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| J.
Otis Davis, Court Administrator |
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J. Otis Davis draws on his extensive education and professional
experience for his position as Court Administrator for the 36th
District Court. In 1967, Davis graduated from Western Michigan
University with a bachelor's degree in social science. He was
awarded a master's degree in social work administration, with
honors, from Michigan State University in 1974.
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Prior to his current career as Court Administrator, Davis served as
Director of the Michigan Juvenile Justice System. From 1987
to 1997, his numerous responsibilities included management of
the operations of all state-run programs for delinquent youth
committed to the Michigan Family Independence Agency. Such programs
consisted of public training schools, regional detention facilities,
halfway houses, day treatment, central intake units, training
division, regional detention support services, and central office
administration, among others. As Director he also oversaw an
office that employed over one thousand state employees ranging
from clerical workers, security officers, and direct care staff,
as well as those holding management positions. Davis managed
a state-approved annual budget of $100 million and supervised
six major division heads, each with regional and statewide responsibilities
for helping to run this large, complex organization.
Before serving as Director of the state juvenile justice system, Davis worked from 1984-87 in the State Court
Administrative Office of the Michigan Supreme Court. In his
capacity as Lead Court Analyst, Davis dealt with local courts
on administrative matters and state Court Rules issued by the
Supreme Court regarding probate and juvenile court operations.
From 1981-84, as Director of the Foster Care Review Program,
he developed all policies, procedures, and budgets for this
program. Prior to this position, from 1976-81, Davis served
as Program Specialist in the Delinquency case Management Services
division of the Office of Children and Youth Services, operated
by the Michigan Department of Social Services. Davis worked
as Program Specialist in two other areas as well. As part of
the Decentralization Project in 1976, he administered two state
youth service bureaus, in addition to two intake and two attention
centers in Wayne County. During the two previous years Davis
worked for the Adult Protective Services division of the DSS.
While helping to develop a legal base for the protection of
Michigan Adults, he established program goals, objectives, and
policies for various county staff.
Before becoming a DSS Program Specialist, Davis was Summer Youth Employment Coordinator for the Lansing
School District in 1973-74. From 1971-72 he worked for the Ingham
County Probate Court in Lansing; as Senior Casework Supervisor,
he oversaw two court program coordinators and six probation
officers of delinquent youth. Working in another capacity for
the Ingham County Probate Court, Davis held the title of Juvenile
Caseworker from 1968-71. His responsibilities included case
management for juvenile court wards and collaborating on social
studies and investigate reports. In 1966-68, in his first employment
with the Michigan DSS, Davis worked as Boys' Supervisor in a
residential care facility. Davis' other professional experiences
include serving from 1976-79 as part-time faculty for both Lansing
Community College and the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan
State University. |
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