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Juvenile Justice Training Academy Implements New Legislative Training Initiative for Juvenile Correctional Officers

This past legislative session, House Bill 2372 (84R) reduced the number of initial training hours juvenile correctional officers must receive from 300 to 240 prior to being considered eligible to provide sole-supervision, or when an officer independently has the ability to supervise youth alone.  An additional 60 hours of training is still required within the first year of employment.  As of October 1, TJJD began implementing this new schedule.

In anticipation of this legislation moving forward, there were several primary areas of focus when discussing how the agency trains new hires to ensure a successful transition to meeting the objectives of this bill that included:
  • improving the quality of training (curriculum and delivery);
  • adding additional on-the-job training;
  • adding a coaching and mentoring component;
  • making training more realistic; and
  • making training more learner centered (versus lecture based).

By reducing the number of required hours up front, it allows for a JCO to become sole supervised after six weeks, if they have successfully completed all required training, versus the legacy eight weeks.  In addition, JCOs are now hired only once a month and will receive required core life and safety courses, along with de-escalation techniques, before receiving any on-the-job training. This will help ensure the safety of both staff and youth.

This revised schedule has been a collaborative effort between the Juvenile Justice Training Academy, State Programs and Facilities, Education Services, Superintendents and senior leadership within the agency.  The transition to this new training program is significant for the agency and will likely incur some growing pangs as the agency determines how to enhance the overall training program for new hires and tenured staff alike.  This initiative is another sign that TJJD is continually moving forward to demonstrate our passion and dedication to improving retention and creating a better trained staff and a safer environment for our youth.

For additional information on this training initiative, please contact Kristy Almager at 512.490.7125 or Chris Ellison at 512.490.7245.

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