from returning for potentially life changing and lifesaving care. A 2023 study showed 21% of women polled would skip additional recommended imaging if they knew they had to pay a deductible (1). In another, patients in plans with higher degrees of cost-sharing had lower utilization of diagnostic imaging, and this was more pronounced for the most expensive service studied—breast MRI, which has the highest cancer detection rate of them all (2). Underinsured women, or those who have high deductible plans, face financial barriers that can lead to a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer, resulting in advanced disease that requires more aggressive, often toxic (and more costly) treatments. Yesterday I had to tell a 40 year old mother of 6 that she has breast cancer. As devastating as it is, I was able to reassure her that it is curable, her prognosis is excellent, and this will not prohibit her from living a long, healthy life. I was able to provide this hope because I found her cancer early (stage 0), on her first-ever screening mammogram. And because she was able afford the out of pocket cost for additional imaging and an x-ray guided biopsy that provided this diagnosis. As the Medical Director of Breast Imaging at my institution, I hear of patients who cancel or “no-show” for diagnostic imaging appointments because of cost at least weekly. One recent patient was told that her co-pay for the diagnostic mammogram alone would be $1500. Any necessary ultrasound, imaging-guided biopsy, and MRI would be extra. She declined all tests even after speaking with our scheduling director, nurse, and myself. Yet in DE, MD, NM, OR, TN, and WA, states in which legislation has been passed to reduce or eliminate cost-sharing for diagnostic imaging (or if this were colorectal cancer screening, for which similar legislation was passed last year by the Biden administration), she would have been able to seamlessly continue her care. Even bundling the cost of diagnostic imaging with screening could potentially remove financial barriers while limiting the increases in overall cost, and still incentivize appropriate utilization (3). There is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence that screening mammograms save lives. But this is only possible when the next steps are taken to confirm a diagnosis of cancer. Free screenings but cost prohibitive diagnostics leave women stranded, regardless of technological advances and medical expertise. Thank you for your time and consideration of this issue amidst the myriad of your other duties. Your support for this bill would reduce the burdens of cancer for our fellow Virginians, and help close the gap of health disparities and inequities in the Commonwealth. Sincerely, Priti A. Shah, MD pshah002@gmail.com
HB231 - Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for animal control officers.
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HB274 - Workers' compensation; presumption of compensability of infertility for firefighters.
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HB385: there’s an importance and safety to having two man crews.. safety for the company and the public.
Chairman Rapaport of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission is on line and available to address any questions.
HB300 - Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers.
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Per the JLARC report on Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits. Enhanced retirement benefits allow employees with a high level of public safety responsibility and physical and psychological demands to retire early. A 911 Dispatcher can Job performance can affect the safety of members of the public and other employees. The JLARC study showed that 911 Dispatchers have the same level of public safety reasonability as State Troopers, Local Police, Deputy Sheriff’s, Firefighters, EMT’s and Jail staff. While our physical level of demand is not high. We are regularly exposed to traumatic incidents over the phone, such as domestic violence or individuals in crisis, according to the JLARC survey of public safety occupations and JLARC staff interviews. As a result, they have moderate to high rates of mental health-related workers’ compensation claims. This Bill will provide local governments the option to elect provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers. Virginia does not have an official or statutory policy for when enhanced retirement benefits should be provided for public safety officials, nor were any policies identified that have been developed nationally across states. However, Virginia has generally recognized the primary rationale for providing enhanced retirement benefits to certain public safety occupations is that the physical and psychological demands of the job make their job responsibilities more difficult to perform as individuals age. The re-traumatization demands of the job make our job responsibilities more difficult to perform as individuals age. I would like to give my support to this bill and let local governments have the option to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, My name is Danny Clary and I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Chair Willett and Committee, Please consider supporting HB 300 to prioritize public safety in Virginia by allowing local governments to offer enhanced retirement benefits to 911 dispatchers who perform hazardous services. This bill will recognize the crucial importance and role that 911 dispatchers play in ensuring public safety. 911 dispatchers are the first line of defense assisting in emergencies and performing hazardous services. They should be recognized as first responders since they serve as a lifeline for our citizens, law enforcement, and fire and rescue services. They are responsible for protecting and preserving life, and property. The prompt response of appropriate personnel, and resources, and the quality and accuracy of information obtained by dispatchers are critical to the safety of citizens, law enforcement, and emergency services during an emergency or tragedy. Communication 911 dispatchers endure extreme stressors while performing their duties, often dealing with life-and-death situations 24/7. During the worst and most traumatic situations, they must quickly and calmly attain accurate information, actively listen, assess, and act decisively in disseminating and giving instructions, including life-saving instructions. As dedicated professionals in a high-stress and demanding environment, they receive extensive and continued training to ensure the highest quality of service is provided, ensuring the public's safety. They serve with great compassion, professionalism, and dedication and are the critical contact for our entire emergency system. Without the vital communication provided by 911 Dispatchers, public safety would be jeopardized. As the wife of a police officer, I understand the importance of dispatchers who are his lifeline providing critical and prompt information for his safety. Dispatchers are LIFELINES. They are invaluable. I know firsthand the emotional and physical stress and hardship first responders face, including 911 Dispatchers. I am thankful that Montgomery County supports the recognition of our 911 Dispatchers as First Responders. Please give these dedicated heroes who first answer the call and work hand in hand with law enforcement, fire, and rescue services to keep us safe, the benefits and recognition they deserve. Thank you.
I am writing in support of HB 300. As a retired Virginia State Police Trooper I know first hand the kind of work that Dispatchers deal with. They are the first ones to deal with tragedy and disaster. The stress they face and the ability to calmly refer the issue to the proper agency is amazing. Whether it is talking someone through CPR or how to deliver a baby they must remain calm to get the proper help to whoever needs it. Or sometimes it involves the very people who they have come to know and work with, our police officers and firefighters. This stress takes a lot out of a person. Then throw in the shift work which sometimes involves a rotating shift and the complex equipment and know how to get information quickly. It takes a special person to fill this extremely important job and we need to support them. I currently serve as the Vice Chair on the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and would ask you all to support HB 300.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
HB321 - Line of Duty Act; increases payment of benefits.
