The Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families announced Renee Ciconte, Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services director, has received the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators’ 2026 Outstanding Leadership Award.

Recognizing extraordinary leadership to CJJA and the juvenile justice field along with a commitment to improving the lives of youth, the award was presented to Ciconte Aug. 1, during the CJJA Summer Juvenile Justice Leadership Forum in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Her nomination was supported by state leaders across Delaware, including Gov. Matt Meyer, Family Court Chief Judge Michael K. Newell and Christian Kervick, executive director of the Delaware Criminal Justice Council. Ciconte is also highly regarded by her colleagues for her leadership and commitment to the youth and staff she serves.

“For more than 20 years, Renee has been a vital part of reshaping Delaware’s juvenile justice system,” said DSCYF Secretary Steven Yeatman. “She continues to focus on best practices, improving outcomes for youth and influencing the next generation of leaders in both our facility and community-based services. Quite simply, our system and the youth we serve are better off because of Renee.”

Ciconte began her career as a juvenile probation officer, where her work with high-risk youth and in Delaware’s detention facilities led to her involvement in juvenile detention reform and the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. Over the past two decades, Delaware’s juvenile incarceration rate has fallen to less than half of what it was 20 years ago.

Since becoming YRS director in 2021, Ciconte has continued to focus on rehabilitation and improving outcomes for youth. Under her leadership, YRS uses performance-based standards data to help guide decisions, and improve conditions and programming for youth. These efforts have helped expand access to education, sports, music and skills certifications.

Ferris School has also received two national Barbara Allen-Hagen Awards for its work to improve outcomes for youth.

“Renee cares deeply about the young people we serve and the staff who work with them every day,” said DSCYF Deputy Secretary Alison McGonigal. “She has made a difference throughout her career, and we are incredibly proud to see her recognized by her peers for that work.”

YRS has also expanded support to help youth successfully return to their communities. Youth are connected with reentry specialists on their first day in a facility, and these specialists continue to work with them upon release. Other initiatives include labor union partnerships that provide skills training and pathways to union membership, as well as opportunities to pursue higher education.

Ciconte and her team have also helped implement Delaware’s Juvenile Civil Citation Program, which gives eligible youth an alternative to arrest while still holding them accountable for their actions. Youth who participate are more than 50% less likely to have future system involvement compared with youth who are arrested and prosecuted for eligible offenses.