Circuit 13 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board Meeting - February 20, 2026

The Circuit 13 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board (CAB) met on February 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Tampa, Florida. The meeting included roll call, adoption of the agenda, approval of minutes, member updates, subcommittee reports, new business, and a presentation. Key topics included juvenile justice data trends, student enrollment rates, the creation of an Innovation Zone subcommittee, and a presentation on recovery high schools.

Consent Calendar

• The agenda was adopted unanimously.
• The minutes from the previous meeting were approved as presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

• Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) Updates:
  • Probation: 1,196 youth open to Circuit 13 DJJ probation, including 479 on diversion, 330 on intake status, 191 on probation/conditional release, and 21 on supervised release. Internal training and policy implementation are ongoing.
  • Detention: The secure detention census was 50 youth as of the meeting date.
  • Prevention: Activities include All Pro Dad chapters, Facts Your Future assemblies, and preparation for the One Mentor One Child Summit (May 13-14) and Florida Fathers and Faith Symposium (June 2-3).
  • Delinquency Citation (presented by Rob Parkinson): November 38 referrals, December 50, January 44; current active 37. Law enforcement referrals were 44. Battery (17) and domestic violence battery (12) were the most common offenses. Gender split: 19 females, 25 males. Age 16 was most frequent. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) increased civil citation referrals to over 80% (83-84%), avoiding state reporting requirements. The State Attorney's Office reported sending 7 missed cases back to diversion.
• Data-Driven Decision Making Subcommittee Report:
  • The subcommittee met February 4, 2026. Issues with juvenile assessment center (JAC) security transitions and data transfers have been resolved. A draft standard operating procedure (SOP) for civil citation referrals, based on Pinellas County's model, is being developed. The subcommittee reviewed gender differences in juvenile justice data: 74.6% of intakes were boys, 25.4% girls (830 girls in 2024-2025, down from 983). No significant increase in sex-related charges for girls was found.
• Student Achievement Subcommittee Report:
  • Enrollment rates for youth on supervision: September 2023 (80%), September 2024 (82%), September 2025 (95%). The 1% unknown is attributed to rapid placement changes. The subcommittee will next focus on attendance and educational outcomes. Chair Chrissy Dorian will step down; Rob Parkinson offered to chair the subcommittee during the transition.
• Innovation Zone Subcommittee:
  • Conchita Canty Jones presented on the Innovation Zone statute (98.668), which allows experimental pilot projects. A subcommittee was created with Canty Jones as chair. Volunteers included Markesh Thomas, Quinn Rainbow, Major Roberts, and others. Potential focus areas include workforce development, homelessness among DJJ youth, and domestic violence. The subcommittee will meet quarterly.
• Presentation by Florida Recovery Schools of Tampa Bay:
  • Tina Miller, founder and executive director, presented on three recovery high schools in Tampa Bay. Key statistics: 34 student overdoses and 54 suicide attempts survived before attending; zero overdoses or suicides since attending (average 139 days). 30 graduates, 84% attendance, 90% recovery rate, 3.4 GPA, 97% avoided juvenile justice system. The school is free and accepts Step Up for Students scholarships. A community event will be held March 7, 2026, at NOVA Southeastern University in Clearwater.

Key Outcomes

• The board approved the creation of the Innovation Zone subcommittee and nominated Conchita Canty Jones as chair.
• The student achievement subcommittee will transition leadership, with Rob Parkinson serving as interim chair.
• The next full CAB meeting is scheduled for Friday, May 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM at 601 East Kennedy Boulevard, 26th Floor, Tampa, FL.