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The City of Portsmouth strongly supports this bill. There is no amount of money that can ease the pain of a lost loved one. This additional LODD benefit is recommended to be supported by our localities and legislators. Please support!
HB531 - Workers' compensation; injuries caused by repetitive and sustained physical stressors.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
Please pass HB531. It is a necessary bill which would help to provide relief to many Virginians suffering continuous non-qualifying injuries due to the repetitive nature of their occupations. According to the Society of Diagnostic Medicial Sonography, "Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs) are painful injuries affecting muscles, nerves, ligaments and tendons of up to 90% of sonographers and other users of diagnostic medical sonography." Currently these injuries do not qualify for Worker's Compensation, despite them occurring as a direct result to a lack of education on the biomechanical risks, non-ergonomic room/equipment arraignments, and sonographers being pushed to do more patients at quicker paces. Proper room arraignment, ergonomic tables, ergonomic equipment, and proper scheduling with breaks can help mitigate these risks. Passing this bill would also encourage employers to educate and mitigate such biomechanical risks. Please support our Commonwealth's wonderful sonogoraphers by ensuring they qualify for workers compensation if they suffer a WRMSD due to injuries or diseases from conditions resulting from repetitive and sustained physical stressors. I urge you to pass this bill.
HB385: there’s an importance and safety to having two man crews.. safety for the company and the public.
HB630 - Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
Per the JLARC report on Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits. Enhanced retirement benefits allow employees with a high level of public safety responsibility and physical and psychological demands to retire early. A 911 Dispatcher can Job performance can affect the safety of members of the public and other employees. The JLARC study showed that 911 Dispatchers have the same level of public safety reasonability as State Troopers, Local Police, Deputy Sheriff’s, Firefighters, EMT’s and Jail staff. While our physical level of demand is not high. We are regularly exposed to traumatic incidents over the phone, such as domestic violence or individuals in crisis, according to the JLARC survey of public safety occupations and JLARC staff interviews. As a result, they have moderate to high rates of mental health-related workers’ compensation claims. This Bill will provide local governments the option to elect provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers. Virginia does not have an official or statutory policy for when enhanced retirement benefits should be provided for public safety officials, nor were any policies identified that have been developed nationally across states. However, Virginia has generally recognized the primary rationale for providing enhanced retirement benefits to certain public safety occupations is that the physical and psychological demands of the job make their job responsibilities more difficult to perform as individuals age. The re-traumatization demands of the job make our job responsibilities more difficult to perform as individuals age. I would like to give my support to this bill and let local governments have the option to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers.
The men and women of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police support the passing of this legislation. The Commonwealth of Virginia needs to recognize the hard work and training this profession requires, as well as the toll it takes on the emergency telecommunicators. Emergency Telecommunicators are subjected to repeated psychological trauma as the JLARC report cites, I encourage everyone to support this bill and pass it unanimously.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, My name is Danny Clary and I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
We serve our community on a 24/7 basis and work hard and hear horrible things. to say that we are administration is not correct we are public safety , we ensure scene saftey ,obtain pertinent information , give life saving instructions ,and hear potentially traumatic things everyday! Please consider this bill ! When your spouse , children and family call 911 we will be there to answer and ensure that resources are sent ! We ask you consider all we sacrifice for citizens and give us your support! Thank you
Mr. Chairperson, I ask that you please support this bill. Dispatchers are essential personnel to public safety and our communities. They are the first line in supporting our citizens and getting them the care and support they need. Without them, we would not have a functional public safety system for our field providers or citizens. They are expected to be at their console answering the radio regardless of what may be happening, such as a winter storm, disaster, pandemic, major incidents, major storms, and under many other circumstances. They answer calls and walk citizens through life saving measures until help arrives. They talk victims through how to survive bad situations until help arrives. They have to be able to interrupt and understand conversations by just listening. Our dispatchers are often forgotten about and do not get the credit they deserve. They are essential to public safety and therefore deserve all the same benefits as everyone else in public safety.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
HB631 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System; extends membership to emergency dispatchers.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
Per the JLARC report on Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits. Enhanced retirement benefits allow employees with a high level of public safety responsibility and physical and psychological demands to retire early. A 911 Dispatcher can Job performance can affect the safety of members of the public and other employees. The JLARC study showed that 911 Dispatchers have the same level of public safety reasonability as State Troopers, Local Police, Deputy Sheriff’s, Firefighters, EMT’s and Jail staff. While our physical level of demand is not high. We are regularly exposed to traumatic incidents over the phone, such as domestic violence or individuals in crisis, according to the JLARC survey of public safety occupations and JLARC staff interviews. As a result, they have moderate to high rates of mental health-related workers’ compensation claims. This Bill will provide local governments the option to elect provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers. Virginia does not have an official or statutory policy for when enhanced retirement benefits should be provided for public safety officials, nor were any policies identified that have been developed nationally across states. However, Virginia has generally recognized the primary rationale for providing enhanced retirement benefits to certain public safety occupations is that the physical and psychological demands of the job make their job responsibilities more difficult to perform as individuals age. The re-traumatization demands of the job make our job responsibilities more difficult to perform as individuals age. I would like to give my support to this bill and let local governments have the option to provide enhanced retirement benefits for hazardous duty service to full-time salaried 911 dispatchers.
The men and women of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police support the passing of this legislation. The Commonwealth of Virginia needs to recognize the hard work and training this profession requires, as well as the toll it takes on the emergency telecommunicators. Emergency Telecommunicators are subjected to repeated psychological trauma as the JLARC report cites, I encourage everyone to support this bill and pass it unanimously.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, My name is Danny Clary and I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
The 911 dispatchers are an integral part of public safety. They are often the only communication between the victims and officers, EMS providers, and any other professional called for help in emergency situations. They have to think on the fly in how each victim is handled and often times saves the victim from harmful behaviors/incidents. The only thing that differentiates these dispatchers from those who are currently considered as public safety personnel is their communication maintained over the phone and not in person. Those in person not only offer a kind, caring show of emotion but are able to gain the trust of the victim face to face. A dispatcher can only achieve the victim’s trust through their voice. This requires the dispatcher to be better trained and better communicators…. and can make the difference in whether the outcome of every incident is successful or not. They have no visual contact or view of the circumstances and can only get details from the victims to aid officers and/or emergency personnel. The overall experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of these dispatchers is critical in making each incident as successful as possible and without their assistance, other public safety personnel would not achieve success or ultimately save someone’s life….. full definition of Public Safety!!!
