OFFICE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NAMES NEW FAMILY OMBUDSMAN

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Office of Youth Development (OYD) recently named veteran educator Kim B. Mims to the position of Family Ombudsman.

As Family Ombudsman, Ms. Mims will report directly to agency head Deputy Secretary Simon G. Gonsoulin, and serve as the direct link between OYD and the youth and families served by the agency. She will review concerns, mediate to build consensus and recommend remedies. The Ombudsman forges relationships with parents and community organizations to increase family involvement in treatment and care of youth involved with the juvenile justice system.

OYD serves approximately 4,800 youth through community-based programs, probation and parole programs and in three secure care (intensive residential) facilities, including Bridge City Center for Youth near New Orleans, Jetson Center for Youth near Baton Rouge and Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe.

“Ms. Mims brings a wealth of experience in working with children and parents to the vital position of Family Ombudsman,” Gonsoulin said. “Parents and family members can become overwhelmed by the complexity of the juvenile justice system, and they need to know that someone is there to help them navigate the system and advocate for them and their children. The Family Ombudsman facilitates communication between families and the agency and assures parents that someone is listening to their concerns.”

Ms. Mims is currently undergoing three weeks of intensive training in LA MOD, the program developed for use in the state’s secure care facilities. LA MOD focuses on a therapeutic, child-centered environment rather than a traditional, adult correctional/custodial model.


“Ms. Mims will be able to hit the ground running,” said Gonsoulin. “Her own expertise combined with LA MOD training will provide her with the resources to handle any concerns that arise as she works with our youth and their families.”

Ms. Mims has 20 years experience as an educator with the East Baton Rouge School System. She spent her entire career at LaSalle Elementary School, where she served as a classroom teacher, literacy and instructional support teacher and dean of students. For the past five years, she was LaSalle’s principal. The Baton Rouge native holds a Bachelor’s degree in marketing and business, Master of Education, Education Specialist and plus-30 in education, all from Southern University.

“I believe that the family structure is an important component in building youths to become healthy and productive citizens,” Ms. Mims said. “As Family Ombudsman, I am committed and motivated to assist in building strong family ties, advocating mutual respect and encouraging and supporting productive family participation in rehabilitation for youth placed in the care of the Louisiana juvenile justice system. My love for children, experience and passion for helping and working with at-risk youth, will serve as valuable assets in strengthening and building strong family foundations.”
Louisiana’s juvenile justice system continues to undergo reforms begun several years ago and solidified when the legislature enacted the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in 2003. Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco made system reform a top priority, separating Youth Services from the adult system early in her administration. The change emphasizes a system of juvenile justice centered on treatment and rehabilitation of youth, rather than a traditional correctional model. The 2005 OYD Strategic Plan that drives the reform effort calls for establishment of the Family Ombudsman position to encourage communication between staff and families.
While most state juvenile justice systems do not have an Ombudsman, Louisiana has been cited for progressive thinking in establishing the position.
OYD’s first Family Ombudsman, former educator Prince Gray, Jr., recently moved to another position within the agency. Mr. Gray returned to the field of education, now serving as principal of Riverside Alternative High School at Bridge City Center for Youth.