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James is the founder and lead consultant of JCZ Consults. James spent twenty years working in the non-profit and government sectors, most recently as the Deputy Commissioner for the Onondaga County Department of Children and Family Services, specifically focused on Child Welfare Services. As Deputy Commissioner, the County focused heavily on decreasing the use of congregate care and increasing the use of kinship care, becoming a leader in the state.  James previously served as the Director of Juvenile Justice for Onondaga County in Central New York for 8 years and led a reform initiative that saw a reduction in detention and out of home placement by almost 50% while increasing local investment in services and alternatives that reduced recidivism and youth re-entry into the system.  James has also worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse in both Syracuse, NY and in Washington DC and worked in Congress for the Ways and Means Committee.  

 

James graduated from Washington College with a degree in Political Science and  

is a member of the Annie E. Casey Applied Leadership Network, he has completed certificates in Data Sharing and Multi-System Integration from Georgetown University Public Policy Institute and is trained in Results Based Accountability, Results Based Leadership, and Results Based Facilitation. James is involved in many local committees and sits on several boards that focus on supporting children and families in the community.