We serve our community on a 24/7 basis and work hard and hear horrible things. to say that we are administration is not correct we are public safety , we ensure scene saftey ,obtain pertinent information , give life saving instructions ,and hear potentially traumatic things everyday! Please consider this bill ! When your spouse , children and family call 911 we will be there to answer and ensure that resources are sent ! We ask you consider all we sacrifice for citizens and give us your support! Thank you
Mr. Chairperson, I ask that you please support this bill. Dispatchers are essential personnel to public safety and our communities. They are the first line in supporting our citizens and getting them the care and support they need. Without them, we would not have a functional public safety system for our field providers or citizens. They are expected to be at their console answering the radio regardless of what may be happening, such as a winter storm, disaster, pandemic, major incidents, major storms, and under many other circumstances. They answer calls and walk citizens through life saving measures until help arrives. They talk victims through how to survive bad situations until help arrives. They have to be able to interrupt and understand conversations by just listening. Our dispatchers are often forgotten about and do not get the credit they deserve. They are essential to public safety and therefore deserve all the same benefits as everyone else in public safety.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
HB675 - VA School for the Deaf & the Blind, Board of Visitors of the; authority to establish campus police.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
HB806 - Nursing staff at state psychiatric hospitals; employee destinations, payment policies, etc.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
HB819 - Health insurance; coverage for contraceptive drugs and devices.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
Contraception is medical care. Drugs and devices used for contraception also treat a host of medical ailments, including incredibly painful conditions like endometriosis. Besides, contraception expands personal freedom and helps to reduce the abortion rate. Please vote YES on HB819 and expand access to no-copay contraception for all Virginians!
HB385: there’s an importance and safety to having two man crews.. safety for the company and the public.
HB1433 - Line of Duty Act; clarifies definition of eligible dependent.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
HB1438 - Juvenile detention specialists; enhanced retirement benefits.
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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant
My name is Eric W. Hockenberry, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 24 years at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center which is now the Loudoun County Youth Services Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Eric W. Hockenberry
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Deserie McBride and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for sixteen years at the following facilities: Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Deserie McBride
Whom It May Concern: My name is Kimberly Deneen Peebles and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 28 years at the following facilities: Westhaven Crisis Home, Centerville Group Home and Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kimberly D. Peebles
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Walter and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facilities: Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center & Chesterfield Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Walter Lee
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Walter and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facilities: Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center & Chesterfield Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Walter Lee
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Trey Williams and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facility: Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Facility. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Trey Williams
My name is Detric Branch and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 13 years at Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Detric Branch
To Whom It May Concern: My name James L. Revell and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for twenty-nine years at Chesapeake Juvenile Services Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, James L. Revell.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Marya Lee and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for twenty four years at the following facilities: Newport News Juvenile Detention Center, James River Juvenile Detention Center, Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Marya C. Lee
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jared Berthelsen and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for one year at Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jared Berthelsen
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [Michael SImmons] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [20] years at Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Michael Simmons
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Curtis Rowell and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 months at Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Curtis Rowell
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Christine Sullivan and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 2.5 years at Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Christine Sullivan
I support HB1438
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jeff Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for seventeen years at the following facility, Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jeff Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is LaToya Britt and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 26 years at the following facilities: Tidewater Juvenile Detention Center (Chesapeake Juvenile Services) and Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, LaToya Britt
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kathleen Talbert and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 10 years at the following facility James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kathleen Talbert
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Juanita E. Daughtrey and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 6 1/2 years at the following facilities: Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Juanita E. Daughtrey
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Marcel McCain and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 20 years at the following facilities: Culpeper and Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Marcel McCain
To Whom It May Concern: I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 18.75 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in this field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you. Respectfully, Ross Brown
To Whom It May Concern: I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for eighteen years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in this field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Respectfully, Monica DeGraphenried
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Teverly Tamara Wilkerson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for ten years at the following facilities: Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center, Oak Ridge Juvenile Correctional, Richmond City Juvenile Detention, and Chesterfield Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. I can speak from personal experience on being assaulted by a resident while working at Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Center. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Teverly Tamara Wilkerson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Donnell Void and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 10 years at the following facility: Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Donnell Void
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Maricia Newman, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 year at the Merrimac Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Maricia Newman
To Whom It May Concern: My name is MELISSA ANGLIN and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9 years at the following facilities: NORTHERN VIRGINIA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER & RAPPAHANNOCK JUVENILE CENTER. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, MELISSA ANGLIN
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Pauline Ashby, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 24 years at the following facilities: Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention in Alexander, and currently at Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Pauline Ashby.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Troy Brown and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 11 years at the following facilities: Sussex 1 state prison, Beaumont Juvenile correctional center , Bon Air juvenile correctional center and Chesterfield detention center if it’s just one replace “the following facilities” with Chesterfield detention center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Troy Brown
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Sheron Henderson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 24 years at the following facilities: Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center, Richmond Juvenile Detention center, James River Detention Center, Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Sheron Henderson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Landon D Jones JR and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 13 years at the following facilities: Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Landon D Jones Jr
o Whom It May Concern: My name is William Cassell and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 10 years at the following facilities: Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center . As well as in the adult correctional setting (DOC) prior to my current position. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, William Cassell
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Douglas Townsend and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 20 plus years at the following facilities: Nottoway DOC, Beaumont DJJ, Bon-Air DJJ, James River Detention Center . Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Douglas Townsend
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Corey J. Royal Sr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 21 years at the following facilities: Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Corey J. Royal Sr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Alvin C. Turner III and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for Thirteen years at the following facilities: Oak Ridge Juvenile Corrections, Beaumont Juvenile Corrections, Bon Air Juvenile Corrections and James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully Alvin C. Turner III
m It May Concern: My name is Gregory Aycock and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 26 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Gregory Aycock.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Heather Stotler and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Heather Stotler.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is David Ashby and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 year at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, David Ashby.
