Teen Court Staff
(from left to right)
Heather Todd, Client Coordinator/Case Manager
Katie Self, Executive Director
Ann L. Jackson, Paralegal
Nancy Chavers Hogue, Administrative Assistant/Case Manager
Katie Self, Executive Director
Katie was hired by the Junior League of Sarasota, Inc. in 1989 as the sole employee of the newly formed non-profit agency. With limited resources she, with a dedicated Board of Directors, took on the daunting task of developing relationships with DJJ, state attorney and public defender offices, legal community, the community at large and creating sustaining funding sources. Her major accomplishments include: 1994-1996- Katie spearheaded legislation adopted that year by the Florida Legislature that funds Florida’s Teen Courts and spearheaded development of the Florida Association of Teen Courts, Inc., elected its’ first President; 2005-asked by OJJDP to serve on a national task force to develop the National Assoc. of Youth Courts; 2007-elected first NAYC President; 1998-2010-presented workshops at the Nat’l. Assoc. of School Resource Officers; Nat’l. Crime Prevention Council; Nat’l. Youth Court Conferences; Florida DJJ “Best Practices”; Open World Leadership Program-Russian Delegation; Nat’l. Training Institute-Teaching Youth About the Law; ABA Youth Court Guidebook Advisory Commission; Nat’l. Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges; South Carolina Bar Assoc.; Florida Circuit Court Judges Conference. Among her awards and honors are: 2005-Designated an Honorary Sarasota County Sheriff, selected by Girls’ Inc. as their “She Knows Where She’s Going Award” recipient, honored by the County & City Commission who named Nov. 14, 2005 “Katie Self Day”; 2009- Florida Assoc. of Teen Courts created a Distinguished Service Award in her name, “The Selfie”; 2011- The Florida Bar Foundation honored her in June, 2011 with their prestigious Non-Lawyer Medal of Honor Award.
A Message From Katie: “Agreeing to take accept the job of Executive Director of Teen Court in 1989, when there were no resources and a great deal of skepticism at every turn, I planned on a short term commitment. Instead that opportunity quickly turned into a passion. It was immediately evident that the young people who stood to benefit, both student volunteers and at-risk youth, wanted to change their lives for the better by participating with the program. Their enthusiasm, coupled with that of Judge Logan, Deputy Court Administrator Fay Rice, Debbie Dye, and the entire legal community, inspired me to “stay with it” through very challenging times. While the decision to operate as a non-profit brings continual challenges the ability for our program to meet the needs of the families we serve makes it worthwhile. The second layer of rewards for me has been helping 51 other counties replicate the services started in Sarasota County. The honor of being part of the Teen Court family, now spread far and wide, continues to inspire me just as it did in the very beginning.
Heather Todd, Client Coordinator/Case Manager
Heather, a native of Sarasota, graduated from Riverview High School in 1994. Heather became a staff member just as she was completing her undergraduate degree from the University of South Florida in 1999. In 2002 she earned her Masters in Social Work from USF. Her primary roles are case management of half of the at-risk clients, coordinating the educational classes for Camp X-RAYD, CO-OP and Peer Circle, coordinating and conducting in-service trainings and law related education presentations at local high schools.
A Message From Heather: “I love that the young people we work with learn new life skills that help them overcome obstacles and challenges they face. After leaving Teen Court they are able, due to the dismissal of the charge when they complete their sanctions, to still achieve their dreams and goals.”
Ann L. Jackson, Paralegal
Ann, a Certified Legal Assistant/Paralegal in Sarasota since 1991 , became a regular volunteer with Teen Court through her membership with the Florida Legal Assistants/Sarasota-Manatee Chapter. Ann’s volunteer contributions were recognized in 2001 by the Sarasota County Bar Assoc. who selected her to receive their Distinguished Service Award by a Layperson . In 2006, Ann became a full time staff member in the Teen Court assuming responsibility for entering and maintaining all client data, scheduling appointments with the families, and preparation of client status reports with all related agencies.
A Message From Ann: “What I like most about working with Teen Court is that we actually see the progressive change that comes about during the young person’s time with the program. Whether it is a student volunteer or a defendant, these young people are changed forever because of our services. It is very rewarding to be a part of the progress they make.”
