Social Services
 

Ralph Davis, Social Services Supervisor - Ralph Davis graduated from Star Spencer High School.  He was a member of the four-time state high school championship team.  His senior year his team was voted “Best High School Team in the History of Oklahoma High School Basketball”.  Ralph graduated from Northwestern State University with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Science and Sociology.  Ralph went on to be the men’s basketball coach for five years at Northwestern University.  During his five-year term the University led the region in graduation rates.  His team also ranked nationally three out of the five years.  Ralph went on to be the men’s basketball coach at Seminole State College for three years.  During his three-year term at Seminole his team had the highest graduation rates in the region for three years.  His team was nationally ranked two out of the three years.  Ralph was named the “Recruiter of the Year” while at Seminole.  While at COJC Ralph has been a Youth Guidance Specialist, Juvenile Justice Specialist, and he is now the Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor.  During his time at COJC he has been voted “Employee of the Month” three times.  Ralph, his wife, and son attend Israel Chapel Baptist Church.

Psychology

Dr. Sally Davis, Psychological Clinician Supervisor – Prior to joining COJC, Dr. Davis spent four years as Dean of Students in a community college setting.  Dr. Davis has 27 years of experience as a counselor and supervisor in a variety of settings including child welfare, adult corrections, juvenile group homes, the Federal government and the private sector.  Dr. Davis holds a Doctorate in Christian Counseling from Evangel Christian University in Monroe, Louisiana.  She has a masters degree in Counseling Psychology and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah.  She also holds minors in Social Work and Special Education.

Psychological Clinicians and a contract psychologist provide the following services and duties; individual and family therapy, resident treatment consultation, assessment of assault and suicidal risks, assessment for intake, crisis intervention, screening recommendations for medications, special assessments for certification studies, and mental health evaluations.  The Psychology Department directs the sex offender treatment program and develops focal treatment groups as needed to meet the needs of the residents.   

Security

Stephen Grayson, Chief of Security – Mr. Grayson was born and raised in Bartlesville and graduated from Bartlesville High. He attended Central State University.  He worked at Phillips Research and Development Center for four years and then enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.  After serving his term in the military, he started working at Bent County Correctional Facility for adult males, in Las Animas, Colorado.   After approximately nine years he promoted to Lieutenant. Mr. Grayson then transferred back to Oklahoma to work as a Captain at the Davis Correctional Facility in Holdenville.  He spent two years at the facility in Holdenville before he came to work at COJC.  He has been at COJC since 2009.

The Security Department is comprised of Juvenile Security Officers (JSO) whose primary objective is to ensure the safety and security of residents and staff at the facility.  JSOs regularly complete safety and security checks including inside the living units, around the grounds, and the facility’s perimeter.  These staff are also responsible for transporting residents outside of the facility for court and other appointments. They respond to all crisis incidents and regularly assist Youth Guidance Specialists in the de-escalation of disturbances.  They also investigate incidents and assist in resident crisis counseling.  

Youth Guidance

Brenda Boren, Institutional Program Coordinator -   Ms. Boren was born in Lafayette, Louisiana and grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma.  She graduated from Duncan Christian School in 1987.  She moved to North Dakota in 1988 and attended college at Minot State University.  During her time in North Dakota, she worked for Enable, Inc. located in Bismarck as a residential group home manager for individuals with developmental disabilities.  She also worked for The Minot Vocational Adjustment Worskshop.  In July 2002, Ms. Boren moved back to Oklahoma and began working for COJC as a Youth Guidance Specialist.   In 2011, Ms. Boren graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. Throughout the past 10 years, Ms. Boren has served COJC in the capacity of both a YGS and JSO staff.  

Youth Guidance Specialists (YGS) are responsible for the care and safety of the resident population. They are the first and most constant role models for the residents. While projecting a positive example, they encourage the youth to engage in the treatment programs. The YGS staff are responsible for documenting the progress of the residents during each eight-hour shift. They keep a visual and documented count of each resident with a fifteen to thirty minute frequency. They maintain a log of all incidents and complete reports. Driven by safety and security, they perform routine and non-routine inspections of assigned living areas and items within the living units.  YGS staff care for the daily needs of the residents and direct the movement of the residents between various activities.

Nursing

Cynthia Chancellor, Nursing Manager - Cynthia is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.  She has been continuously employed as a registered nurse for more than 20 years starting her nursing career at Presbyterian Hospital in the Oncology unit.  She previously worked at COJC and served 7 years as the Clinic Manager and Charge Nurse.  She left COJC and began working in Home Health and Hospice for Unity Hospital in Shawnee.  She relocated to St. Frances Hospital Home Health in Tulsa to accept a position as a case manager, then to a Quality Analyst position. In 1999 she was hired by the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma to manage the Contract Health Department.  In 2001, she completed training and became certified as a case manager (CCM) through the Commission for Case Management Certification (CMCC), maintaining that certification through 2011.
In 2004 Cynthia accepted a staff nursing position at COJC, developing a case management program and securing relationships with Soonercare providers in all areas of medical specialties.  She initiated a Women’s Health Program in conjunction with the Pottawatomie County Health Department and recruited and developed an onsite dental program to provide for the needs of the residents.
In January of 2011, Cynthia accepted the position of Nursing Manager of the medical department at COJC.  

The medical department is dedicated to providing quality medical care to the residents at COJC.  The staff provide a variety of health services needs.  A medical doctor and dentist provide routine services for residents.  The department works with other medical professionals when specialty services are needed.  Ongoing education courses are provided to the nursing staff and facility-wide to keep up with the ever-changing medical and psychiatric needs of the resident population. 

