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Tulsa County juvenile detention director cites staffing shortages, partnerships and facility fixes
Summary
Parker, director of the Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Home, told commissioners staffing remains a persistent challenge; he outlined partnerships with Family & Children Services, pending fencing bids to address trash and homelessness near the facility, and a nationwide data-gathering effort on federal law impacts.
Parker, director of the Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Home, gave the board an update on operations and staffing and thanked commissioners for oversight since the county assumed responsibility on July 19, 2024. He said recruitment and retention remain difficult and that leadership is pursuing workforce development and training to improve staff retention.
"Till the day we all die, we'll continue to work on our staffing," Parker said, describing the work as demanding and not a role everyone chooses. He told the board the department is expanding its leadership development program, adding mental-health supports through a partnership with Family and Children Services and instituting wraparound services to connect young residents with family meetings and follow-up care.
Parker said the facility has received two fencing bids and is awaiting a third; the board will be shown the bids when the third arrives so commissioners can consider securing the site amid nearby trash and homelessness. He also said the department is collecting information from jurisdictions nationwide, with help from Dave Tackett, to assess how recent federal law changes have affected juvenile detention operations.
Commissioners moved to accept and file the update. The board took no separate funding action during the update; Parker asked the board to remain engaged as staff pursue remedies and contracts tied to staffing and facility improvements.