My name is Larry Watts Jr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 13 years at Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Larry Watts Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Felton L. Brown, Jr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 29 years at the following facilities: Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center, Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center and James River Detention Center currently. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Felton L. Brown, Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kenneth Gallop, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 30 years at the following facilities: Chesapeake Juvenile Services, formerly known as Tidewater Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kenneth Gallop
Delegate Wiley, As Chair of the Appalachian Juvenile Commission (AJC), I would like to extend the AJC’s full support for House Bill 1438, which may potentially extend enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. Our Commission is a political subdivision consisting of local government appointed representatives from each of the eleven localities we serve in Southwest Virginia; Lee, Scott, Wise, Russell, Buchanan, Dickenson, Tazewell, Washington, Smith, and the Cities of Norton and Bristol, VA. The AJC provides a continuum of dispositional options to our region, including secure detention at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center (HJDC). The AJC believes the passing of HB 1438 would be a tremendous benefit to our staff, who potentially put themselves in harm's way every day they enter the HJDC. Our staff provide supportive supervision in a secure custody setting to Virginia's most vulnerable youth, many of whom have significant behavioral and mental health challenges, along with aggressive and violent tendencies. Our counterparts working at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center located in Chesterfield, who do this same work with these same children, have been receiving enhanced retirement benefits for many years. The AJC believes that this benefit should be applied to our detention specialists as well. The HJDC is currently housing DJJ committed youth who would likely be detained at Bon Air JDC, if there were enough bedspace for a placement. As a JLARC report concluded, our staff have a moderate-high degree of encountering physical and psychological harm on the job. According to the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. In closing, our detention specialists make a significant positive impact on our vulnerable and at times dangerous youth. The AJC supports HB 1438, which could hopefully extend enhanced retirement benefits to detention specialists, thereby aiding in reducing recruitment and retainment challenges. The AJC supports our entire team who have chosen the potentially dangerous, yet rewarding career path of a detention specialist. Sincerely, James C. Lane, Chair Chief of Police, City of Norton, VA
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [Jonathan King-Waddell] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [1] years at the following facilities: [Shenandoah Valley Detention Center and Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, [Johnathan King-Waddell]
I approve of the bill of 1438.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Michelle Smith and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 28 years at the Loudoun County Juvenile Detention Center/ Youth Services Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Michelle Smith
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Robert A. Oakes, Jr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 11 years at the following facility. Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Robert A. Oakes, Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Douglas Forte' and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 20 years at the following facilities: James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crises and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Douglas Forte'
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jacob Irby and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the following facilities: [Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention, and Merrimac Juvenile Detention.] Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jacob Irby
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jermon Blount, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 27 years at the following facilities: Bon Air Juvenile Correction Center and James River Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jermon Blount I will try to find out when the Committee is taking up this bill, because we will want to have as many folks as we possibly can in attendance. If anyone has suggestions on how we can do more, please share!
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Patrick Wright and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 22 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Patrick Wright
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Matt Smith and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 19 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Matt Smith
To Whom It May Concern: My name is David Clendenin and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 19 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, David Clendenin
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Nathaniel Poe and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 6 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA, as well as at the Regional Jail in Abingdon, VA for several years. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Nathaniel Poe
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Peter T. Curney and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for six years at Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Peter Terry Curney
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Emily Blevins and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 year at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Emily Blevins
To Whom It May Concern: My name is John Scott and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 6 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, John Scott
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Elyus Wallace and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Elyus Wallace
Jacob Funkhouser To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jacob Funkhouser and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 7 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jacob Funkhouser
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Darin Bosley and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 23 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Darin M. Bosley
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Darin Bosley and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 23 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Darin M. Bosley
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ali Mclean Courtney and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 4 years at the following facilities: [DYRS in Washington DC also RJDC located in Stafford Virginia Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ali Mclean Courtney
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Daniel Phillips and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 13 years at the following facility: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Daniel Phillips
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Donnie Baskerville and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 27 years at the following facilities: Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center and James River Juvenile Detention Center]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Donnie M. Baskerville
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Michael Harrison and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [include total years] years at the following facilities: [include all Virginia facilities you’ve worked at—if it’s just one replace “the following facilities” with where you currently work]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully,Michael Harrison
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Keyarra Brown and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center “the following Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Keyarra Brown
30 years at the following facilities: Henrico County Jail and James River Juvenile. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Janet M. Waddey I will try to find out when the Committee is taking up this bill, because we will want to have as many folks as we possibly can in attendance. If anyone has suggestions on how we can do more, please share!
30 years at the following facilities: Henrico County Jail and James River Juvenile. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Janet M. Waddey I will try to find out when the Committee is taking up this bill, because we will want to have as many folks as we possibly can in attendance. If anyone has suggestions on how we can do more, please share!