Recreation

The Recreation Department is committed to promoting social interaction between the residents at COJC to improve quality of life and to provide opportunities to learn new skills.  The staff offer opportunities for the residents to learn appropriate leisure time activities and self-expression and to enhance their self-image and self-esteem.
The goals of the department are to assist the residents in reducing their anxiety and stress, promote community re-integration, decrease social isolation and improve their overall fitness level.  

Volunteer Services

Tom Porter, Volunteer Coordinator - Tom joined COJC to build and manage the volunteer programs and community partnerships.  Tom brings over fifteen years of experience in volunteer engagement and juvenile justice. Before OJA, Tom served as Volunteer Manager for Habitat for Humanity International’s response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita where he led a team that coordinated volunteer response to fourteen affiliates across four Gulf Coast States which led to the completion of a thousand homes for families affected by one of the most catastrophic natural disasters.  Today he enjoys spending time with his family.  He is an avid reader and enjoys photography.  He studied Journalism/Public Relations at University of Central Oklahoma.

Volunteer Services is the liaison between COJC and community members that willingly offer their talents and abilities to enhance the services and meet the needs of residents at COJC.  

Building and Grounds Maintenance

John Leone, Construction Maintenance Administrator – Mr. Leone graduated from Shawnee High School.  He then went on to graduate from St. Gregory’s Jr. College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration.   He attended the University of Oklahoma where he majored in Special Education.  He completed a one-year internship with Teacher Corp Special Education at Jackson Jr. High School in Oklahoma City.  John has held several positions while at COJC including Youth Guidance Specialist, Maintenance Technician, Fire and Safety Officer and the Construction/Maintenance Administrator.  He is also a licensed Asbestos Inspector/Management Planner and a certified ACA/DHA Trainer.

The Building and Grounds Maintenance Department works tirelessly to maintain and update the various buildings at the facility, many of which were built in the 1920s.  This includes electrical, plumbing, construction and housekeeping.  The department has staff available 24 hours a day to address maintenance needs of the facility.  In addition to the buildings, the department provides ongoing upkeep for approximately 30 acres.  

Human Resources

Teresa Wolfe, HR Management Supervisor – Teresa has been employed with COJC since 1999 as the Human Resources Supervisor. She is a Certified Personnel Professional and the local Grievance Manager. Teresa oversees the Human Resources Department at the facility, which averages 170 employees. Some of her direct responsibilities include Recruitment, FMLA, FLSA, Performance Evaluations and Workers Compensation.
She is most motivated by the employees who dedicate their lives to helping the residents at the facility. She will tell you that it is one of the hardest careers, but it can be one of the most rewarding. Teresa has lived in the Shawnee area for over 25 years. She has three boys and five grandchildren. She enjoys OU football, Thunder basketball, any baseball game and spending time with her family. 

The Human Resources Department works to identify and retain the best employees for COJC.  Should you be interested in any information regarding employment opportunities at the facility, please call her at 405-598-4190 or email at teresa.wolfe@oja.ok.gov

Charlene Hughes, Administrative Programs Officer - Mrs. Charlene Hughes has served as Administrative Programs Officer for the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center since August of 2010 and is responsible for directing implementation of approved policies and procedures to ensure successful accomplishment of the basic goals and mission of the Agency. She led the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center through a successful American Correctional Association audit in September 2011.  Mrs. Hughes first interest in working with youth began with her position as a weekend parent at a privately operated juvenile home in Georgia.  Mrs. Hughes worked in the legal profession as an assistant for criminal defense attorneys whose work included juvenile cases.
Outside of professional interests, she loves to travel, cook, sail, work in her gardens and enjoy life with her husband Jim, their family including 4 children, 16 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren.  

The department maintains all records for current and past residents of the facility.  In addition the department is responsible for ensuring the review and implementation of the facility’s procedures.  The department also manages the coordination of the facilities compliance with accreditation standards.    

Business Office

Mark Woolpert, Business Manager – Mark has been the COJC Business Manager since 2011.       He has a Bachelor Degree in Liberal Arts Administrative Leadership from the University of Oklahoma.  He has been in the state’s service since December 2005.  Mark has been a blessed husband for thirty-one years and is the father of eleven wonderful children.  In 2007 he was the recipient of the DHS Adoption Advocate of the Year and has been an Adopt US Kids Media Spokesperson since 2008.

The Business Office manages the facility’s accounting and procurement processes and oversees food services, supply and the canteen.

Training

Dennis Dukes, Training Specialist – Dennis has served COJC as a Training Specialist II since 2003.  He began his tenure at COJC in 2000 as a Youth Guidance Specialist II and later advanced to a level III supervisor. Prior to his service with OJA, he worked as a shift manager for the Sac & Fox Juvenile Detention Center.
He retired from the fire service as Assistant Chief and Director of Emergency Management after 28 years of service in Prague and Chandler.  While in that capacity, he became certified as an instructor in areas of hazardous communications, preventing transmission of communicable diseases, emergency response to terrorism, First Aid/CPR, emergency medical services, and critical incident stress management. He has also served as an Intermediate Paramedic in various departments for 32 years.
He resides in Prague and has two daughters and two granddaughters.

The Training Department’s responsibilities include coordinating orientation/pre-service training for new staff and continuing education and staff development for all employees.  The department includes curriculum development and ensures staff compliance with standards from all accrediting agencies.