MJJA Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award
MJJA established this award to recognize individuals who share a rare commitment and dedication to Missouri's juvenile justice system, and who embrace the philosophy upon which MJJA was based: to promote and develop a quality juvenile justice service delivery system for youth of the state of Missouri.
MJJA invites nominations for and selects recipients in recognition of their outstanding contribution to juvenile justice and a shared commitment to excellence in juvenile justice epitomized by the Honorable Andrew Jackson Higgins. Members of the selection Committee are representatives from the following: MJJA Board, Missouri Supreme Court, Missouri Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, Children's Division, Division of Youth Services, Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, Office of State Courts Administrator, The Children’s Trust Fund, and Missouri juvenile and family courts.

2008 Recipient of the Award:
Raymond Grush, the 2008 Recipient of the MJJA Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award.

Andrew Jackson Higgins presenting Raymond Grush the 2008 Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award.

The award was presented at the MJJA Fall 2008 Educational Conference on Thursday, October 23, 2008. For more detail, click here.

2003 Recipient of the Award:
Susan E. Block, the 2003 Recipient of the MJJA Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award.

From left: The Honorable Andrew Jackson Higgins; The Honorable Susan Block - Award Recipient, Julie Cole Agee-MJJA Executive Director, Kim Moeckel-MJJA Board Vice President.

This Award was presented at MJJA's Fall 2003 Educational Conference on Thursday, October 30, 2003. For more detail, please click here.

2001 Recipient of the Award:
Mark Steward, the 2001 Recipient of the MJJA Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award

From left: The Honorable Andrew Jackson Higgins; Mark Steward; David Cook, MJJA President (2000-2004)

Mark Steward, Director of the Missouri Division of Youth Services, received MJJA's Andrew Jackson Higgins Excellence in Juvenile Justice Award at the Award Dinner Banquet of MJJA’s Fall 2001 Educational Conference. For more details, please click here.

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MJJA Excellence in Juvenile Court Program Award
MJJA invites, and selects juvenile/family court recipients reflecting provision of outstanding juvenile court programming. Members of the selection committee are representatives from the following: Office of State Courts Administrator, Division of Youth Services, Children's Division, Department of Mental Health, The Children's Trust Fund, MJJA Board, and Missouri Juvenile & Family Courts.

2008 Recipient of the Award:
The 31st Judicial Circuit "Road To Reunification" Program
The “Road to Reunification” is a court ordered educational program intended to provide parents with a comprehensive understanding of the court process, roles and responsibilities, treatment plans, and visitation with their children.

2005 Recipient of the Award:
The 16th Circuit "Sentenced to the Arts" Project

From left: MJJA Board President-Kim Moeckel, Theresa Byrd, Glenda Bainbridge, Deana Bellamaganya, and Jeff Eisenbeis

For more details, please click here.

2003 Recipient of the Award:
The 21st Circuit Family Group Conferencing Program
An innovative alternative dispute resolution technique, this program recognized that family and community play an important role in making and carrying out decisions in cases of child protection. For more details, please click here.

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WEST PLAINS DAILY QUILL RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARD FROM MISSOURI JUVENILE JUSTICE ASSOCIATION (2003)

From Left: Frank Martin-Editor of the West Plains Daily Quill, David Cook - MJJA Board President (2000 - 2004)

In 2003, while much of the juvenile justice and child welfare system was under scrutiny, being discussed and re-designed, Frank Martin, Editor of the West Plains Daily Quill, did something unusual and commendable: He began publishing a series on Missouri’s juvenile justice and child welfare system – following a child and family as a "sample" case through the system highlighting the FACTS and protocol of what actually occurs in Missouri’s juvenile justice/child welfare system. For more details, please click here.