DCYF Appoints New Assistant Secretary of Juvenile Rehabilitation
Olympia – With more than 20 years of experience implementing trauma-informed care, Felice Upton has been appointed as Assistant Secretary of Juvenile Rehabilitation at the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). She will assume the role on July 1, 2021.
For the last year, Upton has served as the Superintendent of DCYF's Echo Glen Children's Center. Before that, she was with the Washington State Department of Corrections, where she served in various roles over 15 years, from community corrections officer to associate superintendent of programs for the Washington Corrections Center for Women.
"My stated mission in this position is to implement trauma-informed care with trauma stewardship at the forefront of that initiative," said Upton. "I want to see young people leave our care being healthier in mind, body, and spirit, having received a good education and with strong plans for their future."
Upton currently serves as the vice-chair on the University of Washington School of Social Work and Criminal Justice Board and the Seattle University Criminal Justice Advisory Board. She is also an alum of JustLead Washington, an organization focused on building a network of community leaders who can effectively and collaboratively work toward equity and justice throughout Washington State.
"Felice is firmly committed to disrupting pathways to juvenile and adult incarceration," said DCYF Deputy Secretary Jody Becker. "She believes in service-oriented leadership and fostering a positive and supportive work environment."
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