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Courtney Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 12 years at the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Courtney Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Courtney Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 12 years at the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Courtney Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Alvaro Ordonez and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 2.7 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Alvaro Ordonez
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Sebastian Washington and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 2 months at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Sebastian Washington
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Michael Merchant and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 4 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Michael Merchant
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jeffery Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 10 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jeffery Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Benjamin M. Sharpe, Jr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at the following facility: Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Benjamin M. Sharpe, Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Judith Huntt and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 7 months at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Judith Huntt
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Trevor Dunbar and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Trevor Dunbar
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Quintin Carter and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 2 months at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Quintin Carter
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Stevie Owens, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facilities: Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Stevie Owens
To Whom It May Concern: My name is John Ambrose and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, John Ambrose
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Everett Foxx and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 6 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Everett Foxx
To Whom It May Concern: My name is William Battiste and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 16 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, William Battiste
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Takiyah Evans and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facility: Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Takiyah Evans
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Natalie Naughton and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9 years at the following facilities: Newport News Detention and Chesapeake Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Natalie Naughton
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jennifer Parker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for a year at Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jennifer J. Parker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is John Schweinfurth and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 months. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, John Daniel Schweinfurth II
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Melvin Shaw, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438, which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 29 years at the following facilities: Brunswick Correctional Center, St. Brides Correctional Center, Hanover Juvenile Correctional Center, James River Juvenile Correctional Center, Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home, Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.), and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits,” and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk of encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day, we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crises and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Melvin Shaw
MY name is Thaddius Williams and I ask of you to please support the HB1438, I've been working for NRJDC for 22 years and it could be stressful at times, I served in the United States Navy for (4) years. Thank you
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Keshia Cook and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 6 months at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Keshia Cook
To Whom It May Concern, My name is Doug Ernst and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I am a history teacher who has worked at Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center in Williamsburg, VA for the past three years. I was unaware that some people that work for the state were eligible for enhanced retirement benefits due to the hazardous and stressful work conditions that they endure and want to say that I am pleased to learn this and heavily support this idea. I want to share some of my personal experiences to illustrate the difficult conditions that these “staff” as they are called at Merrimac endure and provide on a daily basis. I apologize for some of the strong content that will follow but do not believe it does justice to highlight the conditions they work in to speak in generalities. Many workers in the state may experience conditions that are difficult to handle and are challenging to deal with from a psychological standpoint. Myself as a teacher can attest to that. Few, however, have to deal with intensely troubling psychological AND physical conditions every day the way these workers do. I have heard residents at our facility threaten staff on a regular basis. “When I get out of here I’m going to hunt you down and shoot you in the f***ing face!” “As soon as I’m free I’m going to find your wife and r*** the s*** out of her.” “I’m going to find where you live and kill your f***ing kids!” Imagine hearing these things and not bringing home with you the stress of the “what ifs” involved in these threats. Imagine how you might look over your shoulder when you get into your car, or watch your review mirror as you drive home, not just that day but every day after. Most seriously, I have seen and heard about these workers being physically assaulted by the youth they work with. Being punched in the head and face, having their hair pulled, having other youth offer to help them as they are being assaulted only to remind these helpful youth in the most stressful situation I can imagine that they need to move away for their own safety even though they could be helped immediately. I have seen injuries sustained in assaults on staff and restraints that have required surgery and hospital visits. Injuries that will last a lifetime. To the residents at our facility these workers act as teachers, parents, counselors, mentors, protectors, and so much more. They provide these services to the most at-risk youth in our state and do so without prejudice to all residents even after moments like I described above. They are unique in that respect to other professions that might be included in the group that receives enhanced retirement benefits in that they are asked to do a wider range of things while still facing the same mental and physical stress. In summary, if there are groups that have been judged worthy of enhanced retirement benefits based on the stresses of their job, to not include front line workers at juvenile detention facilities would be an injustice. These workers face the most challenging psychological and physical conditions imaginable and do so with a level of professionalism that is admirable and should be rewarded. Please imagine some of the situations described above as part of your daily experience and justify how they should not be included for enhanced benefits.
Please Support HB1438
Please Support HB1438
Please Support HB1438
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Trent McVey and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 10 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Trent McVey
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Mike Mumpower and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 6 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Mike Mumpower
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jimmy King and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 21 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jimmy King
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Nancy Dutton and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 11 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Nancy Dutton
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Brandon Barker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 14 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Brandon Barker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Allison Eads and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 3 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Allison Eads
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Josh Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 12 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Josh Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Toni Vance and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 17 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Toni Vance
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jeremy Hurley and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 28 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jeremy Hurley
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Chase Marshall Colyer and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 years and 1 week at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center and Piedmont Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Chase Marshall Colyer
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Patty Eads and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 2.5 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Patty Eads
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jay Boland and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 14 years at the following facilities: Culpeper Juvenile Correctional Center and Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jay Boland
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kobe Clisby and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 5 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kobe Clisby
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Trey Murray and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 22 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Trey Murray
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Lake Mullins and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 2.5 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Lake Mullins
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Rosie McCracken and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 6 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Rosie McCracken
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Faith Sullins and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 11 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Faith Sullins
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Hannah Caudell and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 2 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Hanna Caudell
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Noah Walker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 3 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Noah Walker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Rick Belcher and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 11 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Rick Belcher
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Dylan Sullins and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 10 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Dylan Sullins
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Harry Anderson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 1 year at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Harry Anderson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Billy Denton and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 2 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Billy Denton
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Adam Kennedy and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 15 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Adam Kennedy
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Neil Bramlette and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 20 years at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center in Bristol, VA. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff across the state have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes (just as they are here at the Highlands Juvenile Detention Center) instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Neil Bramlette
To Whom it may concern: I am commenting on Wiley's HB 1438. I have worked in the Juvenile Justice field for 32 years, all at the Crater Youth Care Commission. I write this message of support, not for myself, but for the hard working direct care staff (15 full time) that work for me. They work long hours with difficult children in a setting not many could tolerate. These children are not only difficult at times, they are dangerous all of the time. Half of our population today, are here murder charges. These children not only will be here a year, unless they turn 18, but more importantly, they feel overwhelmed and depressed when they begin to consider the consequences of their actions. We also have to deal with the drug crisis, with fentanyl being the latest. We have kids come in after being medically cleared, and are sick for days while they detoxing from these drugs. It is preposterous that DJJ officers, doing the same job as Juvenile Detention Center staff, have this benefit but our staff do not. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Sharla Armistead and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked with Juveniles involved in the Juvenile Justice System for over 27 years, I recently started working at Merrimac Detention Center. In just a short time, I have seen the amount of stress that the direct staff endure in this field, and I feel the staff should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of this career and the stress it entails. This is a very tough population and each and every day, the staff deal with safety issues, potential violent and aggressive behavior and are constantly dealing with mental health issues. The staff in the detention facilities come in every day with a duty of keeping these young boys and girls safe without being armed. Even though at times, their safety could be in jeopardy. Some of the job duties and responsibilities align with deputies who receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff and serve the same population. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth increasing the risk for injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists. The detention center is a 24/7 environment. I would appreciate your support for HB 1438. Respectfully, Sharla Armistead Last Name: Armstrong Locality: Hampton
I fully support this bill. Please see attached letter.
