Dane R. Bolin: Committed to Reform and Innovation
Dec 6, 2011
Passionate, committed, humble, progressive, visionary: That’s how his colleagues describe Dane Bolin.
Dane R. Bolin,
Louisiana Champion for Change
Director, Calcasieu Parish Office of Juvenile Justice Services
Dane Bolin’s passion for juvenile justice reform in his home state of Louisiana is too strong to be contained by state lines. His training skills are in great demand up and down the gulf coast. Ironically, it is his zeal for providing services to adolescents in their own home community that has won him notice far outside his own home of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana.
Bolin, who started his juvenile justice career eighteen years ago as a home detention officer has risen through the ranks to become Director of the Office of Juvenile Justice Services in Calcasieu Parish, a post he has held since 2007. His entire career has been marked by his deep commitment to fairness for all at-risk adolescents, a trait critical to his role as project director of the Models for Change initiative in Calcasieu Parish.
“Dane Bolin is a local leader who has gained prominence in Louisiana and nation-wide,” said Debra K. DePrato, MD, Project Director, Louisiana Models for Change. “Dane has a vision and the ability to carry it out to make the lives of children better in his parish. He coordinates with area leaders to ensure a true partnership of agencies and people. Dane believes in accountability, and sees himself as the one who is most accountable.”
Under his leadership, Calcasieu Parish has received support from Models for Change Louisiana. Grant funds were used to strengthen Calcasieu Parish’s Children and Youth Planning Board (CYPB) and encourage the use of evidence-based practices. Bolin uses his role as Chairman of the CYPB to educate community stakeholders and child serving agencies throughout Calcasieu Parish on the importance of using evidence-based practices, reducing racial disparity, and community engagement. Bolin does more than talk, he works tirelessly to put his vision into practice.
Bolin’s “dream” had been to establish a Community Assessment and Resource Center for youth and their families. His dream has now been realized. Calcasieu Parish has now opened a center for at-risk youth and families in Calcasieu Parish. The Center links youth and families with appropriate and meaningful services that will lead to better outcomes. It provides a “diversionary” option for law enforcement to use instead of placing youth under arrest.
Bolin has also focused his leadership on the development of detention standards for the entire state of LA. He was a key player in the passing of House Bill 1477 that outlines the development of “best practice standards” for juvenile detention facilities and licensing. He has worked with members of the Louisiana Juvenile Detention Association (LJDA) to understand their concerns and gain their support. The standards have been submitted to the Louisiana Department of Children and Families and are awaiting approval.
Bolin represents a new wave of juvenile justice leaders who have emerged from and begun shaping system reform efforts. According to Anthony W. Celestine, President of the LJDA and a colleague of Bolin, “Dane is a true leader, who leads by example. I have watched him put in countless hours at work to develop new reforms for the agency, as well as act as a consultant with other jurisdictions, both within our state and nationally. He is always striving to be better, to be an actual Champion of Change."
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Louisiana