The following Departmental values should serve as guidelines when dealing with youth, their parents, volunteers, members of the public, and coworkers.

INTEGRITY

• Being honest in our contacts with others
• Doing the “right thing”
• Following the law
• Following through on commitments

RESPECT

• Leading by example
• Taking personal responsibility for our actions
• Treating others as we would like to be treated

EMPATHY

• Being a good listener
• Seeking to understand
• Being open-minded
• Being non-judgmental
• Being supportive of the staff and the community

PROFESSIONALISM

• Inspiring confidence
• Being competent in daily tasks
• Seeking personal development and growth
• Continuing improvement and measuring progress
• Welcoming positive and negative feedback
• Remaining objective in all encounters

HUMILITY

• Respecting and acknowledging limitations
• Using authority responsibly
• Avoiding arrogance
• Being willing to learn

DIVERSITY

• Appreciating and valuing the differences within the organization and community

• Encouraging a variety of opinions, and providing a safe environment for them to be heard
• Practicing tolerance

1. Role and Expectations
   1. Juvenile Hall staff is expected to recognize, embrace and carry out their role as a counselor reflecting the Department’s values.
   2. Juvenile Hall staff is expected to understand that the use of counseling and de-escalation techniques is a term of their employment. 
   3. Youth in custody shall be treated with respect and dignity, and never with contempt and/or antagonism regardless of their negative behavior or actions.
   4. Staff shall always keep in mind that our objective is to approach chaotic and crisis situations in a manner that will bring calm, order, and safe resolution, and never in a way that incites or inflames existing tension.
   5. Staff shall never treat youth in custody in such a way that would be unacceptable to established Department policy, statutory law and professional standards.