Please support HB1438
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Landria WIlson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 0 years and 7 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center and Piedmont Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Landria Wilson
Dear Delegate Cole: My name is William Tignor. I serve on the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Commission representing Stafford County. I am writing to encourage your support for Delegate Willey's legislation, HB 1438, which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. This would bring our employees in line with Juvenile Justice employees at the Bon Air Juvenile Correction Center as well as local jail employees. The employees of our local detention center have physically and psychologically demanding jobs in line with the aforementioned staff. A recent JLARC report supports this recommendation as the work of local detention centers has become increasingly challenging. Crisis and other volatile situations are the norm and are part of the daily work of our detention staff. I hope that we can count on you to support this important legislation. Sincerely, William C. Tignor 259 Brooke Road Falmouth, Virginia 22405
Dear Paul, (Milde) I serve on the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Commission representing Stafford. I am writing to encourage your support for Delegate Willey's legislation, HB 1438, which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. This would bring our employees in line with Juvenile Justice employees at the Bon Air Juvenile Correction Center as well as local jail employees. The employees of our local detention center have physically demanding jobs in line with the aforementioned staff. A recent JLARC report supports this recommendation as the work of local detention centers has become increasingly challenging. Crisis and other volatile situations are the norm and are part of the daily work of our detention staff. I hope we can count on you to support this important legislation. Many thanks, Bill Tignor 259 Brooke Road Falmouth, Virginia 22405
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jason Henry. I am the Deputy Superintendent of the Rappahannock Juvenile Center and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 12 years at the Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jason C. Henry
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Lance Holman and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 years and 6 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center and Piedmont Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Lance Holman
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ronald A Warden Jr. I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9 years at the following facility: Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ronald A Warden Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is C. David Kincaid. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 6 years at the following facility, Merrimac Detention Center. I retired from Williamsbrg PD, worked at Hampton Sheriff Office and Peninsula Community College PD . Employees in our field, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. I had the Hazardous Duty benefit due to working LEO and what I have observed while working at Merrimac is that the employees deserve the benefit due to our changing world in which juveniles are now committing serious crimes. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, C. David Kincaid
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kristy Walker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked at the Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center for over six years and the employees in this field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of their career and the stress it entails. The detention specialist’s job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that detention specialists work with juveniles instead of adults and are not armed. The sheriff’s deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. The detention specialists who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and this job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day detention specialists are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. Detention specialists routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put their health and safety at risk. This is a 24/7 work environment with staff regularly working evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kristy Walker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Randolph McDaniel and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 2 years and 2 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Randolph Victor Mcdaniel
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [Insert full name] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [include total years] years at the following facilities: [include all Virginia facilities you’ve worked at—if it’s just one replace “the following facilities” with where you currently work]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, [Insert your name]
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Damian Torres Garcia and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 years and 4 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Damian Torres Garcia
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Robert E. Clymer and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years and 8 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Robert E. Clymer
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kevin Delyon Jackson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 22 years at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kevin Delyon Jackson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Theresa Sylvester and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 21 years and 8 months at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Theresa Sylvester
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Robert Linwood Mason III and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 21 years at the following facilities: Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Culpeper, Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Robert Linwood Mason III
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [Benjamin Pope] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [10+ years] years at the following facilities: [Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Benjamin Pope Counselor 1 Gang Specialist Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center
Thank you so much, Delegate Wiley, for sponsoring this bill. On behalf of the Virginia Juvenile Detention Association, which represents the 24 local and regional detention centers throughout Virginia, we wholeheartedly support this legislation. Echoing all of the comments made by others, our staff put themselves in harm's way each and every day they work to provide supportive supervision in a secure custody setting to Virginia's most vulnerable youth, many of whom have significant behavioral and mental health challenges, aggression, and may be violent. Our counterparts working at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, who do this same work with these same children have been receiving this benefit for many years, so providing this benefit to our staff is only fair. As the JLARC report concluded, our staff have a moderate-high degree of encountering physical and psychological harm on the job. According to the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. As we are all experiencing, recruitment and retention, especially for some of the toughest jobs like these are challenging all across the Commonwealth. Please help us attract and keep staff who are capable and willing to do this difficult work by giving localities the option to provide this much-deserved benefit. Thank you!
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Solomon Haywood Jr., and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 25 total years at the following facilities: Barrett Juvenile Correctional Center and James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Solomon Haywood Jr. Detention Supervisor
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Rhonda M. Wright and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 24 years at the following facilities: 7 years at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center and 17 years at James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Rhonda M. Wright
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Solomon Haywood Jr., and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 25 total years at the following facilities: Barrett Juvenile Correctional Center and James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Solomon Haywood Jr. Detention Supervisor
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Joseph Mitchell and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9.5 years at James River Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Joseph Mitchell
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Shirley Renee Alexander and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 17 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Shirley Renee Alexander
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Derrick Brown and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 11 years at the following settings: Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center, City of Richmond Juvenile Detention Center and the Chesterfield County Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Derrick J. Brown
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jason Fauscett and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 14 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jason Fauscett
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Duane Thomas White Jr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 22 total years at the following facilities: Chesapeake Juvenile Services and Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center . Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Duane Thomas White Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jewel Henderson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 18 years at the following facilities: Coffewood Correctional Center and Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jewel Henderson
Dear Concerned Parties, I am Christine Daniels, a professional with 21 years of experience in the juvenile correctional setting at Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention in Charlottesville, Virginia. I am writing to express my strong support for Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438, which seeks to extend enhanced retirement benefits to juvenile detention specialists. The nature of our work is inherently stressful and hazardous, as illustrated by a recent incident involving my husband, who serves as the Chief of Security at the detention center. On my last birthday (November 15, 2023), both my husband and another Detention Specialist were sent to the emergency room after preparing a juvenile for transport to Bon Air. My husband endured multiple kicks to the head and ribs, while the other specialist suffered a bite and a significant welt on the head. Despite our commitment to ensuring the safety of the juveniles in our care, such incidents underscore the challenges we face daily. My husband, a Marine Corps Veteran with over 30 years of correctional experience, will turn 60 this year. Age inevitably becomes a factor in the physical demands of our work. Enhanced retirement benefits could have allowed him to retire at 55. Considering the physically and mentally taxing nature of our profession, it is crucial to acknowledge the toll it takes on individuals, regardless of their toughness. Additionally, the disparity in retirement benefits between Detention Specialists at different facilities raises concerns about fairness and equity. The recently published JLARC report, "Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits," underscores the demanding nature of our job, with local detention specialists scoring high on physical and psychological demands. The risk of workplace injuries is substantial, with a comparable claims rate to that of local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Despite the challenges, we take pride in our work to maintain community safety, provide rehabilitative services, and intervene in crisis situations. I implore your support for House Bill 1438, recognizing the invaluable contribution of juvenile detention specialists and the need for fair and enhanced retirement benefits. Our commitment to public safety should be met with equitable and supportive policies. Sincerely, Christine Daniels
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Suzannah Vaughn, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 22 years at the following facilities: Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Suzannah Vaughn
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kerline Antoine and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 17 years at Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kerline Antoine
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Audias Armstrong, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 14 years at the following facilities: Newport News Juvenile Detention, Chesapeake Juvenile Services and Merrimac Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Audias Armstrong
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Duane A. Welsh and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 26 years at the following facilities: Northwester Regional Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Duane A. Welsh
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ronald W. DeMet and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facility Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. I myself have had three workplace injuries, one which required surgery all due to our often-violent encounters with detained juveniles. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ronald W. DeMet
