TJJD Implements Human Trafficking Course for All Direct Care Staff in February

Human trafficking has been a prominent training topic in Texas and nationally for several years, a trend likely to continue as more information and statistics become available on trafficking and exploitation, especially related to children. Over the last few years, TJJD and local juvenile probation departments have worked with a number of entities including the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Traffick911, Allies Against Slavery, and International Hope, to seek professional development in this area as a proactive measure for staff to enhance awareness and responsivity to the needs of these youth in our system.

State legislation mandated human trafficking training for all juvenile correctional officers, along with trauma informed care training. TJJD curriculum developers recently completed a new 2-hour human trafficking course that will be implemented into the new hire schedule for all incoming juvenile correctional officers beginning in February. This course is an introduction to human trafficking where a discussion of definitions and terms, myths and facts, and characters and processes are provided. This course also instructs staff on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of victims or traffickers within TJJD facilities as well as the reporting processes once they have been identified. In addition to providing this new course to all new hires, TJJD will also provide this training to all tenured staff. Juvenile probation departments may request this training at any time by the Juvenile Justice Training Academy, or while coordinating regional training.

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

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. “In case a youth i

McFadden Ranch High School Graduates Honored

DENTON, Texas -- The Kiwanis Club of Denton recognized nine youth from McFadden Ranch who earned their high school diploma or equivalency by inviting them to their April 17 noon meeting and luncheon where they were awarded $50 each for their trust fund. Spearheaded by JCO IV Gregory Winn, a longstanding member of the Kiwanis Club of Denton, the event was truly memorable for the youth who attended. They heard a motivational and moving presentation by Texas Rep. Pat Fallon, who completed the Greatest Endurance Challenge – the World Marathon Challenge – tackling seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He took the challenge after being inspired by Jonny Wade, a 7-year-old boy who battled pediatric cancer and had only one wish – ‘that no other kid ever gets cancer.’ Wade’s death led to the creation of Pediatric Cancer Foundation for which Fallon raised over $250,000 so far. Fallon, who represents a portion of Denton County, said the takeaway from his experience is that we

Teamwork Leads to Arrest Without Incident

GAINESVILLE, Texas – Late at night on July 21, a young man escaped from the Gainesville State School, and an exceptional team effort ensured that he was found the very next day. Employees from TJJD State Programs, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, local law enforcement, and TJJD Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigators from Gainesville, Brownwood, Mart, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin all answered the call that night. Sgt. Gabriel Medellin was contacted at approximately 2:00 a.m., on July 22. He left San Antonio for Gainesville at approximately 6:00 a.m. to meet with other investigators and begin searching for the youth. At approximately 12:25 p.m., Sgt. Medellin observed a male walking down a highway in Gainesville who matched the description of the youth. Sgt. Medellin made contact, confirmed his identity, and made the arrest without incident. He was assisted by OIG Sergeants Walker Willey (Ron Jackson) and Tom Hamilton (Mart). OIG Chief Forrest Mitchell s

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