Venisha White Buchanon, a native of Florida, holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and is the Statewide Administrative Director for Twin Oaks Forensic Outpatient Services.
TOFOS operates under the corporate structure of Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc. This program is the sole contractor for the Florida Department of Children & Families, Juvenile Incompetent to Proceed program which provides Community/Outpatient Competency Restoration Training Services to 220 clients daily throughout the state of Florida and the Florida Keys.
Venisha is credited with her involvement in the development and implementation of the state’s initial Juvenile Incompetent to Proceed program in 1996. She has continued to work in this specified field for the past 23 years. After working as case manager and client placement coordinator, she became the statewide director in 2001 for the contracted Juvenile Incompetent to Proceed Community/Outpatient Services program.
Venisha was hired by Twin Oaks Juvenile Development, Inc. in January 2003, after the agency was awarded the Juvenile Incompetent to Proceed contract for community/outpatient services. She is also certified as an expert witness throughout all 20 circuits in the field of juvenile forensic in the state of Florida. She has been called to render an opinion in matters before the juvenile court, with cause to the determination of juvenile competence.
Venisha continues to expand her knowledge and education in this field of forensic studies by participating in and conducting various state trainings on the topic of juvenile incompetency. She has facilitated and hosted meetings and work groups around the country with officials who were seeking to implement new programs for juvenile incompetent in their states.
Venisha has served as presenter nationally before the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services, Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, and the MacArthur Research Network, and she serves a member of the National Board of Juvenile Competency Services Administrators.
Venisha completed post graduate studies and an internship in applied therapy modules and modalities as outline through Florida’s Sexual Offender/Predator Treatment Programming. She also completed the state training requirements in 1997 to serve as a certified behavioral analyst.
Venisha serves her community as a member of various educational, civil, service and social organizations. She is a devoted member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., where she has served as the president of the Gainesville Alumnae Chapter since 2017.
Some of her other civic, community, and social involvement includes: Gainesville High School, School Advisory Council (community member), 2009-present; Community Vacation Bible School Group Ministry Co-Coordinator, 2004-12; Gainesville Striders Track Club, assistant director and lead parent, 2009-12.
Mostly importantly, Venisha and her husband are the proud parents of two amazing adult sons and one beautiful young daughter.