Macomb County Appoints First Female Director of the Juvenile Justice Center

The first female director of the Macomb County Juvenile Justice Center was introduced Monday by county officials.

"She is going to be one of those people who will carry over the understanding of how to deal with kids and how to get them to be better, productive members of society and do it through the staff that is working here," said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel.

She was one 139 applicants, from as far away as Texas, for the position. She will start Aug. 5, and work with current director Chuck Seidelman who will stay on through the month to assist with the transition.

"Chuck has done a great job of getting this facility to be recognized as one that really does care about the kids that come here," said Hackel, who credited the work of director and staff to get programs and support for individuals at the center. 

Westphal will oversee the facility which can house up to 140 individuals remanded to custody through the family court, and provides services including behavior management programs, detention and other services. 

She comes to Macomb County with experience working as the Juvenile Care Center director for Midland County, and most recently, labor relations specialist for MSEA, AFSCME Local 5. Westphal holds a Master of Arts in organizational leadership and administration from Saginaw Valley State University, Masters of Arts in school psychology from Central Michigan University and a Bachelors of Arts from Central Michigan University.

"It feels like coming home to me," Westphal said of her return to the juvenile justice system. "I love the kids and the families."