probation.lacounty.gov A Fond Farewell L.A. County Probation Deputy Director Dave Mitchell formally retired from County service on March 29. Perhaps his greatest legacy will be the vital role he played in developing and establishing the critically acclaimed “L.A. Model,” an award-winning juvenile rehabilitative program that focuses on therapeutic treatment for probation youth. The L.A. Model was inaugurated at Campus Kilpatrick when the facility reopened in 2017. Mitchell began his career in 1985 as a Detention Services Officer at Central Juvenile Hall and went on to serve in a wide variety of roles within the Department. Various positions afforded him the first-hand experience and intricate knowledge of Probation’s juvenile services operations. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors publicly honored his career and service with Third District County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl intro- ducing Mitchell as an inspired staffer and an advocate for probation youth throughout the County and the State of California. “For three decades, Dave Mitchell not only helped kindle and fuel that light in every child, he understood that the entire probation system has to exist in order to help young people see the light and the possibilities within them- selves,” Kuehl expressed. “Campus Kilpatrick and the L.A. Model could not have come into being without him.” “Dave is, and always has been, a very passionate, loving, caring person who is really deeply engaged in wanting our kids to do better, and our staff to do better,” said Chief Deputy for Juvenile Services Sheila Mitchell. “He is my brother in spirit and soul, and it’s a happy moment for the County that we got to be blessed with your leadership for 34 years.” Dave Mitchell expressed his appreciation for everyone who had a hand in his career and explained how meaningful his public service had been to him. “It’s an honor and a privilege to stand before you,” said Mitchell. “I want to thank Chief Terri McDonald, Chief Sheila Mitchell and Chief Reaver Bingham who made me part of their leadership team and for their work in moving this organization forward in a way that we haven’t done in many years… I really like the direction and vision our Department is going. Finally, I thank the staff, managers, probation officers and community partners who worked with me for the last 34 years and made this an incredible journey of public servitude and working with kids. They gave me an incredible amount of satisfaction in what I did.” “For three decades, Dave Mitchell not only helped kindle and fuel that light in every child, he understood that the entire probation system has to exist in order to help young people see the light and the possibilities within themselves.” – Sheila Kuehl Third District County Supervisor ADMINISTRATION, PEOPLE, PLACES, ACCOLADES The Probation Department 16