Latawun Bess - Director

Latawun Bess serves as Director for the Miami-Dade County Juvenile Services Department (JSD). Ms. Bess has dedicated her career to advocating for the needs of at-risk and arrested youth. Ms. Bess’ experience as a public administrator includes social services, management, strategic planning, and implementation. Ms. Bess has been instrumental in various projects that take a no wrong door approach to holistically serving young people and their families. She has implemented and managed JSD’s components of Mayor Cava’s Peace and Prosperity Plan, alternatives to arrest, and case management systems.

Ms. Bess takes pride in collaborating with community stakeholders to enhance JSD’s service delivery and reduce barriers for young people and their families. Ms. Bess has been instrumental in establishing the JSD Training Center of Excellence to provide technical assistance and capacity building for law enforcement and County departments interacting with youth and families. As a subject matter expert, Ms. Bess provides training in the Southern region of Florida on a Florida Statute driven risk assessment instrument. Ms. Bess presents the JSD Model to local and national juvenile justice stakeholders and is a member of the National Assessment Center Association. Ms. Bess helped lead the department to certify its assessment process through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), International.

Ms. Bess holds a master’s degree in public administration from Florida International University.