FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 25, 2018) — Kelly Hibbits, the superintendent of London Group Home and one of the agency’s finest leaders, has been appointed as the new East Region Division director of program operations, Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Carey Cockerell announced Thursday.
Hibbitts began his career with the Department of Juvenile Justice in 1999 as a social service clinician at the Cadet Leadership and Education Program. Throughout his 19-year career, Hibbitts has served the agency in a number of capacities including counselor, trainer, juvenile detention alternative initiative coordinator and superintendent of four residential facilities to date. Hibbitts helps train the agency’s social service workers by providing group counseling certification in partnership with Western Kentucky University each year.
“We are pleased to have Mr. Hibbitts operating in the role of division director. He has over 15 years of experience in the field of juvenile justice,” Commissioner Carey Cockerell said. “We look forward to Kelly using his vast knowledge of treatment interventions to produce better outcomes for youth in DJJ care. Kelly’s varied experiences will help the agency navigate change as we work to create a better juvenile justice system in the Commonwealth.”
Hibbitts received his master’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Cincinnati and is currently working toward his doctorate in educational leadership at the University of the Cumberlands. Hibbitts’ varied experience and education, coupled with the great working relationships he has developed over the years, will serve as an asset to the agency.
Former East Region Division Director of Program Operations Kris Mann was appointed the deputy commissioner of program operations for the Department of Juvenile Justice in April.
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