Item Description:
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Commendation of Catherine Johnson, Director of the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation - offered by Commissioner Lunde
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WHEREAS, Catherine "CJ" Johnson came to Hennepin County in 2017, after a long and decorated career in law enforcement to her new role as the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCCR) Director. CJ brought knowledge of our community and issues facing public safety agencies; and
WHEREAS, CJ built on DOCCR's rich history of diversity and inclusion, implementing programming and hiring decisions reflecting a strong commitment to representation and disparity reduction principles; and
WHEREAS, CJ holds herself and staff to high ethical standards and genuinely cares about employees and staff morale. During her tenure, CJ worked to reduce caseloads and create opportunities for others in DOCCR to have a voice in shaping the department, resulting in spaces like the Equity Strategy Team and Policy Team; and
WHEREAS, CJ demonstrated her commitment to public engagement by creating the Community Corrections Coalition - a group of community members who meet regularly to provide input and direction on DOCCR's policies and procedures; and
WHEREAS, CJ is a forward-thinking leader, balancing disparity reduction, system improvements, client outcomes and community needs. She thoughtfully questions current processes to ensure they contribute to organizational progress; and
WHEREAS, CJ effectively guided the department through the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting staff, clients and facility residents under their care; and
WHEREAS, under CJ's direction, the department implemented several programs, including: continued investment in community-based services and treatment options for young people, expanded employment and education pathways for clients, deployment of staff body cameras at the Adult Corrections Facility and Juvenile Detention Center, a grant-funded family visitation project at the Adult...
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