SANDPOINT - The Idaho Juvenile Justice Association has awarded Bonner County Justice Services Director Debbie Stallcup with the John Shuler Award.

The statewide award honors individuals who directly impact youth and are viewed by others as demonstrating excellence in serving kids and their families.

"I just think that she is a great example of somebody who has dedicated their life to kids," said Liz Vogel, a colleague at Bonner County Justice Services who nominated Stallcup for the award.

It's the second year in a row a Bonner County official has earned the Shuler accolade. Arlis Harvey, the director of the Youth Accountability Board, won the award in 2007. Harvey also nominated Stallcup.

"She has chosen to live her life with empathy and compassion for all," Harvey wrote in her nomination letter to the Idaho Juvenile Justice Association.

Stallcup was hired by the county as its chief probation officer in 1991, a time when the department only handled youthful offenders. The department has since expanded to include adult misdemeanor probation and juvenile detention.

As director of justice services, Stallcup oversees 26 employees and Buddy, the department's office dog.

Colleagues kid that listing Stallcup's committee appointments and assignments is difficult due to her trouble with saying "no" when it comes to helping kids and families in Bonner County and Idaho. She's served on the Governor's Children at Risk Task Force since 1996 and was elected the Idaho Association of Counties Juvenile Justice Administrators' first female president in 2006.

Co-workers describe the Colfax, Wash., native and Eastern Washington University graduate as a tenacious champion for choosing to do what's right instead of what's convenient.

"She won't give up until she knows the person that's being served is being served the way they should," said Ron Stultz, the county's probation manager. "If it's in the best interest of the kid, she's going to fight for it."

Stultz said in his nomination that Stallcup is unafraid of taking unpopular positions and will never assign a task which she is unwilling to perform herself.

The letters of nomination are also littered with adjectives such as "selfless," "dedicated," "passionate," and "professional."

"Debbie's dedication is far above the norm, and always appreciated. Her attention to detail and genuine concern for both the juveniles and employees in her charge is in every way commendable," Commissioner Lewis Rich said in his nomination letter.