A Message From the Director

Happy new year to each of you. The 85th Legislative Session has begun and lawmakers have already begun meeting on a number of priority items. In addition to juvenile justice issues that are important to us all, a primary focus will be on the state’s budget. Recent estimates by the Comptroller have revealed that lawmakers will have approximately $104.87 billion of revenue available for state services during the next biennium, or about $3 billion less than the previous biennium. We should see the introduced state-wide budget very soon and, while it is informative, it is only a starting point. Although the budget will be tight, I continue to be optimistic in the Legislature’s support of TJJD, our county probation partners and for our future. The process is long and we will not know the outcome for quite some time.

I am pleased to welcome new board members to TJJD’s leadership. At the same time, we will certainly feel the loss of four very special former members whose terms have expired – Jane King, Dr. Rene Olvera, Laura Parker and Calvin Stephens. These four have been a part of the TJJD board since the agency’s creation in 2011. They served during a time of consolidation and transition and have provided guidance, oversight, passion and leadership. Their work has often been arduous and unrecognized by those outside the juvenile justice system. Through their efforts, TJJD has implemented numerous improvements and has achieved a greater stability. On behalf of the agency’s staff, please accept my sincere thanks for your service to TJJD and the youth of our state.

Each January, TJJJD joins with the rest of our nation in celebrating National Mentoring Month. Mentors have a profound and transformative role in the lives of each young person they assist. TJJD’s mentors work with youth who are often very difficult to reach. This month, 125 youth are matched with mentors, approximately 7 percent of our total youth population. Since FY 2014, 815 youth have been matched with a mentor with 369 youth having a mentor match lasting 180 days or more. Youth with long-term mentor matches have significantly better outcomes than their peers without mentors, with lower recidivism rates and great academic achievement. TJJD is especially grateful to all our mentors and we are seeking additional fund to help us bolster our mentorship program. It is also rewarding to see that many of our county partners across the state, from Angelina to Cameron to Dallas to Williamson and many more, have mentor programs that enrich their youth and programs.

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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