History
Bay Area Youth Services was organized and chartered as a Florida Not-For-Profit Corporation on April 19, 1982. The agency was founded with the objective of improving the quality of life and increasing the potential of Florida’s youth. Since that time, BAYS has provided quality and professional youth and family services throughout West Central Florida. BAYS has grown into a multi-faceted organization with eight office locations and over 65 employees.
Over the years, BAYS has provided a variety of delinquency prevention, diversion, and intervention services. BAYS was the original Hillsborough and Manatee County Juvenile Alternative Services Program (JASP) Provider from 1982 to 2000, the Polk, Hardee and Highlands County JASP Provider from 1986 to 2000 and the Level Two and Aftercare/Conditional Release Provider from 1994 until 2007. BAYS has also been an integral part of Florida’s IDDS Program since the year 2000. Former BAYS Executive Director William Bowman was part of DJJ’s original planning and implementation team when the Department transitioned their diversion efforts from the old JASP Program to the new IDDS concept. Since the inception of the Prodigy Program in 2000, BAYS has also been an important part of this innovative research-based program which has expanded throughout the State of Florida and attained high regard in the area of prevention and diversion. In 2007, BAYS was also selected to take part in Florida’s first pilot project of the evidenced-based Parenting with Love and Limits Program.
BAYS has extensive experience as a contract Service Provider serving such organizations as the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Labor, Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, Selby Foundation, Suncoast Workforce Board, Evidence Based Associates, University Area Community Development Center (UACDC) and the University of South Florida.
Our agency is extremely proud of the work that has been accomplished. Since its inception, BAYS has provided services to more than 65,000 program children and their families. These services include providing over 40,000 hours of counseling, 55,000 hours of youth and parenting seminars, monitoring 1.5 million hours of community service work, and collecting in excess of $2.5 million in victim restitution. We feel that we have made a significant positive impact on the lives of the people we’ve served, and trust that in some small way have helped to improve our community.
The staff and management of BAYS look back over the past years with a proud sense of accomplishment, and many fond memories. We also look forward to the future, and all the challenges that lay ahead. With a lot of hard work, a great staff, the assistance of our juvenile justice partners, a little luck, and the grace of God, we’ll successfully continue our mission for many years to come.
Leadership
BAYS was founded by William F. Bowman who held the title of Executive Director and President until his retirement in December 2009. Under his direction, BAYS became and remains one of Florida’s largest Department of Juvenile Justice non-residential providers. BAYS is governed by a diverse Board of Directors and has a leadership team with more than 80 years of juvenile and criminal justice experience. The BAYS Leadership Team consists of Executive Director/President Dr. Pam Alvarez, Deputy Director David A. Caldas, Clincal Director Esther Chao McKee, Unit Supervisor Lindford Hayes, and Manager of Support Services Debra T. Braman.
Dr. Pam Alvarez joined BAYS as the Executive Director/President in June 2010. Dr. Alvarez earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work, as well as a doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership. Much of her clinical work has focused on working with adolescents and families. For the last 20 years Pam has worked on the administrative and planning side of social service systems in program development, grant writing, evaluation, and consultation. As a social service provider and consultant, she has held various contracts with the State of Florida (DJJ, DCF, DOH, etc.), various community organizations, and regional collaboratives. Dr. Alvarez serves as adjunct faculty at the University of South Florida and the University of Phoenix. Her research areas of interest include gender specific services and leadership. Originally from Wisconsin, Pam has lived in Tampa for 15 years and is married to a Tampa native. She enjoys going to the beach, kayaking, and supporting the Tampa Bay Rays!
David Caldas holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Criminology, both from the University of South Florida. He has been a Tampa resident since 1996. Mr. Caldas previously led the BAYS Circuit 13 IDDS Program as Unit Supervisor, and through excellence in leadership was promoted to BAYS Deputy Director in 2009.
Esther Chao McKee is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an approved supervisor for state licensure. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science from Oklahoma State University. Ms. Chao McKee is currently earning her doctorate degree in Social Work at the University of South Florida where she is also an adjunct faculty member. She gained her clinical experience from working with families in both juvenile justice systems and hospitals for the past decade.
Lindford Hayes holds a bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications Management from DeVry University with understudies in Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland. Mr. Hayes has worked with Bay Area Youth Services, Inc. for more than seven years as the Circuit 5 IDDS Supervisor and serves additionally as the Subject Area Specialist Coordinator. Prior to employment with BAYS Inc., Mr. Hayes served 20 years in United States Army as a senior leader performing duties such as First Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Paratrooper, French Commando, and an academic mentor in the disciplines of military science.
Debra Braman holds a master’s degree in Counselor Education and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, both from the University of South Florida. Ms. Braman has worked with Bay Area Youth Services, Inc. for more than twenty-five years, in both direct care and management positions.
