Skip to main content

TJJD Administrators Named Center for Juvenile Justice Reform Fellows

Seven Texas Juvenile Justice Department administrators were recently selected as Center for Juvenile Justice Reform (CJJR) Fellows by the Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy in Washington, D.C.  The eight are TJJD Board Member and 386th District Juvenile Court Judge Laura Parker, Director of Secure Facility Operations Thomas Adamski, Chief of Staff Chelsea Buchholtz, Director of Treatment Services Madeleine Byrne, General Counsel Jill Mata, Director of Youth Placement and Program Development Rebecca Walters, and Senior Director of Probation and Community Services James Williams.

Members of the TJJD team attended the Youth in Custody Certificate Program hosted by the CJJR in July 2015 and were admitted to the CJJR Fellows Network in October 2015.  While in Washington, D.C., the team presented its proposed “Capstone Project.”  This project, which CJJR approved, seeks to improve the flexibility of youth scheduling and improve treatment services for youth in custody.

“This Capstone Project aims to improve services for youth involved in the juvenile justice system,” said Shay Bilchik, Director of CJJR. “Perhaps most importantly, the project has the potential to provide individualized services for youth with high level of treatment needs while in custody, thereby providing for improved public safety.”

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, located at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, advances a balanced, multi-systems approach to reducing juvenile delinquency that promotes positive child and youth development, while also holding youth accountable.  The Center works to focus the nation's juvenile justice and related systems of care on the key principles embodied in an evidence-based juvenile justice reform agenda, utilizing a multi-systems approach.

Popular posts from this blog

McFadden Sends Youth Home with Backpack of 'Hope'

By Y. Denise Caldwell Community Resource Coordinator, Northern District Parole Office FLOWER MOUND, Texas - Larry Bossaler, McFadden volunteer  McFadden Ranch Volunteer Larry Bossaler enjoys his assignment: Making sure that every youth who leaves the McFadden halfway house knows that people are praying for him and wishing him the best in his future. He is the man who brings them their “Good-Bye” backpack.    When he delivers the backpacks, he makes sure to do three things – visit with the youth, show the contents of the backpack (because staff put them in the lockers until the youth leaves),   and lastly close the visit with a heartfelt prayer. The youth enjoy and appreciate the backpack, the visit and the prayer. Many are a little anxious and scared to leave but knowing that the McFadden volunteers care enough to send them off in this special way, helps them feel a bit less worried. “I always bring an extra backpack,” Larry said. ...
Read more

IN MEMORY AND APPRECIATION: Trayce Haynes Alexander

Trayce Haynes Alexander, of Cat Spring, Texas passed away in April.  She was a JCO IV at the Giddings State School and began her employment with the Texas Youth Commission on January 5, 2009, as a JCO III.  She was promoted to a JCO IV on April 1, 2010.  Trayce was a hardworking, loyal and dedicated staff member and friend.  Her number one priority was the youth in her dorm and she would drive one hour and forty minutes everyday (even in ill health) to try to make a difference in the lives of the youth she worked with. She was well respected by both staff and youth due to her extraordinary work ethic.  The boys could always depend on her to hold them accountable. She is survived by her husband Geoff Alexander and two daughters, Kristyn and Robyn Alexander. Trayce was born on September 3, 1952.  She earned a BS from Southwest Texas State University in Law Enforcement.
Read more

The House of Eli

Situated on a quiet corner lot in a Sherman, Texas neighborhood is a turn-of-the-century home recently renovated to its former grandeur. And just as the house has undergone a renewal, those living inside the house are engaged their own transformations. House of Eli, Inc. is a transitional living home for boys ages 17-21. The driving force behind the home is Tawni Hodge, the home’s executive director and visionary who has discovered an outlet for her concern for young men in difficult situations. Hodge has a passion and expertise in working with young men from her years as a foster parent and her experiences as a chaplain working with juvenile services. Her vision of a home where young men could grow spiritually and emotionally, learn life skills and make lifelong family connections was enough to convince local community and business leaders to provide the necessary resources to make House of Eli a reality. Guidance is provided by Hodge, two additional house parents, and two...
Read more