Rodgers Appointed to Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group

Department of Juvenile Justice Deputy Commissioner Rusty Rodgers has been appointed to the Department’s State Advisory Group, which works to ensure that juvenile justice practices abide by state law. Rodgers, a Wheeler County native, has been working for the Department of Juvenile Justice for several years, as he shared that his interest in the career sparked during college. “I was fortunate to complete in an internship with the Department of Juvenile Justice my last semester of college. After graduating from Georgia Southern University in 1998, I was hired by the Department of Juvenile Justice as a juvenile probation officer. My entire career with the Department has been serving in several capacities,” he explained.

Since joining the Department as a juvenile probation officer, Rodgers has grown in rank, as he has also served as a juvenile program manager, regional administrator, and assistant deputy commissioner. Recently, he was promoted to continued from page

deputy commissioner of the Division of Community Services in March 2023. As deputy commissioner, Rodgers oversees the daily management of 77 offices and more than 10,000 youth under community supervision through the justice system. He also oversees the Office of Residential and Community-Based Services, the Office of Reentry Services, and the Interstate Compact Office.

As a member of the State Advisory Group, Rodgers will review the government aspect of juvenile justice. “Our mission with the State Advisory Group is to review juvenile justice policy, advise, and advocate on juvenile justice issues, and strive to keep Georgia in compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act,” he shared.

Rodgers added, “I am honored to serve in this capacity and I look forward to continuing the good work of the State Advisory Group.”

Governor Brian Kemp swore Rodgers into the position on January 30, and Rodgers is now working with the group to review the policies.