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Arthur Wayne Daniels and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [30 years at the following facilities: Hay Market Unit 26, Staunton CC, Coffeewood CC, Culpeper JCC and Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Arthur Daniels
Valors
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Terry Kenworthy, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for a year and a half at Chesapeake Juvenile Services. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Respectfully, Terry Kenworthy, LCSW, CSOTP
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Whitney Townsend and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 7 years at the following facilities: Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, Henrico Juvenile Detention Home, and Merrimac Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Whitney Townsend
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Alphadio Wann and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 18 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Alphadio Wann
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Justin Hendrickson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Justin Hendrickson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Vincent Burton and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 10 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Vincent Burton
Please review that attached letter in support of Wiley's House Bill 1438.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Stephen John Komlo and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Stephen J. Komlo
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Sharon McCall and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Sharon McCall
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [LaQuanda S. Shaw] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [7] years at the following facilities: [Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, [LaQuanda S. Shaw]
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ryan Hickman and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ryan Hickman
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Joan Gomes, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at the following facilities: Merrimac Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Joan Gomes
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Melisa Grice and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Melisa Grice
To Whom It May Concern: My name is JaKobii McNair and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for one year this year at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, JaKobii McNair
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Dr. Sara Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 19 years at Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Dr. Sara Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jahi Banks and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for four this year at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jahi Banks
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Nicholas Parker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 12 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Nicholas Parker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ian Rachal and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for sixteen years this year at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ian Rachal
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Pamela Kimmel, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 14 years at the following facilities: Merrimac Center. Employees in our field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and detention specialist positions were a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Pamela Kimmel
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Selita Taylor and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for sixteen years this year at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Selita Taylor
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jeffrey Patten and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for seven years this year at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jeffrey Patten
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Johnitha McNair and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for seven years at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Johnitha McNair
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Joan Gomes, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at the following facilities: Merrimac Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Joan Gomes
Please see the attached document.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Gina Mingee, Director of Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 18 years at the Center, and a large part of my job is to advocate for my staff. Employees in our field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults, and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you that the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and our staffs' jobs were a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. The staff routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put their health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Gina Mingee
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kyle Alberts and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for two years at the Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kyle Alberts
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Andrea Jackson-Alexander and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [10 months] at the following facilities: Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Andrea Jackson-Alexander
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jameka Jackson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 16 years at the following facilities: Prince William and Chesapeake Juvenile Detention Centers. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jameka P. Jackson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Christopher Haws, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 19 years at the following facilities: Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Chris Haws Christopher D. Haws LCSW, CSOTP, LMHP Superintendent Social Services | City of Virginia Beach Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center
My name is Andrea Jackson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 10 months at the following facilities: Chesterfield Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Andrea Jackson-Alexander
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Michael Johnson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 16 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Michael Johnson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Stephen Allen and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 19 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Stephen Allen
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Shawanna Rollins and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 23 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Shawanna Rollins
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Dellareese A. Morris and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 32 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Dellareese A. Morris
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Wayne Washington and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 13 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Wayne Washington
To whom it may concern, My name is Bud Graves and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 22+ years. I am currently the Assistant Superintendent at Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester, VA. Employees in our field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age.” The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crises and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Bud Graves
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Joseph Pierce and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 7 months at Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Joseph Pierce
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ion Brebenel, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 19 years at the following facilities: Department of Juvenile Justice, Culpeper, VA (1 year) and for 18 years at Rappahannock Juvenile Center in Stafford, Va. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk of encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crises and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ion Brebenel
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Erin Maloney and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 26 years at the Northwestern Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Winchester. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Erin K. Maloney
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [LaQuanda S. Shaw] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [7] years at the following facilities: [Norfolk Juvenile Detention Center]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, [LaQuanda S. Shaw]
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Sherry W. Brooks, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 33 years at the following facilities: Norfolk Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Sherry W. Brooks
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Benjamin Cordova and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 0.25 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Benjamin Cordova
To Whom It May Concern: My name is XZAVIER HICKS and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 0.75 years at the following facilities: RAPPAHANNOCK JUVENILE CENTER. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, XZAVIER HICKS
To Whom It May Concern: My name is NATASHA T. BROWN and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 0.25 years at the following facilities: RAPPAHANNOCK JUVENILE CENTER. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, NATASHA T. BROWN
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Robert Pressley jr and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for18 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock juvenile center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Robert Pressley jr
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Robert Hall and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 4 years at the following facilities: rappahannock juvenile center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Robert Hall
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jamal Jones and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 0.25 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jamal Jones
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Bryce Pickens and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 0.75 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Bryce Pickens
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Randy Wright and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 8 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Randy Wright
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Christian Burrell and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 year at the following facilities: Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center and Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Christian Burrell
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [Insert full name] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [include total years] years at the following facilities: [include all Virginia facilities you’ve worked at—if it’s just one replace “the following facilities” with where you currently work]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, [Insert your name]
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Kandace Smith and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Kandace Smith
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Margaret Trio and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the following facilities:Rappahanock Juvenile Center . Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Margaret Trio
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Ashley Hudson and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [include total years] years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Regional Jail and Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ashley Hudson
To Whom It May Concern: My name is [LYNN GREEN] and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for [23] years at the following facilities: [Rappahannock Detention Center and Prince William County Juvenile Detention Center]. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, [LYNN GREEN]
To Whom It May Concern: My name is LaShawn M. Kelly, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 25 1/2 years at the following facilities: Norfolk Juvenile Detention, Merrimac Juvenile Detention and Newport News Juvenile Detention. I have worked as a detention specialist I, II III and currently a supervisor. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, LaShawn M. Kelly
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Daniel A Lane and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facilities: Bon Air JCC and Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Daniel A Lane
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Christopher Kernisky and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 5 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Christopher Kernisky
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Justin T. Barnes and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Justin T. Barnes
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Howard Felton, Jr. and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 9 years at the following facility: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Howard Felton, Jr.
