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Tony Gobar Outstanding National Juvenile Justice Specialist Award: 2011: Joseph B. Vignati (Atlanta, GA)
CJJ’s 2011 Tony Gobar Outstanding Juvenile Justice Specialist Award was presented to Joseph B. “Joe” Vignati of Georgia, in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C., on May 22, 2011.
In the past ten years as Georgia’s Juvenile Justice Specialist, Mr. Vignati has clearly demonstrated his passion and dedication to bettering the juvenile justice system, serving as a resource to juvenile court judges throughout his state, providing technical assistance to the field, advocating for detention alternatives, and educating colleagues and the judiciary on the core protections of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). He also serves as a leader and a voice for juvenile justice specialists across the nation, serving as their elected CJJ National Juvenile Justice Specialist.
Mr. Vignati joined the Georgia Children and Youth Coordinating Council in 2000 and has since then served as the state’s Juvenile Justice Specialist. In 2008, he was named Director of Justice Programs for the newly created Georgia Governor’s Office for Children and Families. In 2009, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued an official commendation recognizing Mr. Vignati’s ongoing contributions to the children of Georgia. Overall, Mr. Vignati has been intimately involved in all aspects of Georgia’s juvenile justice system for the past 24 years, tirelessly serving at-risk youth in a wide variety of roles, both in his career with state government and as a volunteer in community settings. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Augusta College in Augusta, GA, and graduated summa cum laude in 1992 with a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.
Joe Vignati, recipient of CJJ's 2011 Tony Gobar Outstanding Juvenile Justice Specialist Award (on right) with Andrew Peterman, recipient of CJJ's 2011 National Spirit of Youth Award. Photo by Idit Knaan.
See all winners of Tony Gobar Outstanding National Juvenile Justice Specialist Award.
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