Ten professionals working in the juvenile justice system in Ventura County were honored Tuesday for their work and dedication.

The county's chief probation officer, Karen Staples, described the honorees as "the ones who are in the trenches" during the 11th annual awards luncheon organized by the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission.

Donald Coleman, the presiding judge of Ventura County juvenile court, thanked the commission, a civilian oversight committee that monitors the county's juvenile justice system, for "recognizing those who wouldn't otherwise get any recognition."

The event, held in the outdoor dining area of the Juvenile Justice Center in El Rio, was also attended by Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach and Assistant Chief Mike Matlock and county schools Superintendent Stan Mantooth.

Those on hand to receive their Outstanding Service Awards were:

- Senior Deputy Probation Officer Andy Villegas, for "his commitment, dedication and excellent job performance" as coordinator of the Volunteers in Probation, life skills, job readiness and search, and organized athletic programs.

- Corrections Services Officer Ernie Robledo, for his "countless hours" each year working with those in juvenile facilities to create a garden exhibit for the Ventura County Fair.

- Angelina DeLeon, secretary at the juvenile detention facility's Providence School, for being a "unifying force on the school staff."

- Deputy Public Defender Lara Anderson, for her dedication in going "above and beyond the call of duty" to help young people in trouble.

- Public health nurse Debbie Miller, for her "important role in delivering intensive public health nursing interventions for those in the juvenile facility."

- Monica Aguirre, Kattya Manning and Robert Mendoza, clinicians in the Adelante Mental Health Court program, for their "dedication" and "compassion" in providing in-home services across the county.

Honorees who could not attend the luncheon were:

- Martha Garcia, independent living program supervisor with the county Children and Family Services Department.

- Deputy District Attorney Gene Kinsey, the lead prosecutor assigned to a program designed to reduce school truancy.

The commission also acknowledged the work of two organizations: the Oxnard Police Activities League, an after-school program aimed at young people 7 to 18; and the R.M. Pyles Boys Camp, located in Sequoia National Forest.