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Vance Pawielski jr and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for four years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center . Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Vance Pawielski Jr
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Brandon Deyo and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Brandon Deyo
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Brittany Walker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 4 years at the following facilities: [Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Brittany walker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Octavia Weiss and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 3 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center . Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Octavia Weiss
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jennifer Catalina Ortez and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 1 years at the following facility Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jennifer Catalina Ortez
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jared Olsen and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 16 years at Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. I have worked as a detention specialist and I’m currently an home incarceration officer. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jared Olsen
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Joseph Barton and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 24 years at the following facilities: Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention, Chesapeake Juvenile Services (TDH), Merrimac Juvenile Detention and Newport News Juvenile Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Joseph Barton
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Jonathan Kaufman and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 13 years at the following facilities: Rappanhannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Jonathan Kaufman
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Joseph Fraker and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 12 years at the Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Joseph Fraker
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Reginald Garnett and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 24 years at the following facilities: [Barrett Juvenile Correctional Center, Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center, Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Center and the Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Reginald Garnett
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Pamela Denise Jeffries and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 17 years at the following facilities: Lynchburg Regional Juvenile Detention Center and Rappahannock Juvenile Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Pamela D. Jeffries
o Whom It May Concern: My name is Ryan Matthew Buckley and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for twenty-two years at Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Ryan Buckley Senior Resident Supervisor Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center 275 Wyche Rd Stafford, Va 22555 540-658-1691
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Nancy McLaughlin, and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 17 years at the following facilities: Rappahannock Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Nancy McLaughlin
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Christopher Mallory and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 11 years at the following facilities: Beaumont Juvenile Correction Center and Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Center. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you! Respectfully, Christopher Mallory
To Whom It May Concern: My name is Tina Loving and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for 25 years at the following facilities: Hanover and Beaumont Juvenile Correctional Centers, Richmond Detention, and Chesterfield Detention. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438.
My name is Tiffany West and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 18 years at Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home as a detention specialist. Employees in our field, like me, should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Our job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and my job was a part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day we are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. We routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. We work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate your support for House Bill 1438. Thank you!
My name is Justin Crostic and I am writing in support of Delegate Wiley’s House Bill 1438 which extends enhanced retirement benefits for juvenile detention specialists. I have worked in a juvenile correctional setting for almost 15 years at Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home. I have worked as a detention specialist, training coordinator, outreach supervisor, and I am currently an administrator who oversees our treatment and alternative programs. Employees in our field should be entitled to these enhanced benefits due to the nature of our career and the stress it entails. Their job is comparable to that of Sheriff Deputies who work in local jails with the exception that we work with juveniles instead of adults and we are not armed. Those deputies receive the enhanced retirement benefits we are seeking. Our counterparts who work for the Department of Juvenile Justice at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center also receive these enhanced benefits. Many of our detention home staff have experience working at Bon Air or previous juvenile correctional centers (Hanover, Beaumont, etc.) and they can tell you the job is the same as for detention home staff. With many committed juveniles being placed at Community Placement Programs housed in local detention homes instead of serving time at Bon Air, I assure you we are serving the exact same population. I have firsthand experience with this as I oversee Chesterfield's Community Placement Program. JLARC recently published a report entitled, “Eligibility of Public Safety Occupations for Enhanced Retirement Benefits”, and our staff were part of that study. According to the report, “Guideline 2 for enhanced benefits: Public safety employees should have physically and psychologically demanding jobs that are more difficult to perform as they age. The job of local detention specialist received three out of four, indicating a high level of physical and psychological demand. Citing the report, “The risk for workplace injuries is high, with approximately 13 percent of local detention specialists filing at least one paid workers’ compensation claim each year. This rate is comparable to the claims rate for local police officers and deputy sheriffs. Local detention specialists are at high risk for encountering violent or threatening youth detained at a facility. Detention specialists interviewed by JLARC staff recounted injuries sustained during assaults, and paid workers’ compensation claims filed by detention specialists commonly involve altercations with residents”. Every day our staff are charged with maintaining the safety and security of our community while also providing rehabilitative services to hopefully deter juveniles from entering the adult system. They routinely intervene in crisis and volatile situations that put our health and safety at risk. Our staff work in a 24/7 environment and regularly work evenings, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather. I would greatly appreciate support for House Bill 1438.
HB38 - Virginia Retirement System; enhanced retirement benefits for 911 dispatchers.
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The men and women of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police support the passing of this legislation. The Commonwealth of Virginia needs to recognize the hard work and training this profession requires, as well as the toll it takes on the emergency telecommunicators. Emergency Telecommunicators are subjected to repeated psychological trauma as the JLARC report cites, I encourage everyone to support this bill and pass it unanimously.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, My name is Danny Clary and I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.
We serve our community on a 24/7 basis and work hard and hear horrible things. to say that we are administration is not correct we are public safety , we ensure scene saftey ,obtain pertinent information , give life saving instructions ,and hear potentially traumatic things everyday! Please consider this bill ! When your spouse , children and family call 911 we will be there to answer and ensure that resources are sent ! We ask you consider all we sacrifice for citizens and give us your support! Thank you
Mr. Chairperson, I ask that you please support this bill. Dispatchers are essential personnel to public safety and our communities. They are the first line in supporting our citizens and getting them the care and support they need. Without them, we would not have a functional public safety system for our field providers or citizens. They are expected to be at their console answering the radio regardless of what may be happening, such as a winter storm, disaster, pandemic, major incidents, major storms, and under many other circumstances. They answer calls and walk citizens through life saving measures until help arrives. They talk victims through how to survive bad situations until help arrives. They have to be able to interrupt and understand conversations by just listening. Our dispatchers are often forgotten about and do not get the credit they deserve. They are essential to public safety and therefore deserve all the same benefits as everyone else in public safety.
Good Morning Mr. Chairman and Committee Members, I am writing to ask you to please support this bill. 911 dispatchers are a critical part of the public safety infrastructure. This bill would be a tremendous advancement in the field. These individuals are faced with the same traumatic calls as field responders and are the first line of defense for anyone in need. They provide lifesaving instructions before the arrival of field units and require multiple training hours and certifications to hold their position. Their dedication to the community is unwavering. Your consideration and support towards this bill would be greatly appreciated.