OFC Juvenile Justice Oversight Director

The purpose of this contract is to secure the services of a Juvenile Justice Oversight Director to provide independent monitoring, data analysis, and reporting on Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) facilities and services. The objective is to improve systemic outcomes, safety, and service access for youth in the care and custody of DYRS.  

Scope of Work & Duties

The Contractor shall independently perform the following duties under the direct supervision of the OFC Ombudsperson, and responsibility to the D.C. Council:

Facility Monitoring & Site Visits

Conduct regular, unannounced, and announced onsite visits to YSC, NBYDC, and other local and out-of-area facilities as necessary to ensure youth are housed in constructive environments contributing to their rehabilitation.
Evaluate physical facility conditions and document data trends affecting resident youth.
Evaluate facility operations against established juvenile justice program best practices.
Complaint Investigation

Receive, log, and investigate complaints on an as-needed basis regarding facility conditions and service delivery.
Investigate allegations of policy and legal violations affecting youth safety or resource access.
Identify themes and underlying systemic reforms necessary to address issue areas found across investigations.
Systemic Reviews & Advocacy

Track and monitor DYRS's adherence to requirements of the ROAD Act (Recidivism Reduction, Oversight, and Accountability for DYRS Act of 2024), enacted in February 2025.
Track DYRS's progress in achieving Jerry M Work Plan Goals, including critical Work Plan indicators not achieved prior to the Superior Court's termination of the Jerry M lawsuit.
Investigate and report on broader, systemic issues identified during routine monitoring, including timely needs assessments and service planning; consult with relevant District agencies and departments to assess structural modifications or service delivery improvements.
Track, monitor, and verify all corrective actions implemented by DYRS to ensure compliance.
Deliverables & Reporting Schedule

The Contractor must submit all formal work products to the OFC Ombudsperson for initial review and approval. All formal work products should consider legal requirements, best juvenile-justice practices, and other criteria to objectively and accurately review and assess DYRS's policies, procedures, programs, and practices. These should aim to identify any systemic problems, the reasons for the systemic problems, and, if possible, suggest possible solutions to those problems. 
Quarterly Performance Reports: Submitted every three months, detailing:
Total number of facility site visits completed during the quarter. 
Volume, nature, and source of complaints received.
Status and descriptions of ongoing investigations or addressed issues.
Summary of interagency communications.
Corrective Recommendation Documents: created on an as-needed basis to summarize outcomes and outline required DYRS improvement measures, shared with Council quarterly.
Public Web Postings: Format and finalize approved reports for timely publication on the OFC website.
Review and Sign-Off Protocol

OFC Approval: Contractor submits draft reports to the OFC Ombudsperson for initial approval.
DYRS Review Period: Approved drafts are provided to DYRS, giving them the right to review and submit comments prior to submission to the D.C. Council.
Council Presentation: The final report, including or addressing DYRS feedback, is formally presented to the D.C. Council.
Contract Administration & Supervision

Administrative Authority: this contract is fully administered by the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children (OFC).
Supervision: the Contractor reports directly to and operates under the supervision of the OFC Ombudsperson.
 Bachelor's or graduate/higher-level degree with major study in juvenile justice, social work, or a related field appropriate to the position; experience may include criminal justice, case management, or facilities management.